Title :
In-situ generated biocompatible alginate actuators for flow control in microfluidics
Author :
Saez, J. ; Antonana, M. ; Etxebarria, J. ; Benito-Lopez, F.
Author_Institution :
CIC microGUNE, Arrasate-Mondragón, Spain
Abstract :
This abstract describes for the first time the use of alginate hydrogels as miniaturised valves in microfluidic devices. These biocompatible and biodegradable microvalves are in-situ generated, on demand, allowing for microfluidic flow control. The microfluidic devices were fabricated using the origami technique with seven layers of cyclic olefin copolymer (COP) and thermocompression bonding. They can be thermally actuated (ON/OFF) at mild temperatures, 37 °C, and chemically erased from the main channel using an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dehydrated (EDTA) solution, ensuring the reusability of the whole device.
Keywords :
biodegradable materials; flow control; hydrogels; microactuators; microfabrication; microfluidics; microvalves; polymer blends; COP; EDTA; alginate hydrogels; biocompatible alginate actuators; biocompatible microvalves; biodegradable microvalves; cyclic olefin copolymer; ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid disodium salt dehydrated solution; microfluidic devices; microfluidic flow control; miniaturised valves; origami technique; temperature 37 degC; thermal actuator; thermocompression bonding; Calcium; Fabrication; Microfluidics; Microvalves; Polymers; Sensors; Actuator; Biocompatible; Biodegradable; Calcium Alginate; Flow control; Hydrogel; Microfluidics; Thermoresponsive;
Conference_Titel :
Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (TRANSDUCERS), 2015 Transducers - 2015 18th International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Anchorage, AK
DOI :
10.1109/TRANSDUCERS.2015.7181380