Reconfigurable, Self-Sufficient Convective Heat Exchanger for Temperature Control of Microfluidic Systems

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate a modular, reconfigurable, and self-sufficient convective heat exchanger for regulation of temperature in microfluidic systems. The heat exchanger consists of polymer tubes wrapped around a plastic pole and fully embedded in an elastomer block, which can be easily mounted onto the microfluidic structure. It is compatible with various microfluidic geometries and materials. Miniaturized, battery-powered piezoelectric pumps are utilized to drive the heat carrying liquid through the heat exchanger at desired flow rates and temperatures. Customized temperature profiles can be generated by changing the configuration of the heat exchanger with respect to the microfluidic struct..