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Microfluidic Passive Flow Regulatory Device with an Integrated Check Valve for Enhanced Flow Control
Xinjie Zhang1,2, Zhenyu Zhang3
1College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou 213022, China. xj.zhang@hhu.edu.cn.
Micromachines
|October 2, 2019
Summary
This study introduces a passive microfluidic device for precise liquid flow control. It integrates flow regulation and check valves, ensuring stable forward flow and preventing backflow, ideal for portable Lab-on-a-Chip applications.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Passive microvalves offer cost-effective solutions for miniaturized microfluidic systems.
- Accurate flow control is crucial for Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a passive flow regulatory device for enhanced microfluidic flow control.
- To integrate flow regulating and check valve functionalities into a single microfluidic device.
Main Methods:
- 3D Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation to analyze flow regulating valve performance.
- Prototype fabrication using 3D printing and UV laser cutting.
- Experimental measurement of flow rates under varied pressures in forward and reverse modes.
Main Results:
- The device achieved a stable forward flow rate of 0.42 ± 0.02 mL/s between 70-130 kPa inlet pressure.
- Effective on/off liquid control was demonstrated, with zero backward leakage up to 200 kPa.
- Key parameters influencing flow rate, including channel dimensions and material properties, were identified.
Conclusions:
- The passive microfluidic flow regulatory device provides accurate and stable flow control.
- The device is suitable for low-cost, portable Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) applications.
- The integrated design enhances functionality for microfluidic systems.
