A novel valve for microfluidic PDMS-based systems

This paper reports on an implementation of a novel valve based on the venous valve principle for complex microfluidic networks. Strong coupled field numerical simulations were used to analyse flexible artificial micro-machined venous valves for the first time. Different designs are optimized towards a maximum pressure distribution onto the flaps of the valves to achieve a higher diodicity. The simulation illustrated mechanisms to elevate the diodicities of the valves. The diodicities of the valves were characterised using fluorescence-based measurements, which enables noncontact determination of micro-valve diodicities and volume flows.