Journal article
Self-sufficient, low-cost microfluidic pumps utilising reinforced balloons
P Thurgood, SA Suarez, S Chen, C Gilliam, E Pirogova, AR Jex, S Baratchi, K Khoshmanesh
Lab on A Chip | ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY | Published : 2019
DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00618d
Abstract
Here, we introduce a simple method for increasing the inflation pressure of self-sufficient pressure pumps made of latex balloons. Our method involves reinforcing the latex balloon with elastane fibres to restrict the expansion of the balloon and increase its inflation pressure. This allowed us to increase the operational inflation pressure of a latex balloon from 2.5 to 25 kPa. Proof-of-concept experiments show the suitability of the reinforced balloon for inducing lateral forces and recirculating flows, which are employed for hydrodynamic capturing of large human monocytes. We also demonstrate the ability for the rapid exchange of solutions in repeated cycles upon manual squeezing of the r..
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Grants
Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge RMIT's MicroNano Research Facility (MNRF) for fabrication of microfluidic devices. Authors also acknowledge Mr. David Welch for his valuable technical assistance. A.R.J. acknowledges the Australian National Health and Medical Research Foundation Career Development Fellowship (APP1126395). A.R.J. also acknowledges funding from the Victorian State Government Operational Infrastructure Support as well as Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council Independent Research Institute Infrastructure Support Scheme. E. P. acknowledges the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council for funding 'The Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research' (NHMRC CRE APP1135076). S.B. acknowledges the Australian Research Council for Discovery for Early Career Researchers Award (DE170100239). A. R. J. and K. K. acknowledge the Australian Research Council for Discovery Grant (DP180102049).