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Published on: August 17, 2017
Infrared controlled waxes for liquid handling and storage on a CD-microfluidic platform
Kameel Abi-Samra1, Ryan Hanson, Marc Madou
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. kabisamr@uci.edu
Lab on a Chip
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Focused infrared radiation actuates paraffin wax plugs in microfluidic devices, enabling novel active valving and automated liquid handling for centrifugal microfluidic platforms.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Current active valving techniques in microfluidics can be complex to fabricate and operate.
- There is a need for simpler, more efficient methods for liquid handling and reagent storage on microfluidic platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel active valving technique using focused infrared (IR) radiation to actuate paraffin wax plugs in microchannels.
- To present a new method for automated liquid reagent storage and release on a centrifugal microfluidic disc platform.
Main Methods:
- Actuation of paraffin wax plugs within microchannels using a focused stationary infrared (IR) radiation source.
- Formation and removal of wax layers for automated liquid reagent storage and release on a microfluidic disc.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous or sequential opening of microchannels by forming wax plugs with controlled melting points.
- Demonstration of key advantages including simpler fabrication, easier actuation, and multiplexing capabilities for active valves.
- Successful implementation of automated liquid reagent storage and release using wax layers.
Conclusions:
- The presented IR-actuated wax plugs offer a significant advancement over existing active valving methods.
- The novel techniques facilitate improved liquid handling, separation, and storage on centrifugal microfluidic platforms.
- These advancements pave the way for more sophisticated and automated microfluidic assays and devices.
