One of the greatest challenges for researchers using microfluidics is miniaturizing analysis processes in very small microchips. Whether it is named MEMS, lab on chip or microTAS, miniaturization presents several advantages in reducing the size of analysis processes: analysis is getting cheaper, faster and more efficient.
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For on-chips applications, instrumentation for flow control is a key element, as assays’ performances mainly depend on the instruments used.
There are as many instruments available as there are applications. Since each instrument has specific strengths and weaknesses, researchers using microfluidics must be aware of all of the pros and cons of each instrument to pick the most suitable system for their applications. A hundred of researchers using on-chip microfluidics were interviewed about the microfluidics instruments they use, and their opinion about it.
The majority of researchers interviewed use syringe pumps technology for on-chip flow control. It is the most common device for flow control and the choice of using syringe pumps is mainly based on their habits and equipment of their lab.
(*)This study is based on the kind answers given by researchers using on-chip microfluidic instruments [1-36]
However, a significant portion of these researchers has also recently moved to pressure-driven flow for their on-chip application. Capillary and valves systems are valued for several reasons detailed in the next paragraph.
Vaccuums are systems used by researchers who want to control their experiments at the outlet of their channels[23], or researchers who intend to generate reverse flows.
A syringe pump is the most commonly used device for flow control. Inspired by medical devices, syringe pumps have been widely used for microfluidic applications. Most syringe pumps are based on a syringe driven by a motor and a rotary screw.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
A pressure controller is an alternative to syringe pumps and is based on a simple concept. Reservoirs of fluids connected to the chip are pressurized, thanks to an on-air pressure controller. As fluids are incompressible, flow control is perfectly operated thanks to the pressure controller.
(*) this can be overcome with a pressure source including flow rate feedback loop (more information)
Micropumps are commonly based on valve systems. They usually result in a sequential opening and closing of various valves operated by a mechanical, pneumatical or electrokinetical system.
Capillary flow control does not require any external device. Thanks to their hydrophilic walls, microchannels of the chip spontaneously fill-up with liquids.
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