Electrically actuated sampling and metering system for on-line microfluidic sensing platforms.

In the last decade many microfluidic devices have been developed for a plurality of applications, ranging from biochemial analysis such as DNA and protein detection, biomedical diagnostics, to environmental monitoring. Most of these devices are suitable for a single shot measurements where the heart of the system (microfluidic chip) is replaced after each measurement. In these systems the samples are usually still applied in a manual way. However, few devices are available to perform multiple measurements over a prolonged period of time which is a must for on-line application in industrial environments. Even then, automated sampling usually is applied with off-chip discrete components (valves). This project aims to develop on-chip valving and metering components based on electrowetting of a (normally) hydrophobic channel segment, allowing electronic switching and steering of fluid flows. A series of such valve segments can be used to accurately separate a well-defined volume of fluid and transport it to the desired location on the chip for further processing (e.g. analysis or mixing).

Assignment

Identification and testing of proper materials for the hydrophobic electrodes
Design and simulation of valves and metering sections
Fabrication of the microfluidic devices in the EKL cleanroom

Contact

dr.ir. Andre Bossche

Electronic Instrumentation Group

Department of Microelectronics

Last modified: 2020-02-04