Paper-fluidic devices have become an emerging trend for micro total analysis systems (microTAS) due to their ability to maintain the rapid, sensitive and specific attributes of microfluidic devices.  Subsequently, paper-fluidic devices are also more portable, have a lower production cost and are easier to use.  However, one of the obstacles with developing paper fluidic devices is the limited ability to control the rate of fluid flow during an assay.  In our project, we have addressed this issue by inkjet printing and spraying conductive hydrophobic electrodes/valves in conjunction with conductive hydrophilic electrodes which are able to stop the fluid front of phosphate buffered saline (PBS).  The hydrophobic valves were then actuated by an applied potential which destroyed the fluorinated monolayer incorporated in the electrode.  As we increased the distance between the electrodes, the amount of time for the fluid front to pass the valve increased due to an increase in resistance between them.  Also, less time was required to open the valve when more potential was applied.  The valves were also incorporated in a lateral flow assay where the device was used to detect Saccharomyces cerevisiae rRNA sequences.  With the ability to control the fluid flow in a paper-fluidic device, more complex and intricate assays can be developed, which not only can be applied in the biomedical, food and environmental fields, but can also be used in low resource settings for the detection of diseases.

Inkjet-printed electrowetting valves for paper-fluidic devices

246th National Meeting (2013)

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