Applications of Pressure Sensors

Pressure sensors have become indispensable for achieving precise control and monitoring in fluidic systems. Elveflow’s advanced pressure sensors provide versatile solutions across various microfluidic and industrial applications. Below are specific ways in which pressure sensors, such as the Microfluidic Pressure Sensor (MPS) and Luer-Lock Pressure Sensor (MFP), can be applied.

1. Pressure Control in Microfluidic Systems

In microfluidic setups, maintaining stable pressure at critical points, such as the entrance of a microfluidic chip, is essential for optimal performance. For instance:

• When working on cell culture applications, sensors ensure the pressure remains within safe limits to avoid damaging sensitive cells in the chip.
• Real-time pressure adjustments help maintain consistency, improving reproducibility in experiments.
  
  

2. Pressure Control in Deformable Chambers

Microfluidic experiments often involve deformable materials like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for creating chambers or microstructures. Pressure sensors enable:

• Precise regulation of pressure in deformable chambers, essential for applications like confinement of particles or cells in specific regions.
• Controlled deformation, allowing researchers to study dynamic responses or mimic biological environments.
  
  

3. Pressure Monitoring for Cell Culture Applications

Pressure monitoring is vital in cell culture experiments to ensure the viability and health of the cells.

• Sensors help maintain stable flow rates and detect fluctuations that might impact cell development.
• Monitoring ensures that the cells are not exposed to excessive pressure, reducing experimental variability.
  
  

4. Pressure Sensors as Security Guards

In systems using syringe pumps or other non-pressure-controlled mechanisms, the risk of excessive pressure buildup can lead to equipment damage or failure. Pressure sensors act as safeguards by:

• Detecting when pressure exceeds a critical threshold and triggering adjustments or alerts to prevent failures.
• Ensuring the safety of delicate setups, especially in long-duration experiments or when working with fragile components.
  
  

5. Monitoring Resistance and Load Loss in Fluidic Systems

Measuring pressure at multiple points in a fluidic path provides valuable insights into system performance:

• By tracing pressure differences and identifying pressure drops, users can identify resistance or loss in the system load, which is critical for optimizing system efficiency.
• This application is especially important in setups involving filtration, where the evolution of a filter cake can be monitored. For instance, as a filter cake forms, pressure increases across the filter, and sensors help track this progression in real-time.
• It’s also useful for detecting blockages or wetting-out phenomena in microfluidic setups.
  

6. Direct Ink Writing (DIW)

Direct Ink Writing (DIW), a key additive manufacturing technique, requires precise pressure control for material deposition. Elveflow’s pressure sensors, paired with feedback loops, enable accurate adjustments during DIW processes, ensuring consistent material flow and improved 3D print quality.