Sol-Gel Process Used in Creation of Fully Sealed Microfluidic Diode

Use of a process known as sol-gel differentiates a new microfluidic diode from earlier approaches and allowed University of Maryland researchers to anchor the diode to the walls of a microscale channel printed with a common polymer. The diode's minute architecture was then printed directly insi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American laboratory (Fairfield) 2019-03, Vol.51 (2), p.9
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
3-D printers
Analytical chemistry
Diodes
Fluid dynamics
Microchannels
Microfluidics
Polymers
Sol-gel processes
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Summary:Use of a process known as sol-gel differentiates a new microfluidic diode from earlier approaches and allowed University of Maryland researchers to anchor the diode to the walls of a microscale channel printed with a common polymer. The diode's minute architecture was then printed directly inside of the channel, layer-by-layer, from the top of the channel down. The result is a fully sealed, 3-D microfluidic diode created at a fraction of the cost and in less time. The strong seal will protect the circuit from contamination and ensure any fluid pushed through the diode is not released at the wrong time or place, and was further strengthened by reshaping the microchannel walls.
ISSN:0044-7749