Manipulation of fluid flow direction in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices with an ionogel negative passive pump

Abstract

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are relatively new group of analytical tools that represent an innovative low-cost platform technology for fluid handling and analysis, enabling simple fabrication/operation and equipment independence and provide a wide range of applications. Nonetheless, µPADs lack in the effective handling and controlling of fluids, which leads to a main drawback for their reproducibility in large volumes during manufacturing, their transition from laboratory into the market and thus accessibility by the end-users. Herein we investigate the applicability of ionogel materials based on a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel with the 1-ethyl-3methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ionic liquid as fluid flow manipulator in µPADs using the ionogel as a negative passive pump to control the flow direction in the device. A big challenge undertook by this contribution is the integration of the ionogel materials into the µPADs. Finally, the characterisation and the performance of the ionogel as a negative passive pump were demonstrated.

Advances in passively driven microfluidics and lab-on-chip devices: a comprehensive literature review and patent analysis

“…176 Akyazi et al developed a new concept for uid ow manipulation in micro paper-based analytical devices (PADs), where the ionogel (considered to be a negative passive pump) could drive uids by the swelling effect, which controlled the ow direction and volume to the outlet. 177 Frimat et al described a new single-cell trapping procedure within the micro sieve electrode array (SEA) through capillary phenomena for an organized positioning of neurons to produce higher biocompatibility. Mei et al developed a capillary-based open microuidic device (COMD) for monodispersed droplet generation, from gas bubbles to highly viscous polymer solutions to provide high throughput in industrial emulsication.…”

Integrated Magnetohydrodynamic Pump with Magnetic Composite Substrate and Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes

“…A piezoelectric titanium fluidic pump was reported in [ 3 ] for implantable medical applications. In [ 4 ], a passive ionogel pump was used to control fluid flow in a micropaper analytic device for low-cost analytical applications. A traveling wave electroosmotic pump implemented using CMOS technology is presented in [ 5 ], which is capable of pumping diluted human serum for in vitro diagnostic systems.…”

Enhanced passive mixing for paper microfluidics

“…Traditionally, paper-based tests provided mainly qualitative, binary information, or semi-quantitative results at best. Recent advances in paper microuidics have raised the expectations, with many different functionalities, such as pumps, [14][15][16] timers, 17,18 valves, [19][20][21][22] gradient generators 23,24 and lters 25 being developed. The level of commercialization of paper-based devices, however, is still low, in spite of the above-mentioned merits.…”