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Finger-powered fluidic actuation and mixing via MultiJet 3D printing
Eric Sweet1, Rudra Mehta, Yifan Xu
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA. ericsweet@berkeley.edu.
Lab on a Chip
|August 9, 2020
Summary
This study introduces novel, entirely 3D printed, human-powered fluidic actuators and valves for microfluidic devices. These innovations enable portable, electricity-free operation for diverse chemical and biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Microfluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional 3D printed fluidic systems rely on external, power-intensive actuation sources, limiting portability.
- There is a need for self-contained, portable fluidic actuation for point-of-need applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop entirely 3D printed, human-powered fluidic actuation sources for sub-millifluidic and microfluidic systems.
- To enable electrical power-free operation in 3D printed fluidic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of modular, single-fluid finger-powered actuator (FPA) designs.
- Development of a novel 3D printed fluidic one-way valve with a dynamic bracing mechanism.
- Integration of FPAs into a portable, human-powered two-fluid pulsatile fluidic mixer.
Main Results:
- FPAs achieved tailorable flow rates from approximately 100 to 3000 μL min⁻¹ without electricity.
- The novel one-way valve demonstrated a high diodicity of ~1117.4, significantly reducing back-flow.
- A functional human-powered fluidic mixer was created, achieving fully mixed fluids in 10 seconds.
Conclusions:
- 3D printed human-powered actuators offer a viable solution for portable, electricity-free microfluidic systems.
- The developed components advance the integration of complex fluidic networks in 3D printed devices.
- This technology broadens the applicability of microfluidics in resource-limited or remote settings.
