High Precision Volume Sensor

Beta product

High-precision volume sensor for volume monitoring in microfluidic experiments

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Accurate volume monitoring of liquids

The volume sensor paired with the OB1 MK4 pressure controller enables great monitoring over volume injection

Large range of volume available

Monitor volumes from nanoliters to milliliters

Wide range of applications

The sensor can be used for many applications such as toxicology, chemical reaction, drug screening, cell culture

Highlights

Accurate monitoring of injected liquid volume is essential in microfluidics, as even minor variations can lead to significant inconsistencies in experimental outcomes, affecting factors such as flow rate, reaction time, and cellular responses. Here, we present a volume monitoring microfluidic experiment using a proof of concept of our Microfluidic Volume Sensor and our OB1 MK4 pressure controller.

Weight-Based Precision: Unlike float-based and capacitive sensors that rely on buoyancy or only offer binary data, this innovative design measures the liquid’s weight directly, providing exceptional accuracy, especially for small volumes from nanoliters to milliliters.
Non-Invasive Design: The Microfluidic Volume Sensor operates without direct contact with the fluid, allowing seamless integration into your microfluidic setup without disrupting flow or risking contamination.
Wide Dynamic Range: From tiny droplets to larger volumes, our sensor handles it all, covering a full range from nanoliters to milliliters. Break free from limitations!
Real-Time Monitoring: Get real-time feedback on liquid volume with our sensor. It provides continuous data, to help you optimize your experiments and processes efficiently.
Easy Integration: Easily connect to your OB1 pressure controller or MSR sensor reader and set up large experiments with the Elveflow Smart Interface. Our sensor communicates with I2C, making integration a non-issue.
Stand-alone: Our sensor can work on its own! Use the touchscreen interface to tare the weight and monitor only what matters in your experiment.

Setup

This set-up connects the volume sensor to the Elveflow OB1 MK4 pressure controller and allows precise monitoring of the volume injected in a microfluidic experiment.

In this study, a pressure of 200 mbar was applied to inject 155 µL of an aqueous solution. The volume of interest is displayed directly on the volume sensor and OB1’s screen for easy tracking.

To inject a predefined volume, you can use the flow injection module of the ESI software.

Materials

Pressure source (0-2 bar)
OB1 MK4 pressure controller with 0-2 bar flow control channels
Microfluidic Volume Sensor
Reservoir holder with 2 push-in connectors

Key Findings

By applying a pressure of 200 mbar during 28s, a volume of 155 ± 2 µL was injected with a standard deviation of 0.11µL.

The graph below illustrates the applied pressure and injected volume measured by the volume sensor, over time.

This study demonstrated that the volume sensor enabled precise control over the injected volume, with a standard deviation of around 2 µL.

Conclusions and perspectives

Our Microfluidic Volume Sensor is in the prototype phase, and we’re thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to experience its precision and versatility. Perfect for cutting-edge applications, this sensor provides unparalleled monitoring for microfluidic experiments—from nanoliter to milliliter volumes. Beyond real-time monitoring, this volume sensor can be integrated into our ESI software. By combining it with other features such as the sequencer and our injection module, it is fully possible to control the volume to be injected and log your data.

We’re open to collaborations and beta testing to refine and expand its capabilities, so we offer options to test it or use it as a service for your projects. Join us in shaping the future of microfluidics!

DatasheetS

Application

In contrast to flow sensors, which are ideal for constant-flow infusion, the volume sensor is more suited for volume injection, regardless of the control technology used. This prototype enables volume monitoring over a broad range, up to 250 ml with aqueous solutions, thanks to its high-precision weighing. It can be of great interest for various applications including:

Lab-on-a-Chip Devices: This sensor ensures accurate delivery and monitoring of reagents and samples, enhancing the reliability of diagnostics and analyses performed on lab-on-a-chip devices.

Drug Delivery Systems: Microfluidic drug delivery systems often require precise control over dosages, which this sensor supports by providing real-time data on liquid volumes. This helps in creating more reliable drug administration protocols, particularly in devices designed for targeted or time-release delivery.
Biomedical Research: The sensor’s precision allows researchers to track minute changes in volume, critical for studying dynamic processes like cell behavior, protein interactions, and enzymatic reactions. This capability makes it ideal for experiments where the slightest variations in volume can influence biological responses.

FAQs

Can the set-up be customized to my needs?

This non-contact sensor is compatible with any type of microfluidic setup using an OB1 pressure controller or the MSR sensor reader. It can be used with different pressure ranges and allows the addition of various types of sensors in the setup, such as pressure or flow sensors.

Is it compatible with all types of liquids?

The Microfluidic Volume Sensor is a non-contact device, ensuring it is chemically compatible with any type of solution. This versatile sensor works with all solution types, allowing you to adjust the solution density directly on the screen and immediately begin monitoring the volume of interest.

Is it possible to tare the sensor?

Yes, it is possible to tare the instrument directly on the sensor’s touchscreen.

How to connect the sensor?

This sensor requires three simple connections: a 24V power supply, a USB B connection to the PC, and an M8 – 4 pin connection to the OB1 or MSR.

Are there any usage precautions?

This sensor is based on a precision balance and is therefore sensitive to vibrations. It is preferable to use it in an isolated environment.

Which reservoirs can be used?

The sensor holder is compatible with 50 ml Falcon tubes.

How can I test this prototype?

Excited to test our Microfluidic Volume Sensor? Reach out to us by sending an email to contact@elveflow.com! We’ll have prototypes ready for you to try!