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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays
18:11

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Published on: October 1, 2007

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Getting started with open-hardware: development and control of microfluidic devices.

Eric Tavares da Costa1, Maria F Mora, Peter A Willis

  • 1Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Electrophoresis
|May 15, 2014
PubMed
Summary

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Researchers can now control microfluidic valves with a low-cost, open-source hardware and software system. This platform enables precise fluid handling for chemical analysis, offering a reproducible solution for laboratory automation.

Area of Science:

  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Microfluidics

Background:

  • University chemistry curricula often lack electronics and programming, hindering effective use of lab equipment.
  • Existing platforms for general public use are not tailored for scientific research needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce fundamental hardware and software concepts for laboratory researchers.
  • To design and demonstrate a simple module for controlling polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microvalves.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a low-cost microprocessor (Teensy) and open-source software (Arduino) for module control.
  • Fabricated microvalves using PDMS sheets patterned with CO2 laser engraving, avoiding traditional photolithography.
  • Developed synchronized valve control for injection and solution mixing functionalities.
Keywords:
Open-sourcePDMSValves

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays
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Microfluidic Chips Controlled with Elastomeric Microvalve Arrays

Published on: October 1, 2007

20.8K
Rapid Fabrication of Custom Microfluidic Devices for Research and Educational Applications
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Rapid Fabrication of Custom Microfluidic Devices for Research and Educational Applications

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8.1K
Development of New Therapeutic Applications Using Microfluidics
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Main Results:

  • Successfully created devices for precise liquid injection (1.6 ± 0.4 μL/stroke) and mixing.
  • Demonstrated on-chip acid-base titration and conductivity detection using an open-source system.
  • Achieved a highly reproducible (98%) fluid delivery platform at the microfluidic scale.

Conclusions:

  • The developed system offers an accessible and cost-effective solution for microfluidic control in research.
  • This approach simplifies microfluidic device fabrication and operation, enhancing experimental capabilities.
  • The platform demonstrates significant potential for automated microscale chemical sample handling and analysis.