Work

Integrated wax valve for robust fluid control in an electrochemical fabric-based device

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: the device, reducing the need for off-chip sample handling. In this study, we describe the operation and characterization of a wax-based valving method with an integrated resistive heater in fabric for automated fluid delivery. The combination of wax-transfer-printed wax barrier and stencil-printed conductive ink heating element in fabric is a novel approach for achieving fluid control. We demonstrate robust valve operation and a rapid valve response time, and quantify the reproducibility of fluid flow through replicate valves. Further, we characterize wax redistribution in fabric using optical methods and scanning electron microscope imaging. Finally, we demonstrate valve utility in the context of on-device incubation in a fabric-based device for electrochemical glucose sensing. With a fabrication method that is compatible with a variety of substrates, this valving method has broad applicability.

Source: Analytical Methods

DOI: 10.1039/c9ay01648a

Authors: Corey Downs, Arianna Nejely, Elain Fu

Institution: Oregon State University

Language: English

Topic: Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Oregon State University, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Award: SCH: Wireless battery-less smart sensing and analytic with application to wound assessment