TY - JOUR
AU - Gale, Bruce K
AB - We demonstrate a non-contact pumping mechanism for the manipulation of aqueous solutions within microfluidic devices. The method utilizes multi-layer soft lithography techniques to integrate a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane that acts as a diffusion medium for regulated air pressure and a vacuum. Pressurized microchannels filter air through the PDMS membrane due to its high gas permeability causing a pressure difference in the liquid channel and generating flow. Likewise, a vacuum can be applied to pull air through the membrane allowing the filling of dead-end channels and the removal of bubbles. Flow rates vary according to applied pressure/vacuum, membrane thickness and diffusion area. A gas permeation pump is an inexpensive alternative to other micropumps. The pump is easily integrated with highly arrayed multi-channel/chamber applications for micro-total analysis systems, fluid metering and dispensing, and drug delivery. Flow rates of 200 nl min1 have been achieved using this technique. Successful localized fluid turning at intersections, fluid metering and filling of dead-end chambers were also demonstrated.
TI - A PDMS-based gas permeation pump for on-chip fluid handling in microfluidic devices
JF - Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
DO - 10.1088/0960-1317/16/11/021
DA - 2006-11-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/iop-publishing/a-pdms-based-gas-permeation-pump-for-on-chip-fluid-handling-in-iX142ddYQs
SP - 2396
VL - 16
IS - 11
DP - DeepDyve
ER -