Devices and methods for using centripetal acceleration to drive fluid movement in a microfluidics system

A centripetally-motivated fluid micromanipulation apparatus that is a combination of

• a microsystem platform, comprising a substrate having a first flat, planar surface and a second flat, planar surface opposite thereto, wherein the first surface comprises a sample input means, a multiplicity of reaction chambers and a multiplicity of microchannels embedded in said first surface, wherein the sample input means, microchannels and reaction chambers are connected and in fluidic contact with one another, wherein each microchannel is connected to a microvalve and is vented to an air displacement channel located over each reaction chamber, whereby fluid flow through the microchannels is controlled by the opening and closing of the microvalves and the venting of air through the air displacement channels,
• a micromanipulation device, comprising a base, a rotating means for rotating the platform, a power supply and user interface and operations controlling means, wherein the rotating means is operatively linked to the microsystem platform and in rotational contact therewith
• wherein a volume of fluid within the platform is moved from one microchannel to another by centripetal force arising from rotational motion of the platform which causes the air in a microchannel to be displaced through an air displacement channel located over a connecting reaction chamber and a microvalve connected to the microchannel to open so as to transfer fluid to a connecting microchannel.