Air flow regulation in microfluidic circuits for pressure control and gaseous exchange

A process of modifying the physical or chemical properties of fluid in a microfluidic circuit comprising one or more connected microchannels, at least one air displacement duct in gaseous communication with one or more of the connected microchannels, at least one pressure regulation device connected to the air displacement duct, and at least one reaction chamber disposed within the microfluidic circuit in fluid communication with the one or more connected microchannels and in gaseous communication with the at least one air displacement duct and the at least one pressure regulation device, said reaction chamber configured to permit a chemical or physical reaction therein, said process comprising the steps of:

• introducing a liquid fluid into the reaction chamber;
• controlling the pressure of a gaseous fluid downstream of said liquid fluid with the pressure regulation device to maintain a desired pressure on the liquid fluid and to influence reaction kinetics of the chemical or physical reaction or influence physical or chemical properties of liquid fluid within the reaction chamber;
• and
• controlling the pressure of the liquid fluid introduced into the microfluidic circuit to prevent unintentional back-flow or forward-flow.

A microfluidic circuit comprising:

• one or more connected microchannels;
• at least one reaction chamber disposed within the microfluidic circuit in fluid communication with the one or more connected microchannels, said reaction chamber configured to permit a chemical or physical reaction therein;
• one or more air displacement ducts in gaseous communication with one or more of the connected microchannels;
• and
• a pressure regulation device connected to each air displacement duct to control pressure within the microfluidic circuit, wherein the air displacement ducts and the pressure regulation devices deliver a gaseous reactant or product to the reaction chamber, and wherein the pressure regulation device influences reaction kinetics of the chemical or physical reaction or influences physical or chemical properties of fluid within the microfluidic circuit without producing unintentional back-flow or forward-flow in the reaction chamber.

A microfluidic circuit comprising:

• one or more connected microchannels;
• at least one reaction chamber disposed within the microfluidic circuit in fluid communication with the one or more connected microchannels, said reaction chamber configured to permit a chemical or physical reaction therein;
• one or more air displacement ducts in gaseous communication with one or more of the connected microchannels;
• and
• a pressure regulation device connected to each air displacement duct to control pressure within the microfluidic circuit, wherein the air displacement ducts and the pressure regulation devices remove a gaseous reactant or product from the reaction chamber, and wherein the pressure regulation device influences reaction kinetics of the chemical or physical reaction or influences physical or chemical properties of fluid within the microfluidic circuit without producing unintentional back-flow or forward-flow in the reaction chamber.