Numerical and Experimental Modeling of Paper-Based Actuators

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have witnessed a great extent of innovation over the past decade, developing new components and materials assisting the diagnosis of different diseases and sensing of a wide range of biological, chemical, optical, and electrochemical phenomena. The novel paper-based cantilever (PBC) actuator is one the major components that allows autonomous loading and control of multiple fluid reagents required for the accurate operation of paper-based microfluidic devices. This paper provides an extensive overview of numerical and experimental modeling of fluidically controlled PBC actuators for automation of the paper-based assay. The PBC model undergoing hygro-expansion utilizes quasi-static 2D fluid loaded structure governed by the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory for small and moderately large deflections. The solution for the model can avail the response of paper-based actuators for response deflection θ, within 0° to 10° under the assumption of insignificant cross-sectional deformation. The actuation of PBC obtained using a quasi-static theory shows that our results are consistent with quantitative experiments demonstrating the adequacy of models.