Nanofluidic gates for diffusion-free controlled release from microfluidic devices

摘要

We present a novel mechanism for controlled fluid release, based on hydrophobic gating of nanopores. Pores produced by the ion-track etching method can switch between discrete open and closed states in response to applied voltages, evidenced by measurements of transmembrane ionic conductance. Such gating indicates the formation of a nanoscale vapour barrier in a hydrophobic region of the pore, which disrupts the solvent pathway through the membrane, and can reversibly open and close in response to electrical actuation.