title: An active bubble trap and debubbler for microfluidic systems.
abstract: We present a novel, fully integrated microfluidic bubble trap and debubbler. The 2-layer structure, based on a PDMS valve design, utilizes a featured membrane to stop bubble progression through the device. A pneumatic chamber directly above the trap is evacuated, and the bubble is pulled out through the gas-permeable PDMS membrane. Normal device operation, including continuous flow at atmospheric pressure, is maintained during the entire trapping and debubbling process. We present a range of trap sizes, from 2 to 10 mm diameter, and can trap and remove bubbles up to 25 microL in under 3 h.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Skelley
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voldman
mesh_terms: D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon