Abstract
In this paper, we describe how to create simple fluidic systems incorporating soft polymer actuator valves, that can provide highly precise control of flow rates in fluidic channels as an example of a 4D-materials based platform. The particular approach we describe employs photoresponsive gels that swell/contract via a light stimulus, enabling flow behavior to be controlled from outside the fluidic platform in a completely remote and non-contact manner. An improved synthesis of the spiropyran molecular photoswitch that delivers high yields (77%) using scalable green chemistry is described, along with details on how to build the valve structures in custom designed sites within the fluidic system. Fabrication of a demonstrator fluidic system incorporating up to four valves is described, along with electronics and in-house developed PID control software for achieving precise control of flow in the channels using LEDs. The resulting system demonstrates an innovative approach to microfluidics that offers scalability in terms of the number of polymer actuators along with wide variability of actuator form and function.
Highlights
Society is set to be transformed by the impact of breakthroughs emerging from fundamental materials science and engineering
We are interested in the application of these ideas in microfluidic platforms, as this could open the way to significant advances in an array to technologies allied with 3D tissue and organ engineering, new approaches to in-situ molecular sensing for personal health and environmental monitoring, and new concepts in drug delivery
The synthesis presented above shows that the key component, the spiropyran photoswitch, can be synthesized in high yields using new methods consistent with green chemistry that can be scaled up as needed
Summary
Society is set to be transformed by the impact of breakthroughs emerging from fundamental materials science and engineering. While the concept and platform may appear relatively simple, producing and validating these ideas in a typical research group is far from easy, as it requires the involvement of a team of researchers whose expertize ranges from synthetic chemistry, through 3D printing, microfluidics, photonics, stimuliresponsive soft materials, and computer coding. Mobilizing this breadth of expertize in a coherent effort is challenging but essential if the tremendous potential of this change is to be realized. It is our hope that this paper will inspire other groups to travel along this very exciting pathway
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