Micro fluidics -An Instrumentation

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Micro fluidics is a multidisciplinary field with practical
applications to the design of systems in which micro
volumes of fluids are processed. It deals with the
behaviour, precise control and manipulation
of fluids that are geometrically constrained to a micron
scale. The behaviour of fluids at the micro scale can
differ from 'macro fluidic' behaviour in that factors such
as surface tension, energy dissipation and fluidic
resistance start to dominate the system.
Fluids at this scale are sensed ,moved, mixed,
separated or otherwise processed using special micro
fluidic instrumentation techniques.
Sensing techniques for micro fluidic parameters

Surface tension of a liquid/air/solid interface is

measured using a gonio meter which actually measures
the surface angle formed by a droplet of the fluid. A
technique is described for the measurement of fluid
temperatures in micro fluidic systems based on
temperature-dependent fluorescence using organic
chemicals like rhodamine B. Flow measurement is done
using flow sensors based on measuring the electrical
impedance of the interface between the flowing liquid
and metallic electrodes embedded on the channel
walls. We can also use optical techniques to measure
flow, if coloured fluid is passed through transparent
fluid channels.

Major problems involved in monitoring of fluids in micro

fluidic channels are:
Air gaps in micro fluidic channels whose
unpredictable behaviour might cause damage to
capillary walls as well as inaccuracy in sensing
techniques. Similarly, localized vacuum chambers
in capillaries might cause instantaneous boiling of
the fluid causing sudden changes in pressure and
temperature of the region.
Electrical interference and optic interference also is
an important factor. Conductivity of fluids is greatly
affected by energization through electrical and
optical means.
Micro fluidic systems are greatly affected by
surrounding environmental changes which must be
accounted for while calibrating transducers and
sensors for such systems.
Actuating techniques for small volumes of fluid

Numerous applications employ passive fluid control

techniques like capillary forces. In some applications
external actuation means like rotary drives, micro
pumps and micro valves are used for a directed
transport of the media. Active micro fluidics refers to
the defined manipulation of the working fluid by active
components such as micro pumps or micro valves.
Micro pumps supply fluids in a continuous manner or
are used for dosing. Micro valves determine the flow
direction or the mode of movement of pumped liquids.
Often processes which are normally carried out in a lab
are miniaturized on a single chip in order to enhance
efficiency and mobility as well as reducing sample and

reagent volumes. Acoustic droplet ejection is another

technique uses a pulse of ultrasound to move low
volumes of fluids (typically nano litres or pico litres)
without any physical contact. This technology focuses
acoustic energy into a fluid sample in order to eject
droplets as small as a pico litre.ADE technology is a
very gentle process, and it can be used to transfer
proteins, high molecular weight DNA and live cells
without damage or loss of viability. Digital micro
fluidics is an alternative technology for lab-on-a-chip
systems based upon micromanipulation of discrete
droplets. Micro fluidic processing is performed on unitsized packets of fluid which are transported, stored,
mixed, reacted, or analyzed in a discrete manner using
a standard set of basic instructions. Droplets are
formed using the surface tension properties of liquid.
For example, water placed on a hydrophobic surface
will lower its contact with the surface by creating drops
whose contact angle with the substrate will increase as
the hydrophobicity increases. However, in some cases
it is possible to control the hydrophobicity of the
substrate by using electrical fields. This is referred to
as Electro Wetting On Dielectric or EWOD.
Applications of micro fluidics

Major application areas of micro fluidics are:

Pharmaceutical testing of new medicines

Inkjet print head design
Molecular biology
Fuel cells(Micro fluidic fuel cells can use laminar
flow to separate the fuel and its oxidant to control
the interaction of the two fluids without a physical

barrier as would be required in conventional fuel

cells)
Clinical pathology(Lab on a chip technology, where
blood samples are instantly analysed for various
medical parameters on a microchip, with quick and
accurate results)
Optofluidics(a research and technology area that
combines the advantages of micro
fluidics and optics. Examples of optofluidic devices
are tuneable micro lens arrays and optofluidic
microscopes.Micro fluidic flow enables fast sample
put, automated imaging of large sample
populations, as well as 3D capabilities. or super
resolution)