Highly integrated polymeric microliquid flow controller for droplet microfluidics

Abstract

and replaceable from the external electronic and pneumatic actuators box. Functionality of the LFCS is tested by connecting it to a microfluidic droplet generator, rendering highly stable flow rates and allowing generation of monodisperse droplets over a wide range of flow rates. The results indicate the successful performance of the LFCS with significant improvements over existing LFCS devices, facing the possibility of using the system for biological applications such as generating distinct perfusion modes in cell culture, novel digital microfluidics. Moreover, the integration capabilities and the reproducible fabrication method enable straightforward transition from prototype to product in a way that is lean, cost-effective and with reduced risk.

Constant flow rate micropumping using closed-loop control of magnetically actuated nanofluid

“…For the precise control of microfluidics, closed-loop control appears to be more effective than open-loop control systems (Fu et al, 2017), due to the continuous feedback from the system output. Closed-loop control technique can be applied to various actuator types such as electrochemical (Bohm et al, 2000), piezoelectric (Gass et al, 1994), pneumatic (Etxebarria et al, 2017) and electrowetting-on-dielectric (Gong and Kim, 2008) for the precise control of the flow rate. In addition to them, controlling the magnetic actuators is an important topic, as it provides a promising approach for microfluidic systems (Zhang and Wang, 2013).…”