Phaseguide technology gives complete control over filling and emptying of any type of microfluidic structures, independent of the chamber and channel geometry. The technique is based on a step-wise advancement of the liquid-air interface using the meniscus pinning effect. In this paper, the main effects and parameters underlying the phaseguiding principle are discussed and a demonstration is given of its potential for dead angle filling, spatially controlled phaseguide overflow and sequential phaseguide overflow, all accumulating in a passive valving approach. Phaseguides represent a new direction in microfluidic design thinking that will prove a leap forward towards more simple, flexible and reliable microfluidic systems.
Authors from the NMC:
DOI:
10.1039/c0lc00643b
Pages:
2011; 11 (9): 1596-1602
Published in:
Lab on a Chip
Date of publication:
March, 2011
Status of the publication:
Published/accepted
Link to publication: