Compact Open-Channel Microfluidic Diodes Based On Two-Tier Capillary Junctions
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsWoo Jin Hyun, Lorraine F. Francis, Carl Daniel Frisbie
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Abstract
An open-channel microfluidic diode includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is in fluid communication with the first reservoir, wherein the first channel is characterized by a first cross-sectional area. The second channel is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second reservoir, wherein the second channel is characterized by a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The first channel interacts with the second channel at a junction, and wherein liquid flows from the second channel to the first channel via capillary forces.
Claims19
An open-channel microfluidic diode comprising:
- a first reservoir;
- a second reservoir;
- a first channel in fluid communication with the first reservoir, wherein the first channel is characterized by a first cross-sectional area;
- and
- a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel and the second reservoir, wherein the second channel is characterized by a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area;
- wherein the first channel interacts with the second channel at a junction between the first and second channels, and wherein liquid flows uni-directionally from the second channel to the first channel via capillary forces.
An open-channel microfluidic diode comprising:
- a first channel having a first cross-sectional geometry, an open end for connection to a first reservoir and a junction end opposite the open end;
- a second channel having a second cross-sectional geometry, an open end for connection to a second reservoir and a junction end opposite the open end, wherein the second cross-sectional geometry is greater than then the first cross-sectional geometry;
- and
- a junction defined at the intersection of the junction end of the first channel and the junction end of the second channel, wherein the junction is defined by an edge angle α.
A method of fabricating a microfluidic diode, the method comprising:
- fabricating a first channel having a first cross-sectional area aS;
- and
- fabricating a second channel having a second cross-sectional area aL, wherein the second channel overlaps with the first channel to form a junction between the first channel and the second channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.