Separable Microfluid Flow Velocity Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring microfluid flow velocity have high manufacturing costs, are difficult to produce, and are typically single-use, limiting their measurable range and causing waste due to integrated structures.
Innovation Solution
A device with separable panels, where a microfluid channel panel is separated from a flow velocity measurement panel by an ultra-thin film, allowing for repeated use of the measurement panel and universal measurement range adjustment via vacuum coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an integrated structure is used where channel, heater, and measurement sensor are manufactured in one structure, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate panels: a first panel containing the flow velocity measurement structure (heater and sensors) and a second panel containing the microfluid channel. These panels are manufactured independently and then coupled together through vacuum, allowing each component to be optimized separately while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If an integrated structure is used where channel, heater, and measurement sensor are manufactured in one structure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated structure is segmented into two separate panels that can be manufactured independently using different fabrication processes appropriate for each function, then coupled through vacuum to form the complete measurement device.
Solution Approach 2:
The first panel with the measurement structure can be universally used with different second panels containing various microfluid channel designs, making the measurement panel a reusable universal component for multiple measurement configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If an integrated structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the device becomes single-use and cannot be reused, causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the measurement panel from the microfluid channel panel, the expensive measurement components can be reused multiple times while only the disposable microfluid panel is discarded after single use, significantly reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable second panel containing the microfluid channel is discarded after single use, while the first panel containing the valuable measurement structure is recovered and reused for subsequent measurements with different microfluid panels.
4Ease of manufacture
If the measurable range is limited by channel cross-sectional area, heater structure, and measurement part structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The first panel with the measurement structure serves as a universal platform that can accommodate different second panels with varying microfluid channel geometries, allowing the system to measure flow velocities across a wide range of conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each component.
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
The device achieves cost-effective, high-performance microfluid flow velocity measurement with reusable measurement panels and adjustable measurement ranges, reducing waste and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heater is positioned between the measurement sensors. The fluid on the heater is higher than the ambient fluid temperature
Implementation Method 2
A resistance difference between the two measurement sensors occurs by the temperature difference, and a flow velocity of the fluid is measured by electrically measuring the resistance difference
Implementation Method 3
separated panels are coupled by a vacuum coupling method that holds the separated panels by applying a vacuum between the separated panels
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for measuring a microfluid flow velocity, having a structure separable by an ultra-thin film, the device including a first panel including a flow velocity measurement structure configured to measure a flow velocity of a fluid, a second panel configured to be separated from the first panel and including a microfluid channel through which a sample passes, and the ultra-thin film formed in a portion where the first panel and the second panel adjoin each other, the ultra-thin film being configured to separate the first panel and the second panel so that the sample passing through the microfluid channel does not come into direct contact with the flow velocity measurement structure, in which the first panel including the flow velocity measurement structure is usable multiple times repeatedly.