Devices and methods for controlling fluid flow using elastic sheet deflection

A microfluidic device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having at least two fluid-transporting microfeatures formed on an upper surface thereof;
• (b) an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the elastic sheet (i) is immobilized with respect to the substrate at a minimum of two immobilization points, and (ii) has a deflectable active area at least partially contained between the immobilization points;
• and
• (c) an actuation means for deflecting the active area of the elastic sheet away from the upper surface of the substrate.

A fluid flow control device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having a plurality of fluid-transporting features formed on an upper surface thereof;
• (b) an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the elastic sheet (i) is immobilized with respect to the substrate at a plurality of immobilization points, and (ii) has a plurality of deflectable active areas, wherein each of the active areas is at least partially contained between two immobilization points, and further wherein each fluid-transporting feature on the substrate surface directly faces an active area of the elastic sheet;
• and
• (c) an actuation means for deflecting each active area of the elastic sheet away from the upper surface of the substrate.

A fluid flow control device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having an upper surface adapted to contact a flowing fluid;
• (b) an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the elastic sheet (i) is immobilized with respect to the substrate at a minimum of two immobilization points, and (ii) has a deflectable active area at least partially contained between the immobilization points;
• and
• (c) at least two electrodes in contact with the active area of elastic sheet;
• and
• (d) a nonmechanical actuation means for deflecting the active area towards or away from the upper surface of the substrate.

A microfluidic device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having at least two fluid-transporting microfeatures formed on an upper surface thereof;
• (b) an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the elastic sheet (i) is immobilized with respect to the substrate at a minimum of two immobilization points, and (ii) has a deflectable active area at least partially contained between the immobilization points;
• and
• (c) at least two electrodes in contact with the active area of the elastic sheet;
• and
• (d) a nonmechanical actuation means for deflecting each active area towards or away from the upper surface of the substrate, thereby decreasing or increasing, respectively, fluid communication with the fluid-transporting features.

A fluid flow control device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having a plurality of fluid-transporting features formed on an upper surface thereof;
• (b) an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, with the lower surface facing the upper surface of the substrate, wherein the elastic sheet (i) is immobilized with respect to the substrate at a plurality of immobilization points, and (ii) has a plurality of deflectable active areas, wherein each of the active areas is at least partially contained between two immobilization points, and further wherein each fluid-transporting feature on the substrate surface directly faces an active area of the elastic sheet;
• and
• (c) a plurality of electrodes arranged such that at least two electrodes contact each active area;
• and
• (d) an actuation means for deflecting each active area towards or away from the upper surface of the substrate.

A fluidic control device comprising:

• (a) a substrate having an upper surface adapted to contact a flowing fluid;
• and
• (b) an electroactive polymer attached to the upper surface of the substrate;
• the electroactive polymer comprising (i) at least one active area, and (ii) at least two electrodes in contact with each active area and arranged in a manner to cause the polymer in the active area to deflect in response to a change in electric field.

A method for forming a fluid flow control device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a substrate having an upper surface adapted to contact a flowing fluid;
• (b) immobilizing an elastic sheet having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface with respect to the substrate at a minimum of two immobilization points such that the lower surface of the elastic sheet faces the upper surface of the substrate and an active area of the elastic sheet is positioned between the immobilization points;
• and
• (c) operatively connecting an actuation means to the active area such that the active area may be deflected away from or toward the upper surface of the substrate upon operation of the actuation means.