An on-chip air-bursting detonator for driving fluids on disposable lab-on-a-chip systems

Abstract

A new fluidic delivery system for driving fluids on disposable lab-on-a-chip systems using an air-bursting detonator device has been designed, fabricated and successfully characterized in this paper for driving fluid on disposable lab-on-a-chip or point-of-care testing. The disposable air-bursting detonator device uses a pressurized gas source, sealed in a microcavity with a thermoplastic membrane. A microheater positioned on the thermoplastic membrane is used as an electro-thermal heater to melt the sealing membrane thus releasing the pressurized gas to the integrated microfluidic system. The pressurized gas drives liquid samples through designated microfluidic channels. Both air pressure and detonating temperature are adjustable to get the desired driving pressure responses. A 40 mW electrical power pulse applied to the microheater for 700 ms resulted in releasing 650 µJ of stored pneumatic energy in the microcavity and driving a 500 nl sample through the microchannels of an integrated test system. The dynamic pressure response of the fabricated air-bursting detonator has been fully simulated and characterized. Due to its compact structure and fast response, the air-bursting detonator device will be a promising alternative power source to drive fluid samples in disposable lab-on-a-chip systems or portable clinical diagnostic kits.

A portable pressure pump for microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems using a porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sponge

“…However, previous micropumps should be integrated with external power or energy in operation, such as on-line electrical power or off-line batteries. These power or energy devices increase the cost and have many technical difficulties for fabrication and installation (Hong et al 2007).…”

Microsystem Technologies for Biomedical Applications

“…Then, an UV exposure step polymerizes the liquid SU-8 inside the control channel to seal hermetically the chamber which is pressurized and ready for use. The stored pneumatic energy of the gas inside the chamber is expressed as follows, Hong et al (2007). where P 1 is the absolute pressure of the gas in the chamber, V 1 is the volume of the gas in the chamber and P F is the final pressure after the opening process (normally, it will be ambient pressure).…”

Fundamentals of Microfluidics Devices

“…Release of the gas using localized heaters as detonators drives the fluids through the plastic chip. 30,31 However, these microfluidic chips are designed primarily for single use.…”