Highly Non-linear Microfluidic Resistor Elements for Flow Rate-dependent Addressing of Microchannels

摘要

We have developed a microfluidic resistor element exhibiting a hydrodynamic resistance that is strongly dependent on the pressure at the inlet of the device. Such an element can be used to construct microfluidic circuits that possess a highly non-linear dependence between the pressure and the flow rate, in contrast to conventional microfluidic resistors. We show that this effect can be exploited to create valves which do not require an external control line, but are actuated directly through the pressure difference between the single inlet and outlet of the device. Furthermore, we show that the flux to each branch of the circuit controlled by the valve can be fixed for high or low flow rates by modifying the fixed resistances internal to the device.