Pneumatic oscillator circuits for timing and control of integrated microfluidics

Duncan, Philip N.; Nguyen, Transon V.; Hui, Elliot E.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1310254110

Cited by 89 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Where pneumatic actuation is impractical (e.g. point-of-care), membrane-based valves could be actuated via mechanical pins 26 or piezoelectric actuators 27 , 3D-printed “pumping lids” could be used 28 , and/or autonomous fluid switching schemes could substitute computer control 29, 30 . We foresee that this first-generation prototype will be further reduced in size as the resolution of SL improves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D-printed microfluidic automation

et al. 2015

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Microfluidic automation – the automated routing, dispensing, mixing, and/or separation of fluids through microchannels – generally remains a slowly-spreading technology because device fabrication requires sophisticated facilities and the technology’s use demands expert operators. Integrating microfluidic automation in devices has involved specialized multi-layering and bonding approaches. Stereolithography is an assembly-free, 3D-printing technique that is emerging as an efficient alternative for rapid prototyping of biomedical devices. Here we describe fluidic valves and pumps that can be stereolithographically printed in optically-clear, biocompatible plastic and integrated within microfluidic devices at low cost. User-friendly fluid automation devices can be printed and used by non-engineers as replacement for costly robotic pipettors or tedious manual pipetting. Engineers can manipulate the designs as digital modules into new devices of expanded functionality. Printing these devices only requires the digital file and electronic access to a printer.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D-printed microfluidic automation

et al. 2015

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“…Inspired by octopus suckers, Follador et al (2014) recently designed a novel suction cup using DEs, and this actuator was able to produce up to 6 kPa of pressure in water with a response time of less than 300 ms. DE actuators also have been widely used in microfluidic flow control and large-scale integrated microfluidic chips. These chips consist of arrays of independently controlled pneumatic actuators that can produce pumping or valving action individually (Duncan et al, 2013;Maffli et al, 2013). DE-made actuators can significantly reduce the size of the off-chip components, being a promising candidate to replace the traditional pneumatic powered actuators (Fig.…”

Section: Propertymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanics of dielectric elastomers: materials, structures, and devices

Qian

2016

JZUS-A

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Dielectric elastomers (DEs) respond to applied electric voltage with a surprisingly large deformation, showing a promising capability to generate actuation in mimicking natural muscles. A theoretical foundation of the mechanics of DEs is of crucial importance in designing DE-based structures and devices. In this review, we survey some recent theoretical and numerical efforts in exploring several aspects of electroactive materials, with emphases on the governing equations of electromechanical coupling, constitutive laws, viscoelastic behaviors, electromechanical instability as well as actuation applications. An overview of analytical models is provided based on the representative approach of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, with computational analyses being required in more generalized situations such as irregular shape, complex configuration, and time-dependent deformation. Theoretical efforts have been devoted to enhancing the working limits of DE actuators by avoiding electromechanical instability as well as electric breakdown, and pre-strains are shown to effectively avoid the two failure modes. These studies lay a solid foundation to facilitate the use of DE materials, structures, and devices in a wide range of applications such as biomedical devices, adaptive systems, robotics, energy harvesting, etc.

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“…Although these systems are adaptable to many applications, the cost and physical footprint prohibit numerous biomedical applications in which bead functionalization is needed on a smaller scale, particularly in academic laboratories. 19–21 To address this issue, a new, low-cost liquid-handling robot was constructed to automate the attachment of biomolecules to microbeads for a variety of biotechnological applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Liquid-Handling Robot for Automated Attachment of Biomolecules to Microbeads

Enten

Yang

et al. 2016

SLAS Technology

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Diagnostics, drug delivery, and other biomedical industries rely on cross-linking ligands to microbead surfaces. Microbead functionalization requires multiple steps of liquid exchange, incubation, and mixing, which are laborious and time intensive. Although automated systems exist, they are expensive and cumbersome, limiting their routine use in biomedical laboratories. We present a small, bench-top robotic system that automates microparticle functionalization and streamlines sample preparation. The robot uses a programmable microcontroller to regulate liquid exchange, incubation, and mixing functions. Filters with a pore diameter smaller than the minimum bead diameter are used to prevent bead loss during liquid exchange. The robot uses three liquid reagents and processes up to 107 microbeads per batch. The effectiveness of microbead functionalization was compared with a manual covalent coupling process and evaluated via flow cytometry and fluorescent imaging. The mean percentages of successfully functionalized beads were 91% and 92% for the robot and manual methods, respectively, with less than 5% bead loss. Although the two methods share similar qualities, the automated approach required approximately 10 min of active labor, compared with 3 h for the manual approach. These results suggest that a low-cost, automated microbead functionalization system can streamline sample preparation with minimal operator intervention.

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Pneumatic oscillator circuits for timing and control of integrated microfluidics

Cited by 89 publications

References 28 publications

3D-printed microfluidic automation

3D-printed microfluidic automation

Mechanics of dielectric elastomers: materials, structures, and devices

A Liquid-Handling Robot for Automated Attachment of Biomolecules to Microbeads

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