Microchip Intermediate Reservoir Side Channel Liquid Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro liquid control mechanisms face challenges in accurately positioning liquid in micro flow channels due to pressure differences and require complex flow channel configurations to mix multiple liquid clusters, while existing devices struggle with liquid sending through gas presence between liquids.
Innovation Solution
A microchip with a micro flow channel and an intermediate reservoir having a side path with a smaller cross-sectional area than the flow channel, allowing for independent liquid positioning and mixing of multiple liquid clusters without relying on pressure differences, and capable of handling liquids with air bubbles or gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a narrow pipe with hydrophobic inner wall surface is used to control liquid flow between two ducts, then liquid positioning is improved, but the flow channel configuration becomes complicated when multiple liquid clusters need to be mixed
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into a main flow channel and multiple side flow channels with different cross-sectional areas. The side flow channels have smaller cross-sectional areas that create higher flow resistance, enabling independent positioning of multiple liquid clusters without requiring complex hydrophobic surface structures throughout the entire channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the flow channel are given different cross-sectional areas. The side flow channels have locally reduced cross-sectional areas to create specific flow resistance characteristics, allowing liquid positioning to be achieved through geometric design rather than requiring hydrophobic surface treatments throughout the channel.
2Ease of operation
If pressure difference is used to control liquid flow in micro channels, then liquid sending is simplified, but accurate positioning is lost when pressure difference exceeds critical value
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel cross-sectional area is changed in specific regions to create side flow channels with smaller areas. This geometric parameter change creates higher flow resistance in the side channels, allowing liquid positioning to be maintained even when pressure differences vary, as the flow resistance dominates the flow behavior.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple narrow pipes are provided to mix liquid clusters, then mixing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple side flow channels with different cross-sectional areas are merged into a single integrated flow channel structure. This allows multiple liquid clusters to be positioned and mixed simultaneously through the unified channel design, eliminating the need for separate narrow pipes for each mixing function while maintaining the ability to handle multiple liquid streams.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and simple liquid sending to a predetermined position in micro flow channels by eliminating air bubbles or gases in the intermediate reservoir, allowing for mixing of multiple liquid clusters independently of pressure differences and maintaining a straightforward flow channel configuration.
Implementation Method 1
eliminating air bubbles or gases in the intermediate reservoir
Implementation Method 2
the cross sectional area of the side path is smaller than that of the micro flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A microchip capable of sending liquid in a micro flow channel to a predetermined place irrespective of the pressure difference and sending a mixture of two or more liquid masses to a predetermined place even if the channel structure is simple. The microchip comprises an intermediate reservoir portion provided in a micro flow channel and adapted for temporarily holding liquid sent through the micro flow channel. The microchip is characterized in that the intermediate reservoir portion has a side channel, the volume of the intermediate reservoir portion is smaller than the total volume of the liquid sent into the intermediate reservoir portion, the side channel is provided for communication of a micro flow channel on the upstream side of the intermediate reservoir portion with a micro flow channel on the downstream side thereof, and the cross-section area of the side channel is smaller than that of the micro flow channel.