Microfluidic Large-Scale Integration

Abstract

We developed high-density microfluidic chips that contain plumbing networks with thousands of micromechanical valves and hundreds of individually addressable chambers. These fluidic devices are analogous to electronic integrated circuits fabricated using large-scale integration. A key component of these networks is the fluidic multiplexor, which is a combinatorial array of binary valve patterns that exponentially increases the processing power of a network by allowing complex fluid manipulations with a minimal number of inputs. We used these integrated microfluidic networks to construct the microfluidic analog of a comparator array and a microfluidic memory storage device whose behavior resembles random-access memory.

Continuous perfusion microfluidic cell culture array for high-throughput cell-based assays

“…The addition of on-chip enzymatic electrodes for metabolic monitoring (Cosnier, 2003) and microfluidic valves for fluidic control (Thorsen et al, 2002) could also further enhance the device functionalities. While the focus of this article was on a cell culture array for cell-based assays, this device could potentially benefit many areas of cell-based biomedical research.…”

3-dimensional electrode patterning within a microfluidic channel using metal ion implantation

“…Such control has been demonstrated utilizing mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical force methods. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Electrical methods require the integration of electrodes to the microfluidic chip. If an electric field is applied between two electrodes on the same plane, a nonuniform electric field distribution is formed within the channel and the directionality and adaptability of the field is limited.…”

Nanoliter scale microbioreactor array for quantitative cell biology

“…It is also possible to modify the array design such that each individual chamber has a separate outlet, allowing the collection of fluidic samples for biochemical analysis (e.g., PCR, ELISA, HPLC, mass spectroscopy). Automation of array operation and data collection can be achieved by integrating previously developed microfluidic technology, allowing massively multiplexed cell level analysis of individual cells (Hong et al, 2004;Thorsen et al, 2002). By enabling biologists with a robust method to control the fluidic environments of an array of cell culture units, the precision and accuracy of quantitative cell experiments will be greatly improved.…”