Normally closed microvalve and applications of the same

A normally closed valve, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with each other, defined in a flexible base such that when a fluid channel is compressed, a fluid flow through the fluid channel is occluded, otherwise, the fluid flow through the fluid channel is unoccluded;
• (b) an actuator comprising a cage defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings, and a plurality of pop-up members, each pop-up member retained in a respective opening of the cage and being vertically movable therein, wherein the actuator is placed on the flexible base to constrain each pop-up member in a position immediately above a respective fluid channel, such that when a pop-up member is pressed into the flexible base, a fluid channel that is immediately beneath the pop-up member is compressed, otherwise, the fluid channel is uncompressed;
• and
• (c) a drivehead having a surface and at least one recess formed on the surface, wherein the drivehead is rotatably engaged with the actuator such that each pop-up member is pressed into the flexible base normally, and as the drivehead rotates, any selected pop-up member is unpressed or partially unpressed when the at least one recess arrives and pressed as the at least one recess departs, thereby selectively unoccluding or occluding a fluid flow through a desired fluid channel.