A Valveless Pneumatic Fluid Transfer Technique Applied To Standard Additions on a Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a valveless pneumatic fluid transfer technique applicable to centrifugal microfluidic platforms. The technique involves using compressed gas to generate a pneumatic force, which works together with the centrifugal force to control and direct fluid flow. Fluid can be pneumatically transferred from chamber to chamber, greatly decreasing the number of conventional valves required in a multistep process. By varying the rotational frequency of the centrifugal microfluidic platform while pneumatic force is applied, sequential fluid transfer steps can be achieved. The effectiveness of this fluid transfer method is demonstrated by performing a standard additions calibration. This technique is shown to be robust, easy to implement, and greatly reduces the design limitations traditionally associated with centrifugal microfluidic platforms.