World-to-chip microfluidic interface with built-in valves for multichamber chip-based PCR assays

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Technology
• Biotechnology and Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Commercialization of microfluidic systems is hindered by unreliable world-to-chip interconnections.
• Existing interfaces often suffer from leakage, dead volume, and contamination issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a practical, reliable, and cost-effective microfluidic interfacing method.
• To enable seamless sample loading and sealing for microscale assays.
• To address the challenge of leakage in microfluidic interconnections.

Main Methods:

• Development of a microfluidic interface featuring integrated valves.
• Leakage tests conducted at 100°C for 30 minutes on 100 microchambers.
• Design and implementation of a four-chamber microscale PCR chip.

Main Results:

• Zero detectable leakage flow observed during high-temperature testing of 100 microchambers.
• Successful demonstration of the interface's utility in microscale PCR assays.
• Achieved a 100% success rate for PCR assays with no contamination or leakage failures.

Conclusions:

• A simple, inexpensive, and robust microfluidic interfacing system has been developed.
• The system offers no dead volume, no leakage flow, and excellent biochemical compatibility.
• This interface facilitates reliable sample loading and sealing for microscale chip-based assays.