Liquid Handling in Microfluidics: Precision, Automation, and the Power of Elveflow

February 21, 2025
Sakshi Shruti
2454 Views
Flow Control Systems, Liquid Handling

Liquid handling is a fundamental aspect of microfluidics, playing a crucial role in applications ranging from cell culture and diagnostics to drug discovery and chemical analysis. Managing small liquid volumes with precision is essential, but challenges such as flow instability, contamination, and automation complexity must be addressed to ensure reliable results.

To overcome these challenges, Elveflow’s Liquid Handling Solution offers a complete system that combines the OB1 pressure controller for precise and stable flow control, the MUX Distribution for automated fluid switching, and the Volume Injection Module with ESI software for programmable liquid injection. Together, these components create a versatile liquid handling setup that enhances precision and reproducibility in microfluidic experiments.

The Importance of Liquid Handling in Microfluidics

Microfluidic systems are designed to manipulate fluids at the microscale, where even minor fluctuations in flow can impact experimental outcomes. Accurate liquid handling is critical for applications that require controlled reagent delivery, stable flow conditions, and automated workflows.

Key Applications of Liquid Handling in Microfluidics

Microfluidic Cell Culture & Automated Cell Seeding
Maintaining uniform cell seeding and controlled media exchange is essential for reproducibility in cell culture experiments. The OB1 pressure controller ensures smooth, pulsation-free flow, able to work under control shear stress while the MUX Distribution allows automated switching between different media.
Chemical & Biochemical Assays
High-throughput screening for Chemical & Biochemical Assays and lab-on-a-chip diagnostics require precise reagent handling. The Volume Injection Module, integrated with ESI software, enables controlled dosing and programmable liquid flow, reducing variability in assay results.
Radioactive Liquid Handling
In applications such as nuclear medicine and radiochemistry, microfluidics provides a safe way to handle radioactive fluids. The Liquid Handling solution enables automated, remote-controlled fluid handling, minimizing exposure risks.
Drug Testing & Organ-on-a-Chip Models
Reliable liquid control is crucial for drug delivery studies and organ-on-a-chip experiments. By using pressure-driven flow instead of syringe pumps, the system ensures smooth and stable drug administration to microfluidic models.

Elveflow’s Liquid Handling Solution: A Turnkey Solution

Elveflow’s Liquid Handling Solution is designed to address these challenges, providing a fully liquid handling system with automated capabilities for microfluidic research.

OB1 MK4: Stable, Pulsation-Free Flow Control

The OB1 MK4 Pressure Controller delivers ultra-stable, pulsation-free flow for microfluidic applications. Unlike syringe pumps, it uses pressure-driven control, ensuring smooth liquid handling, rapid response times, and precise flow control. Ideal for cell culture, organ-on-a-chip studies, drug testing, and biochemical assays, the OB1 MK4 is a key tool for researchers requiring high precision and automation.

Key Features

Pulsation-Free Flow: Ensures stable, continuous microfluidic perfusion, eliminating fluctuations from syringe pumps.
Fast Response Time: Adjusts pressure and flow rates in under 50 milliseconds, enabling dynamic flow control.
Multi-Channel Control: Independently manages up to four fluidic circuits for complex setups.
Wide Pressure Range: Supports -900 mbar to 8 bar, allowing precise handling of low and high flow rates.
Automation Capabilities: Works with Elveflow’s Liquid Handling solution, MUX Distribution, and Volume Injection Module for full automation.

MUX Distribution: Automated Fluid Switching

The MUX Distribution is an advanced fluid-switching module designed for seamless and automated reagent management in microfluidic experiments. By enabling precisefluid transitions, it eliminates the need for manual intervention, improving workflow efficiency and reproducibility.

Key Features

Automated Fluid Routing: Allows switching between multiple fluids without manual adjustments, making it ideal for high-throughput workflows.
Precise Transitions: Ensures controlled, quick and reliable switching between reagents.
Multi-Channel Capability: Supports complex microfluidic setups requiring multiple inputs or sequential fluid injections.
Automation Capabilities Works perfectly with Elveflow’s OB1 Pressure Controller and Liquid Handling solution, enabling fully automated microfluidic experiments.
Compact & Easy to Use: Designed for optimized integration into any microfluidic setup, offering reliable and consistent performance.

Volume Injection Module with ESI Software: Programmable Liquid Handling

The Volume Injection Module, included in the ESI software, provides precise, programmable control over liquid injections in microfluidic experiments. This module allows researchers to automate reagent dosing, customize injection sequences, and monitor flow rates in real time, ensuring high reproducibility and efficiency.

Key Features

Programmable Liquid Injection: Customize flow rates, injection volumes, and timing for automated workflows.
Real-Time Control & Monitoring: Adjust parameters on the fly to optimize performance during experiments.
Compatible with OB1: Works with pressure-based flow control to ensure stable, pulsation-free injections.
User-Friendly Software Interface: Intuitive control over injection sequences, making complex experiments easier to manage.
Compatible with Multi-Channel Setups: Supports applications requiring precise reagent delivery across multiple microfluidic circuits.

How Elveflow Enhances Microfluidic Experimentation

Elveflow enhances microfluidic experimentation by providing advanced solutions for pressure control, automated fluid switching, and programmable liquid injection. The Liquid Handling solution streamlines liquid handling, ensuring precision, stability, and reproducibility in experiments. With pulsation-free flow control, researchers can achieve more reliable results, while automated workflows minimize manual errors and improve efficiency.

The system is designed to be modular and scalable, adapting to various experimental setups across biology, chemistry, and biomedical research. Beyond upgrading experimental setups, Elveflow also offers consultancy and training services, providing researchers with expert guidance to optimize their microfluidic workflows. Whether designing custom microfluidic devices or troubleshooting complex fluidic challenges, Elveflow’s team of specialists supports scientists and engineers in advancing their research with cutting-edge microfluidic technology.

Conclusion

Reliable liquid handling is essential for microfluidic research, whether in automated cell culture, chemical assays, or drug testing. Elveflow’s Liquid Handling Solution combines precise pressure control, automated fluid switching, and programmable liquid injection, creating a seamless solution for researchers. By ensuring stable, reproducible fluid control, this system enhances the efficiency and accuracy of microfluidic workflows.

For researchers looking to optimize their microfluidic experiments, Elveflow’s Liquid Handling Solution provides a powerful and adaptable solution.

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