Microfluidic valve, method for its manufacture, and uses thereof

A method for the manufacture of a microfluidic valve, wherein said method comprises performing the following steps:

• forming a structural portion of the valve by arranging a substrate, wherein said substrate comprises a mechanically inert material;
• forming a functional portion of the valve by printing a succession of filaments of a mechanically responsive material comprising a liquid crystal polymer (LCP);
• depositing the filaments on the substrate while applying an anti-adhesion treatment on one or more interfaces of said filaments and the substrate;
• wherein the substrate and the filaments together at least partially define a fluid flow channel of the valve, wherein the filaments are arranged within the fluid flow channel, such that variations in at least one physicochemical parameter cause contraction or expansion of the mechanically responsive material along a longitudinal or transversal direction of the filaments, thereby modulating fluid flow rate through the channel.