Novel PDMS-Based Sensor System for MPWM Measurements of Picoliter Volumes in Microfluidic Devices

Abstract

In order for automatic microinjection to serve biomedical and genetic research, we have designed and manufactured a PDMS-based sensor with a circular section channel using the microwire molding technique. For the very precise control of microfluidic transport, we developed a microfluidic pulse width modulation system (MPWM) for automatic microinjections at a picoliter level. By adding a computer-aided detection and tracking of fluid-specific elements in the microfluidic circuit, the PDMS microchannel sensor became the basic element in the automatic control of the microinjection sensor. With the PDMS microinjection sensor, we precise measured microfluidic volumes under visual detection, assisted by very precise computer equipment (with precision below 1 μm) based on image processing. The calibration of the MPWM system was performed to increase the reproducibility of the results and to detect and measure microfluidic volumes. The novel PDMS-based sensor system for MPWM measurements of microfluidic volumes contributes to the advancement of intelligent control methods and techniques, which could lead to new developments in the design, control, and in applications of real-time intelligent sensor system control.

Advanced Intelligent Control through Versatile Intelligent Portable Platforms

“…The advanced intelligent control methods and techniques, which could lead to new concepts and designs in the development of the real-time intelligent sensory control systems, is approached in a novel PDMS-based sensor system for MPWM measurements of picoliter volumes in microfluidic devices [ 12 ]. An automatic microinjection system, by integrating a sensor based on image processing of the fluid that flows through microchannels using the microwire molding technique realized with the technique known as microwire-molding, was designing and achieved, validating the concept of the sensor that measures fluid volumes at picolitric levels or lower.…”

Microfluidic Devices and Microfluidics-Integrated Electrochemical and Optical (Bio)Sensors for Pollution Analysis: A Review

“…One of these solutions is the use of microfluidic devices and microfluidics-integrated (electrochemical/optical) biosensors for pollution analysis to obtain a quick, accurate, reliable response and rapid diagnosis [9,[15][16][17]. The microfluidic devices allow the integration and miniaturization of an entire laboratory on a very small scale, allowing their integration in a simple and portable system [16], with the advantage of significantly reducing the consumption of reagents, energy, time, and money [15].…”

“…Manipulating nano-, pico-, or femtoliter volumes of fluids [15], microchannels serve as electronics, sensors, valves, pipes, and other structures [16,18]. These structures integrated into systems can perform analyses (or other laboratory processes) on a chip called a "labon-a-chip" in the range of millimetric dimensions [15,16].…”

Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewaters: A Challenge from Current Treatment Methods to Nanotechnology Applications

“…Besides water pollution from industries, there is corrosion, which is also an electrochemical process that contaminates the water with heavy metals coming from the metal plumbing, usually Pb. Miniaturization of electronics and devices is the driving force in the development of integrated nanostructures [ 8 , 9 ].…”