Novel on-chip microfluidic transport system with electrochemically controlled bubble formation

Abstract

An integrated micro fluidic system was constructed with electrochemically actuated pumps and valves. It consists of a glass substrate with actuating electrodes and a PDMS substrate with micro flow channels and containers. A hydrogen bubble was generated or shrunk on a platinum black working electrode. This phenomenon was used to construct a syringe pump, a valve, and to separate the electrolyte solution from a sample solution. The system features low operating voltage and power consumption. Co-operative integration of system components facilitated withdrawal of external dye solutions from injection ports and subsequent microfluidic transport. A sheath flow was observed in a mixing channel at the end of the flow channels. Chemiluminescence originating from an enzymatic reaction was observed after transporting and mixing of the two precursor solutions.