Issue 24, 2012

Centrifugo-dynamic inward pumping of liquids on a centrifugal microfluidic platform

Abstract

We present a method to pump liquids in a centrifugal microfluidic spinning disk from a radial outward position to a radial inward position. Centrifugal forces are applied to compress air in a cavity, this way storing pneumatic energy. The cavity is connected to an outlet channel having a lower hydraulic resistance compared to the inlet channel. The stored pneumatic energy is quickly released by fast reduction of rotational frequency. This way liquid is transported mainly through the channel with lower resistance, directing the liquid radially inwards. Pump efficiencies of >75% per pump cycle have been demonstrated for water, ethanol, a highly viscous lysis buffer and whole blood. By employing three pump cycles, water has been pumped radially inwards with an efficiency of >90%. The inward pumping requires centrifugation only, which is intrinsically available on every centrifugal microfluidic platform.

Graphical abstract: Centrifugo-dynamic inward pumping of liquids on a centrifugal microfluidic platform

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Technical Innovation
Submitted
17 Aug 2012
Accepted
03 Oct 2012
First published
05 Oct 2012
This article is Open Access

Lab Chip, 2012,12, 5142-5145

Centrifugo-dynamic inward pumping of liquids on a centrifugal microfluidic platform

S. Zehnle, F. Schwemmer, G. Roth, F. von Stetten, R. Zengerle and N. Paust, Lab Chip, 2012, 12, 5142 DOI: 10.1039/C2LC40942A

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