Fabrication and testing of hydrogel-based microvalves for flow control in flexible lab-on-a-chip systems

Ang Li; Jonathan Lee; Bonnie L. Gray; Paul C. H. Li

doi:10.1117/12.910239

14 February 2012 Fabrication and testing of hydrogel-based microvalves for flow control in flexible lab-on-a-chip systems

Ang Li, Jonathan Lee, Bonnie L. Gray, Paul C. H. Li

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8251, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems X; 82510Z (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.910239
Event: SPIE MOEMS-MEMS, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Due to the ease of fabrication and localized response to stimulus (pH, ionic strength, or heat), many researchers have employed stimuli-responsive hydrogels such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) as excellent biocompatible materials for microfluidic actuators. We have previously presented the design and fabrication of a mechanically flexible diaphragm-based actuator by employing a reservoir of thermally responsive hydrogel PNIPAAm and a conductive nanocomposite polymer (C-NCP) heater element. We now present the construction, characterization, and simulation of a hydrogel-based microvalve and its application for flow control with a new inexpensive and efficient flexible heater. In this work, we have fabricated the microvalve using traditional microfabrication and soft lithography processes. We accurately pattern and insert the hydrogel plug structure as a fluidic control component within a microfluidic channel. We demonstrate that swelling and shrinking of the hydrogel plug in the microchannel results in closing and opening of the valve. New simulations of the hydrogel plug design were employed using COMSOL® Multiphysics to show the pressure distribution and hydrogel plug movement as well as fluidic velocity in the simulated channel. We then compare the theoretical computed value with the prediction of the COMSOL simulation result which verifies the functionality of our hydrogel plug microvalve design.

Citation Download Citation

Ang Li, Jonathan Lee, Bonnie L. Gray, and Paul C. H. Li "Fabrication and testing of hydrogel-based microvalves for flow control in flexible lab-on-a-chip systems", Proc. SPIE 8251, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems X, 82510Z (14 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.910239

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available