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Electrically-Actuated Valves for Woven Fabric Lateral Flow Devices.
Tanya Narahari1, Dhananjaya Dendukuri2, Shashi K Murthy1,3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University , 360 Huntington Avenue, 313 Snell Engineering Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 25, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed active chemical valves for low-cost biosensors using polypyrrole-coated yarns. This innovation enables precise fluid control in lateral flow devices, improving assay sensitivity and enabling point-of-care applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Integrating flow control into low-cost biosensors is challenging.
- Existing methods often lack scalability or cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and integrate active, chemical valves into lateral flow devices.
- To utilize a scalable, weaving-based manufacturing approach for valve fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of valves using polypyrrole-coated yarns via a single-step weaving process.
- Stimulation of valves in situ using integrated electrodes and electrochemical potentials.
- Characterization of valve response to electrical potential, duration, and polymer composition (FeCl3 concentration).
Main Results:
- Achieved complete ON/OFF flow control at 20 V.cm⁻¹, within 120 s, using 0.1 M iron (iii) chloride.
- Demonstrated practical utility with a Lowry protein assay, improving sensitivity and linear range.
- Identified iron (iii) chloride concentration as a key parameter for tuning polymer wetting properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed polypyrrole-based valves are easily integrated into point-of-care lateral flow devices.
- The weaving-based manufacturing approach offers scalability for complex channel geometries.
- This technology significantly enhances biosensor performance and opens avenues for advanced diagnostics.
