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Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

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Published on: October 1, 2007

Cooperative suction by vertical capillary array pump for controlling flow profiles of microfluidic sensor chips.

Tsutomu Horiuchi¹, Katsuyoshi Hayashi, Michiko Seyama

¹NTT Microsystem Integration Laboratories, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Morinosato-Wakamiya, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa 2430198, Japan. horiuchi.tsutomu@lab.ntt.co.jp

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)

|December 4, 2012

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Researchers developed a novel passive pump for microfluidic chips using integrated vertical capillaries. This innovative design achieves a consistent flow rate without external power, improving fluid dynamics in microfluidic applications.

Area of Science:

Microfluidics
Fluid Dynamics
Biotechnology

Background:

Microfluidic devices often require external power sources for fluid manipulation.
Traditional capillary-driven flow in microfluidics can lead to rapidly decreasing flow rates.
Achieving consistent and controllable flow is crucial for many microfluidic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a passive pumping mechanism for microfluidic chips.
To enhance flow volume and flow rate in microfluidic systems.
To achieve a quasi-steady flow rate without external power.

Main Methods:

Integrated vertical capillaries into a microfluidic chip.
Connected capillary bottoms to a thin-layer channel with depth smaller than capillary radius.

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Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Published on: October 1, 2007

High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices

High Speed Droplet-based Delivery System for Passive Pumping in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: September 2, 2009

A Microfluidic-based Hydrodynamic Trap for Single Particles

A Microfluidic-based Hydrodynamic Trap for Single Particles

Published on: January 21, 2011

Analyzed cooperative fluid drawing by capillaries for maximum suction efficiency.

Main Results:

Developed a passive pump with excellent flow volume and flow rate.
Achieved cooperative fluid drawing by integrated capillaries.
Realized a quasi-steady flow rate with minimal variation.
Demonstrated operation without external power or complex mechanisms.

Conclusions:

The integrated vertical capillary passive pump offers a significant advancement in microfluidic fluid handling.
This technology provides a power-free solution for achieving stable and efficient fluid flow.
The cooperative capillary action maximizes suction efficiency, overcoming limitations of traditional capillary flow.