Making Microfluidic Devices Using Old Concepts
3/11/15 Microfluidic devices are designed to control extremely tiny droplets of fluid. Micro channels, holes and valves are accurately positioned to push, pull or pressurize fluids (like blood or drugs) to enable the device to perofrm properly.
There is an article in TheScientist magazine about microfluidics. Researchers at Stanford University designed a microfluidic device that is powered by a hand crank, which makes it very inexpensive to use. They based their device on an old childrens music box which contains paper punch cards and when hand cranked powers the device to function.
This is a great concept for using a portable microfluidic device and due to the low cost could easily be transported and used as a teaching tool in third world countries. The device consists of 3 parts: a microfluidic chip made out of polymer polydimethylsiloxane, paper tapes with punch holes and a device that translates the patterns of punches into pumping action and droplet formation.
MES creates microfluidic features in the sub-micron range using several different processes, check out our website for examples of our work.