Lifting gate polydimethylsiloxane microvalves and pumps for microfluidic control

A microfluidic control module comprising:

• (a) a substrate layer having a first side and a second side;
• (b) a first fluidic layer positioned adjacent to the second side of the substrate layer, wherein
• a first side of the first fluidic layer faces the substrate layer and a second side of the first fluidic layer faces away from the substrate layer,
• one or more first fluidic channels are formed between the second side of the substrate layer and the first side of the first fluidic layer, and
• the first side of the first fluidic layer has a first plurality of protruding gates that are positioned to align with the one or more first fluidic channels and are configured to obstruct a flow of the one or more first fluidic channels when the first fluidic layer is at a resting state;
• (c) a first pneumatic layer positioned adjacent to the second side of the first fluidic layer, wherein:
• a first side of the first pneumatic layer faces the first fluidic layer and a second side of the first pneumatic layer faces away from the first fluidic layer,
• a first plurality of pneumatic displacement chambers are formed between the second side of the first fluidic layer and the first side of the first pneumatic layer, and
• the substrate layer, the first fluidic layer and the first pneumatic layer are configured to provide a first plurality of lifting gate valves configured as one or more first pumps;
• (d) a second fluidic layer positioned adjacent to the second side of the first pneumatic layer, wherein
• a first side of the second fluidic layer faces the first pneumatic layer and a second side of the second fluidic layer faces away from the first pneumatic layer,
• one or more second fluidic channels are formed between the second side of the first pneumatic layer and the first side of the second fluidic layer, and
• the first side of the second fluidic layer has a second plurality of protruding gates that are positioned to align with the one or more second fluidic channels and are configured to obstruct a flow of the one or more second fluidic channels when the second fluidic layer is at a resting state;
• and
• (e) a second pneumatic layer positioned adjacent to the second side of the second fluidic layer, wherein:
• a first side of the second pneumatic layer faces the second fluidic layer and a second side of the second pneumatic layer faces away from the second fluidic layer,
• a second plurality of pneumatic displacement chambers are formed between the second side of the second fluidic layer and the first side of the second pneumatic layer, and
• the first pneumatic layer, the second fluidic layer and the second pneumatic layer are configured to provide a second plurality of lifting gate valves configured as one or more second pumps.