Fluidic Path Research Articles

A self-powered origami paper analytical device with a pop-up structure for dual-mode electrochemical sensing of ATP assisted by glucose oxidase-triggered reaction

A self-powered origami paper-based analytical device (oPAD), being with a pop-up structure as mechanical valve to first realize dual-mode of differential pulse voltammery (DPV)/supercapacitor amplified signal read out systems, was designed for detecting adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) assisted by glucose oxidase (GOx)-triggered reaction. In order to accommodate the alternative step for dual-mode detection, a pop-up structure inspired by pop-up greeting cards was developed, making it possible to change the fluidic path with good registration and repeatability. To realize supercapacitor detection mode, a sandwich structure of a DNA sequence (DNA1), aptamer and a DNA sequence modified with GOx (GOx-DNA2) was formed on detection zone by hybridization reaction. With the addition of ATP, the GOx-DNA2 could be released with the specific binding between ATP and aptamer, and flowed into the reaction zone to catalyze the oxidation of glucose. Due to the difference in concentrations of [Fe(CN)6]3- and [Fe(CN)6]4- caused by the GOx-triggered reaction, a voltage could be produced to charge a paper supercapacitor which could provide a high instantaneous current with a digital multimeter to transduce the result of the assay, and realize the self-generation of an amplified electrical signal. By simply varying the direction of pop-up structure, the electrochemical signal from DPV read out mode could be achieved through catalytic oxidation of glucose by the remaining GOx-DNA2 on the detection zone. The proposed self-powered oPAD enabled the sensitive diagnosis of ATP in a linear range of 10–5000 nM with a limit of detection of 3 nM and 1.4 nM, respectively.

Gas-liquid hydrogenation in continuous flow – The effect of mass transfer and residence time in powder packed-bed and catalyst-coated reactors

Catalyst-coated tube reactors have been compared with the reactors packed with catalyst powder in alkyne semi-hydrogenation over a 5 wt% Pd/ZnO catalyst and cinnamic ester full hydrogenation over a 2.4 wt% Pd/C catalyst. The “powder packed-bed” reactors (packing with catalyst powder below 30 μm) showed irreproducible performance in time due to mobility of the catalyst layer in the bed which altered the fluidic path and therefore affected the mean liquid residence time and the dispersion. The catalyst-coated tube reactors demonstrated an ideal plug-flow behaviour (Péclet number > 120), while the powder packed-bed showed a considerable back-mixing (Péclet ~ 25). Under all conditions studied, the reaction rate in the powder packed-bed was limited by external mass transfer, while in the coated tube – by the intrinsic kinetics. The coated tubes demonstrated a much lower pressure drop, an improved alkene selectivity, and a 5 times higher throughput compared to the powder packed-bed. The dilution of the catalyst bed with glass beads improved the throughput 4-fold at the expense of 4-fold increase in the pressure drop. In full hydrogenation reaction, the catalyst-coated tube showed a 14 times higher throughput than in the powder packed-bed at the full alkyne conversion. A reactor model for the catalyst-coated tube has been proposed that takes into account the change in the fluid velocity during the reaction. The model described the reaction kinetics demonstrating that the catalyst-coated tubes can be used as a tool to obtain kinetic data in gas-liquid reactions in flow.

A Multilayer Polymer-Film Inertial Microfluidic Device for High-Throughput Cell Concentration.

We report here a novel multilayer polymer-film inertial microfluidic (MPIM) device with complex three-dimensional (3D) fluidic paths for realizing the massive parallelization of multiplexing functional channels. The proposed MPIM device is fabricated by simply stacking different polymer-film channel layers and adhesive layers. As a prototype demonstration, an MPIM device with multiplexing radially arrayed serpentine channels has been designed and fabricated. Seven functional layers are stacked in a vertical direction to create the 3D fluidic paths for realizing the functions of inertial cell concentration, fluid convergence, and flow resistance adjustment in an all-in-one device with a thickness of only 1.4 mm. Then, the physics and the concentration performances of our MPIM device are explored. The results indicate that our MPIM device is capable of concentrating various particles at a throughput up to 8 mL/min. Finally, we successfully apply our MPIM device to the high-throughput concentration of microalgae and trace tumor cells from large background fluids. We envision the wide application of our MPIM device as a low-cost "on-chip centrifuge" for the concentration of various bioparticles.

Auto-cleaning paper-based electrochemiluminescence biosensor coupled with binary catalysis of cubic Cu2O-Au and polyethyleneimine for quantification of Ni2+ and Hg2+

Inspired by the pop-up greeting cards, a 3D collapsible auto-cleaning paper-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor (CAPEB) with different functions of signal collection and residual multiple cleaning, is developed for sensitive detection of Ni2+ and Hg2+ by simply regulating its 3D configurations. The multiple fluidic paths and the hollow-channel structure were firstly integrated into the paper substrate, realizing simultaneously repetitive auto-cleaning of the two working electrodes. For achieving ultrasensitive Ni2+ and Hg2+ monitoring, binary catalysis consisting of the intermolecular co-reaction (H2O2 and N-(4-Aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI)) and intramolecular catalysis (polyethyleneimine (PEI)-ABEI) was introduced. Specifically, silver nanospheres with a large specific surface area and excellent conductivity were grown on the paper working electrode and served as the sensor substrate for fixing PEI-ABEI and Ni2+-specific DNAzyme. With the assistance of DNAzyme, Cu2O-Au and ferrocene (Fc) labeled strand S2 were immobilized on electrode surface through the hybridization reaction, and catalyzed H2O2 to generate reactive oxygen species, promoting the luminescence of ABEI. In the existence of Ni2+, DNAzyme was activated followed by cleavage of strand S2 to induce the release of Fc, which quenched the ECL signal of ABEI, eventually realizing the detection of Ni2+. Similarly, for sensitive quantification of Hg2+, full thymine (T) bases strand S3 was modified on surface of Cu2O-Au and anchored Hg2+ by T-Hg2+-T pairing interaction. The ECL intensity was decreased along with increasing of Hg2+ due to the quenching effect of Hg2+ on ECL emission of ABEI. Based on this ingenious system, the detection of Ni2+ and Hg2+ had high sensitivity, wide linear ranges, and low detection limits. The results indicated that the integration of a multi-channel structure into a paper device chips opened new opportunities for designing promising paper-based devices for metal ions diagnosis.

Digital acoustofluidics enables contactless and programmable liquid handling

For decades, scientists have pursued the goal of performing automated reactions in a compact fluid processor with minimal human intervention. Most advanced fluidic handling technologies (e.g., microfluidic chips and micro-well plates) lack fluid rewritability, and the associated benefits of multi-path routing and re-programmability, due to surface-adsorption-induced contamination on contacting structures. This limits their processing speed and the complexity of reaction test matrices. We present a contactless droplet transport and processing technique called digital acoustofluidics which dynamically manipulates droplets with volumes from 1 nL to 100 µL along any planar axis via acoustic-streaming-induced hydrodynamic traps, all in a contamination-free (lower than 10−10% diffusion into the fluorinated carrier oil layer) and biocompatible (99.2% cell viability) manner. Hence, digital acoustofluidics can execute reactions on overlapping, non-contaminated, fluidic paths and can scale to perform massive interaction matrices within a single device.

Development of PZT Actuated Valveless Micropump

A piezoelectrically actuated valveless micropump has been designed and developed. The principle components of this system are piezoelectrically actuated (PZT) metal diaphragms and a complete fluid flow system. The design of this pump mainly focuses on a cross junction, which is generated by a nozzle jet attached to a pump chamber and the intersection of two inlet channels and an outlet channel respectively. During each PZT diaphragm vibration cycle, the junction connecting the inlet and outlet channels with the nozzle jet permits consistencies in fluidic momentum and resistances in order to facilitate complete fluidic path throughout the system, in the absence of any physical valves. The entire micropump structure is fabricated as a plate-by-plate element of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheets and sandwiched to get required fluidic network as well as the overall device. In order to identify the flow characteristics, and to validate the test results with numerical simulation data, FEM analysis using ANSYS was carried out and an eigenfrequency analysis was performed to the PZT diaphragm using COMSOL Multiphysics. In addition, the control system of the pump was designed and developed to change the applied frequency to the piezoelectric diaphragms. The experimental data revealed that the maximum flow rate is 31.15 mL/min at a frequency of 100 Hz. Our proposed design is not only for a specific application but also useful in a wide range of biomedical applications.

The advancement and perspective of flow cytometry

Flow Cytometry acting as a popular technology based on single cell with high throughput and high content in all-round life science fields besides clinical diagnosis, has been launched for more than 52 years, With the advancement of fluidic path, photic path(including novel labeling dye) together with signal collection, transformation and algorithm et al. Particularly, traditional flow cytometry combined with mass spectrometry, microfluidic technology, image principle, Raman spectrometry and so on, resulted in flow cytometry being applied in hematology, immunology, oncology with an enhanced performance. Meanwhile, the improvement of standardization and quality control will boost the flow cytometry in clinical application. (Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 20-23) Key words: Flow cytometry; Mass spectrometry; Raman spectrometry; Microfluidic chip; In vivo; Quality control

Internal Light Source-Driven Photoelectrochemical 3D-rGO/Cellulose Device Based on Cascade DNA Amplification Strategy Integrating Target Analog Chain and DNA Mimic Enzyme.

In this work, a chemiluminescence-driven collapsible greeting card-like photoelectrochemical lab-on-paper device (GPECD) with hollow channel was demonstrated, in which target-triggering cascade DNA amplification strategy was ingeniously introduced. The GPECD had the functions of reagents storage and signal collection, and the change of configuration could control fluidic path, reaction time and alterations in electrical connectivity. In addition, three-dimentional reduced graphene oxide affixed Au flower was in situ grown on paper cellulose fiber for achieving excellent conductivity and biocompatibility. The cascade DNA amplification strategy referred to the cyclic formation of target analog chain and its trigger action to hybridization chain reaction (HCR), leading to the formation of numerous hemin/G-quadruplex DNA mimic enzyme with the presence of hemin. Subjected to the catalysis of hemin/G-quadruplex, the strong chemiluminiscence of luminol-H2O2 system was obtained, which then was used as internal light source to excite photoactive materials realizing the simplification of instrument. In this analyzing process, thrombin served as proof-of-concept, and the concentration of target was converted into the DNA signal output by the specific recognition of aptamer-protein and target analog chain recycling. The target analog chain was produced in quantity with the presence of target, which further triggered abundant HCR and introduced hemin/G-quadruplex into the system. The photocurrent signal was obtained after the nitrogen-doped carbon dots sensitized ZnO was stimulated by chemiluminescence. The proposed GPECD exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity toward thrombin with a detection limit of 16.7 fM. This judiciously engineered GPECD paved a luciferous way for detecting other protein with trace amounts in bioanalysis and clinical biomedicine.

Programmable fluid transport on photolithographically micropatterned cloth devices: Towards the development of facile, multifunctional colorimetric diagnostic platforms

In this work, a novel strategy to construct coin-sized, multifunctional micropatterned cloth devices (μPCDs) based on programmable fluid transport has been reported for the first time. A photolithography technique is used to fabricate μPCDs that operate as simple disposable colorimetric sensors. This fabrication method allows hydrophobic barriers to be well integrated onto the cloth channels to form programmable cloth-based diagnostic devices. In the present study, several different programmable μPCDs were designed and fabricated, including basic μPCDs, μPCDs with parallel or serial fluidic paths, and μPCDs with serial-parallel fluidic paths. The fluid transport in the resulting μPCDs was programmed to provide qualitative or quantitative analyses. The μPCDs with serial-parallel fluidic paths were used as prototypes for qualitative detection of glucose concentration, pH, and protein concentration in artificial urine (AU) samples. Moreover, a single cloth-based device could be programmed for sequential reaction processes, and the quantitative detection of nickel(II) ions in water, nitrite ions in AU, and glucose in AU by two-step enzymatic reactions was achieved. The results indicate that the developed programmable μPCDs can provide a new sensing platform for other biochemical assays.

Reduction of metal adducts in oligonucleotide mass spectra in ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis.

RationaleElectrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS)‐based techniques commonly used in oligonucleotide analyses are known to be sensitive to alkali metal adduct formation. Adducts directly impact the sensitivity of MS‐based analyses as the available charge is distributed across the parent peak and adduct(s). The current study systematically evaluated common liquid chromatography (LC) components in LC/ESI‐MS configurations used in oligonucleotide analysis to identify metal adduct contributions from LC instrumentation.MethodsA UPLC liquid chromatography system was configured with a single quadrupole MS detector (ACQUITY QDa, Waters Corp.) to monitor adduct formation in oligonucleotide separations. An ion‐pairing mobile phase comprised of 15 mM triethylamine and 400 mM hexafluoro‐2‐propanol was used in conjunction with an oligonucleotide separation column (Waters OST BEH C18, 2.1 mm × 50 mm) for all separations. A 10‐min method was used to provide statistical figures of merit and evaluate adduct formation over time.ResultsTrace alkali metal salts in the mobile phase and reagents were determined to be the main source of metal salt adducts in LC/ESI‐MS‐based configurations. Non‐specific adsorption sites located throughout the fluidic path contribute to adduct formation in oligonucleotide analyses. Ion‐pairing mobile phases prepared at neutral or slightly basic pH result in up to a 57% loss of spectral abundance to adduct formation in the current study.ConclusionsImplementation of a short low pH reconditioning step was observed to effectively displace trace metal salts non‐specifically adsorbed to surfaces in the fluidic path and was able to maintain an average MS spectral abundance ≥94% with a high degree of repeatability (relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) 0.8%) over an extended time study. The proposed method offers the ability to rapidly regenerate adsorption sites with minimal impact on productivity while retaining assay sensitivity afforded by MS detection with reduced adduct formation. © 2016 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Paper-Based "Pop-up" Electrochemical Device for Analysis of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate.

This paper describes the design and fabrication of a "pop-up" electrochemical paper-based analytical device (pop-up-EPAD) to measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)-a biomarker for diabetic ketoacidosis-using a commercial combination BHB/glucometer. Pop-up-EPADs are inspired by pop-up greeting cards and children's books. They are made from a single sheet of paper folded into a three-dimensional (3D) device that changes shape, and fluidic and electrical connectivity, by simply folding and unfolding the structure. The reconfigurable 3D structure makes it possible to change the fluidic path and to control timing; it also provides mechanical support for the folded and unfolded structures that enables good registration and repeatability on folding. A pop-up-EPAD designed to detect BHB shows performance comparable to commercially available plastic test strips over the clinically relevant range of BHB in blood when used with a commercial glucometer that integrates the ability to measure glucose and BHB (combination BHB/glucometer). With simple modifications of the electrode and the design of the fluidic path, the pop-up-EPAD also detects BHB in buffer using a simple glucometer-a device that is more available than the combination BHB/glucometer. Strategies that use a "3D pop-up"-that is, large-scale changes in 3D structure and fluidic paths-by folding/unfolding add functionality to EPADs (e.g., controlled timing, fluidic handling and path programming, control over complex sequences of steps, and alterations in electrical connectivity) and should enable the development of new classes of paper-based diagnostic devices.

Three-dimensional paper-based slip device for one-step point-of-care testing.

In this study, we developed a new type of paper-based analytical device (PAD), the three-dimensional (3D) slip-PAD, to detect infectious human norovirus for global healthcare. The 3D configuration of the papers combined with a slip design provides unique features and versatility that overcome the limitations of fluidic manipulation and sensitivity in point-of-care (POC) tests. The assay can be carried out in a single step based on a moveable slip design, making it suitable for unskilled users. The 3D fluidic network developed by layered construction of wax-patterned papers provides different fluidic paths for the sequential delivery of multiple fluids without the need for peripheral equipment. The release and mixing of enhancement reagents on the device improved the sensitivity and detection limit. The assay results could be visualized by naked eye within 10 min, with subsequent amplification of the signal over time (<60 min). The device showed a broad dynamic range of detection and high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 9.5 × 104 copies ml−1 for human norovirus. These results demonstrate that the 3D slip-PAD is a sensitive diagnostic assay for detecting human norovirus infection that is particularly suitable for POC testing in regions where resources are scarce.

Non-contact reflectometric readout of disposable microfluidic devices by near infra-red low-coherence interferometry

We are here demonstrating the functionality of infra-red low-coherence reflectometry for the spot optical readout of solution concentrations in commercially available microfluidic devices. Disposable polymeric microfluidic devices composed by 100-µm-deep channels were connected to an external fluidic path that allowed flow-through of water-glucose solutions at different concentrations. Measurements were performed with near-infrared low-power sources, namely a tungsten lamp and a Superluminescent Light Emitting Diode (SLED), allowing the read-out in a wavelength region of minimum invasiveness for biological fluids. The selected optical scheme based on an all-fiber Michelson configuration is well suited for non-contact, remote investigations of the fluids flowing in plastic microfluidic devices, with arbitrary layout and thickness. For the first time, using the SLED, we exploited the double round trip of light in the fluid channel for doubling the sensitivity with respect to the standard single pass set-up, previously demonstrated.

A movable polymeric microneedle array actuated by thermopneumatic force

A movable microneedle array, which can be switched on–off electrically, is reported. Unlike conventional microneedle arrays, which are usually fixed on substrates, the active microneedle array can move in and out by thermopneumatic force, so that drugs can be delivered or body liquid can be extracted through the skin surface (epidermis) only when needed. The active microneedle array consists of four layers: an air microchamber, a microfluidic channel, a microneedle array, and a protection layer. These four layers are made of PDMS and SU-8, and are assembled together on a glass substrate. As the microheater (Ti/Pt), integrated with a temperature sensor, heats up the air inside the microchamber, the microchamber volume expands, moving the microneedle array in the outward direction. The microfluidic channel layer acts as not only a fluidic path but also a mechanical support for the microneedle array. The microneedle array moves out to 413μm, which distance is sufficient to deliver drugs or extract body liquid through the skin surface. The measured actuation force was 40mN when the initial gap between the microneedle tip and the force gauge was 50μm. Operation conditions for successful skin penetration using the fabricated movable microneedle array were confirmed in the experimental study using chicken flesh.

Design of a microfluidic strategy for trapping and screening single cells

Traditionally, in vitro investigations on biology and physiology of cells rely on averaging the responses eliciting from heterogeneous cell populations, thus being unsuitable for assessing individual cell behaviors in response to external stimulations. In the last years, great interest has thus been focused on single cell analysis and screening, which represents a promising tool aiming at pursuing the direct and deterministic control over cause-effect relationships guiding cell behavior. In this regard, a high-throughput microfluidic platform for trapping and culturing adherent single cells was presented. A single cell trapping mechanism was implemented based on dynamic variation of fluidic resistances. A round-shaped culture chamber (Φ = 250 µm, h = 25 µm) was conceived presenting two connections with a main fluidic path: (i) an upper wide opening, and (ii) a bottom trapping junction which modulates the hydraulic resistance. Starting from eight different layouts, the chamber geometry was computationally optimized for maximizing the single cell trapping efficacy and then integrated in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device. The final platform consists in (i) 288 chambers for trapping single cells organized in six culture units, independently addressable through the lines of (ii) a chaotic-mixer based serial dilution generator (SDG), designed for creating spatio-temporally controlled patterns of both soluble factors and non-diffusive particles. The device was experimentally validated by trapping polystyrene microspheres, featuring diameters comparable to cell size (Φ = 10 µm).

Pneumatic siphon valving and switching in centrifugal microfluidics controlled by rotational frequency or rotational acceleration

Air-pressure-mediated, pneumatic siphon valves employ temporary storage and subsequent release of pneumatic energy, exclusively controlled by rotation of the disk. Implementation is easy, and robust valves can be integrated in a monolithic way at minimum additional costs. However, so far, pneumatic siphon valving requires deceleration from high to low rotational frequencies. Valve opening is performed always when the rotation of the disk drops below a critical rotational frequency. To overcome this limitation, we introduce new concepts for pneumatic siphon valving which enable operation of the disk at any rotational frequency without unwanted bursts of the siphon valves. Thus, the design space for pneumatic siphon valves in centrifugal microfluidics is significantly extended. Three types of pneumatic siphon valves are presented with release control at (1) rotational frequencies between 25 and 48 Hz, (2) positive rotational accelerations between 1 and 22 Hz s−1, and (3) negative rotational accelerations between 5 and 20 Hz s−1. Finally, we combine two valve types to realize robust switching into two fluidic paths with flow rate ratios of 94/6 and 0/100.

"Paper Machine" for Molecular Diagnostics.

Clinical tests based on primer-initiated amplification of specific nucleic acid sequences achieve high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Despite these desirable characteristics, these tests have not reached their full potential because their complexity and expense limit their usefulness to centralized laboratories. This paper describes a device that integrates sample preparation and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with end point detection using a hand-held UV source and camera phone. The prototype device integrates paper microfluidics (to enable fluid handling) and a multilayer structure, or a "paper machine", that allows a central patterned paper strip to slide in and out of fluidic path and thus allows introduction of sample, wash buffers, amplification master mix, and detection reagents with minimal pipetting, in a hand-held, disposable device intended for point-of-care use in resource-limited environments. This device creates a dynamic seal that prevents evaporation during incubation at 65 °C for 1 h. This interval is sufficient to allow a LAMP reaction for the Escherichia coli malB gene to proceed with an analytical sensitivity of 1 double-stranded DNA target copy. Starting with human plasma spiked with whole, live E. coli cells, this paper demonstrates full integration of sample preparation with LAMP amplification and end point detection with a limit of detection of 5 cells. Further, it shows that the method used to prepare sample enables concentration of DNA from sample volumes commonly available from fingerstick blood draw.

Flexible multi-channel microelectrode with fluidic paths for intramuscular stimulation and recording

Biomedical microelectrodes play a significant role in motor paralysis recovery caused by spinal cord injury (SCI). As most researchers focused on implantable microelectrodes with multiple functions for neural studies and application, we developed flexible intramuscular microelectrodes integrated wire electrodes for functional electrical stimulation (FES) and electromyogram (EMG) recording with micro tube channels for fluidic drug delivery. The electrodes were electrochemically deposited with conducting polymer (PEDOT/pTS) coating to improve the electrode performance including electrochemical impedance and charge storage capacity (CSC). Moreover, the excellent mechanical and electrochemical stability of PEDOT/pTS coated electrodes was verified by withstanding ultrasonic bath and experiencing repeated cyclic voltammetry (CV) scan. Furthermore, the fluidic property of the micro channels of electrodes was investigated to be suitable for intramuscular drug delivery. In addition, electrophysiological experiments in vivo comprising FES and EMG recording were performed to evaluate the practical application of flexible intramuscular microelectrodes. As a consequence, the developed multi-functional intramuscular microelectrodes are suitable for intramuscular implantation and electrophysiological application, and open a new gate for future researchers on intramuscular motor prostheses for paralysis recovery.

Centrifugo-pneumatic sedimentation, re-suspension and transport of microparticles.

Microparticles are widely used as solid phase for affinity-based separation. Here, we introduce a new method for automated handling of microparticles in centrifugal microfluidics that is not restricted by the particle size and requires neither auxiliary means such as magnets nor coating of microfluidic structures. All steps are initiated and controlled by the speed of rotation only. It is based on storage and "on demand" release of pneumatic energy within tunable time frames: a slow release of the pneumatic energy triggers a first fluidic path through which the supernatant above the sedimented particles is removed. An abrupt release triggers a second path which allows for liquid routing and transport of the re-suspended particles. Re-suspension of particles is thereby achieved by quickly changing the speed of rotation. We demonstrate the exchange of the particle carrier medium with a supernatant removal efficiency of more than 99.5% and a particle loss below 4%. Re-suspension and subsequent transport of suspended particles show a particle loss below 7%. The method targets the automation of particle-based assays e.g. DNA extractions and immunoassays. It is compatible with monolithic integration and suitable for mass production technologies e.g. thermoforming or injection moulding.

Piezoelectric peristaltic micropump with a single actuator

A high performance piezoelectric PDMS peristaltic micropump with a single actuator is presented that enables driving with less expensive and simpler single-phase controllers while maintaining all the superior properties of conventional peristaltic micropumps, such as robustness, simplicity and purity due to the absence of valves. A simple structural design is based on a centrally placed inlet port which leads directly into the center of the pumping chamber. During excitation the loosely attached glass membrane and elastomer (PDMS) deform in a controlled manner, which enables compression and expansion of the central inlet port and the outlet fluidic channel with a phase lag that is typical for operation of peristaltic pumps. For proper micropump operation, the volume of the circular pumping chamber area should be much larger than the volume around the secondary deformation extremum that appears in the area of the outlet fluidic channel. To experimentally validate the principle of operation and evaluate the repeatability of the fabrication process, four monoactuator peristaltic (MAP) micropump prototypes were fabricated and characterized. Fabricated prototypes featured high water / air flowrate performance (up to 0.24 ml min−1/up to 0.84 ml min−1), back-pressure performance (up to 360 mbar/up to 80 mbar) and suction pressure performance (down to −165 mbar/down to −140 mbar). Furthermore, bubble tolerance and self-priming capability have been proved, together with valve regime of operation that enables sealing of the fluidic path when appropriate dc voltage is applied.