Characterization of Leaf-Inspired Microfluidic Chips for Pumpless Fluid Transport

doi:10.1016/S1672-6529(14)60025-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Microfluidic networks are extensively used in miniaturized lab-on-a-chip systems. However, most of the existing micro-channels are simply designed and the corresponding microfluidic systems commonly require external pumps to achieve effec-tive fluid transport. Here we employed microfabrication techniques to replicate naturally-optimized leaf venations into synthetic hydrogels for the fabrication of pumpless microfluidic chips. The unique properties of leaf-inspired microfluidic network in convectively transporting fluid were characterized at different inclination angles. Flow velocity inside these microfluidic net-works was quantitatively measured with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Mass diffusion from biomimetic microfluidic network to surrounding bulk hydrogels was investigated. The results demonstrate that the leaf-inspired microfluidic network can not only effectively transport fluid without the use of external pumps, but also facilitate rapid mass diffusion within bulk hy-drogel chips. These leaf-inspired microfluidic networks could be potentially used to engineer complex pumpless or-gan-on-a-chip systems.

Key words: leaf-inspired, microfluidic network, pumpless, lab-on-a-chip system, biomimetics

Jiankang He, Mao Mao, Dichen Li, Yaxiong Liu, Zhongmin Jin. Characterization of Leaf-Inspired Microfluidic Chips for Pumpless Fluid Transport[J].J4, 2014, 11(1): 109-114.

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