title: Modular fluidic resistors to enable widely tunable flow rate and fluidic switching period in a microfluidic oscillator.
abstract: Microfluidic systems with modular components are attractive alternatives to monolithically integrated microfluidic systems because of their flexibility. In this study, we apply the modular concept on a water-head-pressure-driven microfluidic oscillator and obtain a widely tunable flow rate and fluidic switching period. Modular fluidic resistors can be easily mounted onto and demounted from a main chip by means of plastic male connectors. The connectors enable a leak-free connection between the modular resistors and main chip (leakage pressure > 140 kPa). With modular resistors, we show independent control of the flow rate and flow switching period of the oscillator system in a wide range (2.5 s-6.4 h and 2 μL/min-2 mL/min). This modular approach can be used to enhance the flexibility of instruction-embedded microfluidic circuits in which their operational range is limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Van Bac
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008956:Models, Chemical
chemical_list: D005505:Food Coloring Agents
keywords: Flow rate; Fluidic resistance; Microfluidic circuit; Module; Oscillation