Adam Dyess, Jake Hughey, Michael Moustoukas, Matt Pfister Development of a Modular Peristaltic Microfluidic Pump and Valve System BME 272 Group 20: Adam Dyess, Jake Hughey, Michael Moustoukas, Matt Pfister
Microfluidics Minimal reagent consumption Increased speed of reactions Study of biological phenomena at the single cell level
Soft Lithography
Current Pumps at VIIBRE Harvard Pico Plus syringe pumps $2,000 / pump Limiting complexity of microfluidic devices
Pneumatic Valves Two-layer PDMS device Flow layer (bottom) control layer (top) Thin PDMS membrane deflects into the flow channel when the control channel is pressurized Low aspect ratios 1:20 for rectangular control channel 1:10 for round flow channel Unger et al. 2000
Pneumatic Valve Design Flow channel dimension – 100um wide, 10um tall (round, AZ p4620, mask) or 5um tall (rectangular, SU8) Control channel – valve area (300um by 300um), control line 100um wide, 25um-30um tall
Valve in Action
Current Design of Peristaltic Pump Consists of 4 valves Round flow channel Spacing between each valve 100um Control pressure: 20psi-25psi Issues Mechanical stability of membrane Reusability of pumps Surface adsorption to PDMS Flow rates and pressures unknown Gas diffusion through membrane Minimize peristalsis
Pump in Action
Nitrogen or Liquid Screw or Pneumatic Valves Christmas Tree Nanophysiometer Connector Fluid Flow Peristaltic Pump
Future Work Learn microfabrication procedures from Yuxin Get Mike and Adam trained in microfabrication (pending IRB approval) Extension and documentation of LabVIEW pump control system Build additional valve control box Characterize valves and pump