APP79: MEMS Biopolymer: Micro Plastic Injection Molded Fluidic Chip with Thermally Actuated Hydrogel Valves

The goal of this project is to develop a polymer microfluidic system to test system level performance. The chip will be plastic injection molded with integrated fluidic interconnects. Polymer film with patterned metal traces will be used to enclose the channel. The traces will allow simple control elements such as heaters and electrodes to be integrated into the chip. Previous work at UC Berkeley has developed a thermal sensitive hydrogel valve that can be lithographically patterned. This valve will be incorporated into the chip and actuated via on-chip heaters. A test assay will be performed in this device to measure system level parameters such as frequency, accuracy, and repeatability.

Project end date: 07/30/08