摘要:
A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.
摘要:
A microfiuidic device comprises a valve having electrically controllable wetting properties. The valve comprises a valve surface arranged in a closed valve space defined by at least the valve surface, a first liquid opening for leading a first liquid to the valve and a second liquid opening for leading a second liquid to the valve. The valve surface, in a first state, is sufficiently hydrophobic to prevent contact between the first liquid and the second liquid. The valve surface, in a second state, is sufficiently hydrophilic to allow contact between the first liquid and the second liquid. A ventilation outlet is provided for allowing gas to escape from the valve space.
摘要:
A microchip integrated microfabricated, microfluidic, multichannel, preferably electroosmotic pump and pumping system is disclosed. The electroosmotic pump of the invention comprises a plurality of microchannels, which begin and end in common compartments, complexed into an array. The microchannels within the pump have substantially identical, optimal dimensions of cross-section and length such that sufficient pressure for optimal flow of fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) and pressure is generated by the pump and flow rates are stable and reproducible. To effectuate efficient flow of fluid without the hindrance of backpressure, an electroosmotic pump of the invention is coupled to a single channel of a larger cross-section. A similar structure is also used in an electroosmotic valve of the invention, where samples are introduced into an analytical device. The microfluidic electroosmotic pumping system of the invention generates sufficient flow and pressures by optimizing the dimensional parameters of cross-section and length to the microchannels.
摘要:
A microchannel formed at the interface of two layers of material, at least one of the two materials being a substrate. A volume of the microchannel contains a film of polymer fixed by covalent bonding to the substrate layer. The film of polymer being formed from a hydrogel material susceptible to undergoing changes in volume under the action of an external stimulus. The hydrogel polymer is chosen from those which are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, electrical field or pH. A method for producing the microchannel.
摘要:
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.
摘要:
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.
摘要:
A flow analysis apparatus is disclosed. The flow analysis apparatus has at least one wicking channel fluidically coupled to an absorbent pump. A wicking valve is fluidically coupled to the wicking channel to provide a fluidic connection to the sample source where opening the wicking valve allows the absorbent pump to cause liquid to flow down the wicking channel toward the absorbent pump. Other similar wicking valves can be added to provide functions such as calibration and reagent addition. A detection unit allows for analysis of the liquid as it flows down the wicking channel.
摘要:
An electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) is provided. The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) comprises a layered assembly (110) comprised of a dielectric layer (120) disposed between a first plate (130) and a second plate (140). The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) also includes a first fluid port (130a, 130b) formed in an outer surface of the layered assembly (110), and at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) comprised of an electrode (212-512) disposed between the first plate (130) and a dielectric deformable material (214-514), wherein the electrode (212-512) is attached to the dielectric deformable material (214-514). The at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) is fluidly coupled to the first fluid port (130a, 130b) via a fluid path (127, 128) in the dielectric layer (120) and the electrode (212-512) is coupled to a connector (150) that extends away from the layered assembly (110) in a direction parallel to the dielectric layer (120).
摘要:
A polymeric housing may have a channel defined therein. A first conductive trace may at least partially coincide with the channel. A first wire may have a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating jacket. The first conductor may be in electrical communication with the first conductive trace. A jacket bonding region of the first jacket may be welded to a housing bonding region of the housing. The jacket bonding region and the housing bonding region may be formed from a common type of polymer.
摘要:
A microfluidic device includes: a shape memory substrate having a shape memory polymer matrix and a plurality of particles embedded in the shape memory polymer matrix, the shape memory polymer matrix being thermally transformable from a temporary shape to an original shape, the particles being made from a magnetically coercive material; and a microfluidic chip attached sealingly to the shape memory substrate and defining a microfluidic channel. The shape memory polymer matrix is indented inwardly to form an indented space in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel when the shape memory polymer matrix is heated to transform from the temporary shape to the original shape.