Microfluidic cap-to-dispense (μCD): a universal microfluidic–robotic interface for automated pipette-free high-precision liquid handling

Wang, Jingjing; Ka, Deng; Zhou, Chuqing; Fang, Zecong; Meyer, Conary; Deshpande, Kaustubh; Li, Zhihao; Mi, Xianqiang; Luo, Qian; Hammock, Bruce D.; Tan, Cheemeng; Chen, Yan; Pan, Tingrui

doi:10.1039/c9lc00622b

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…218,221 In one related study, an MCB was used to control valves in a microfluidic−robotic interface for automated pipet-free highprecision liquid handling (Figure 17I). 448 The device incorporated a custom-made pneumatically driven microfluidic dispensing cap for microcentrifuge tubes. It also utilized a commercially available robotic arm 449 with a parallel gripper consisting of two fingers to tightly hold the dispensing cap.…”

Section: Robots and Drones For Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A custom-made MCB based on the Arduino architecture and two mini solenoid valves controlled the pneumatic system. 448 The device achieved accurate refilling and dispensing with submillisecond resolutionresulting in the release of nanoliter dropletsdue to the precise control of the programmable pneumatic drive into the two opposite sides of the microfluidic cap. The device also incorporated a machine-vision module, which enabled the robotic arm to identify and locate the microcentrifuge tube containing reagent using an associated quick response (QR) code.…”

Section: Robots and Drones For Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In one related study, an MCB was used to control valves in a microfluidic–robotic interface for automated pipet-free high-precision liquid handling (Figure I) . The device incorporated a custom-made pneumatically driven microfluidic dispensing cap for microcentrifuge tubes.…”

Section: Application Of Electronic Modules In Chemistry Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It also utilized a commercially available robotic arm with a parallel gripper consisting of two fingers to tightly hold the dispensing cap. A custom-made MCB based on the Arduino architecture and two mini solenoid valves controlled the pneumatic system . The device achieved accurate refilling and dispensing with sub-millisecond resolutionresulting in the release of nanoliter dropletsdue to the precise control of the programmable pneumatic drive into the two opposite sides of the microfluidic cap.…”

Section: Application Of Electronic Modules In Chemistry Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elevating Chemistry Research with a Modern Electronics Toolkit

Prabhu

Urban

2020

Chem. Rev.

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With the rapid development of high technology, chemical science is not as it used to be a century ago. Many chemists acquire and utilize skills that are well beyond the traditional definition of chemistry. The digital age has transformed chemistry laboratories. One aspect of this transformation is the progressing implementation of electronics and computer science in chemistry research. In the past decade, numerous chemistry-oriented studies have benefited from the implementation of electronic modules, including microcontroller boards (MCBs), single-board computers (SBCs), professional grade control and data acquisition systems, as well as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In particular, MCBs and SBCs provide good value for money. The application areas for electronic modules in chemistry research include construction of simple detection systems based on spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry principles, customizing laboratory devices for automation of common laboratory practices, control of reaction systems (batch- and flow-based), extraction systems, chromatographic and electrophoretic systems, microfluidic systems (classical and nonclassical), custom-built polymerase chain reaction devices, gas-phase analyte detection systems, chemical robots and drones, construction of FPGA-based imaging systems, and the Internet-of-Chemical-Things. The technology is easy to handle, and many chemists have managed to train themselves in its implementation. The only major obstacle in its implementation is probably one’s imagination.

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Section: Robots and Drones For Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Robots and Drones For Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Application Of Electronic Modules In Chemistry Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Application Of Electronic Modules In Chemistry Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Elevating Chemistry Research with a Modern Electronics Toolkit

Prabhu

Urban

2020

Chem. Rev.

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“…More precisely, this difficulty relates primarily to the precision that is required in the movement of the thumb, which must exert an extremely controlled pressure, and secondly to the precision of the positioning of the tip and the control of the tremor. Today, the market offers various devices to partially or completely automate the filling of microfluidic devices, ranging from automated pipette discharge systems (e.g., electronic pipette) to automated loading systems (e.g., pipetting robots) [ 27 , 28 ]. However, these solutions are expensive and not always accessible to all the laboratories.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Microfluidic Trainer: Design, Fabrication and Validation of a Tool for Testing and Improving Manual Skills

et al. 2020

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Microfluidic principles have been widely applied for more than 30 years to solve biological and micro-electromechanical problems. Despite the numerous advantages, microfluidic devices are difficult to manage as their handling comes with several technical challenges. We developed a new portable tool, the microfluidic trainer (MT), that assesses the operator handling skills and that may be used for maintaining or improving the ability to inject fluid in the inlet of microfluidic devices for in vitro cell culture applications. After several tests, we optimized the MT tester cell to reproduce the real technical challenges of a microfluidic device. In addition to an exercise path, we included an overfilling indicator and a correct infilling indicator at the inlet (control path). We manufactured the MT by engraving a 3 mm-high sheet of methacrylate with 60W CO2 laser plotter to create multiple capillary paths. We validated the device by enrolling 21 volunteers (median age 33) to fill both the MT and a commercial microfluidic device. The success rate obtained with MT significantly correlated with those of a commercial microfluidic culture plate, and its 30 min-continuous use for three times significantly improved the performance. Overall, our data demonstrate that MT is a valid assessment tool of individual performances in using microfluidic devices and may represent a low-cost solution to training, improve or warm up microfluidic handling skills.

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