Journal: PLoS ONE

Article Title: 3D Printed Multimaterial Microfluidic Valve

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160624

Figure Lengend Snippet: Measurements of fluid flow through the 3D printed multimaterial valve with varying applied pressure to the control channel are plotted. Dimensions and materials were varied according to , with a standard membrane thickness of 300 μm, control channel width of 800 μm, control channel height of 800 μm, and a semi-circular flow channel radius of 400 μm. Proportional control of the flow rate is demonstrated and the design parameters are explored through varying membrane thickness (top), control channel width (middle), and membrane material (bottom). Connecting lines are shown only for visualization and the charted points and error bars represent the measured data. For membrane thickness and control channel width, two prints of each design file were tested and each is plotted using the average of two trials per print. The bracketed number in the legend indicates a different print of the same design file and both are plotted for clarity with the same color. Membrane material type tests used a single print. Error bars show repeatability between trials at the same pressure for different prints of the same valve specifications (± 4.4 psi, calculated with 95% confidence interval). Listed stiffness values for the membrane material are sourced from Stratasys, Ltd. Material data sheets . Please see the Supporting Information for all of the data from the trials.

Article Snippet: While the multimaterial 3D printer used for valve fabrication is an expensive and high performance machine, the low material cost per microfluidic device allows for future accessibility through distributed fabrication spaces, such as a TechShop location [ ], or consumer-friendly online 3D fabrication services like Shapeways [ ] or i.materialise [ ], where custom parts can be printed for a fee without ownership of a printer.

Techniques: Control, Membrane

Journal: PLoS ONE

Article Title: 3D Printed Multimaterial Microfluidic Valve

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160624

Figure Lengend Snippet: A) A 3D printed single material multichannel valve system (top left) and a 3D printed multimaterial multichannel valve system (bottom left). The single material valve contains two control channels with square chambers both above and below the flow channels and the multimaterial valve uses the same design methodology previous described in the paper. For the multimaterial multichannel valve, all channel valves are actuated at the same time by the control line. The global deformation of the single material valve system is significantly larger than the multimaterial valve during actuation, as seen in B) A 3D printed multimaterial valve with chemiluminescent liquid in the control and flow channels for visualization (right).

Article Snippet: While the multimaterial 3D printer used for valve fabrication is an expensive and high performance machine, the low material cost per microfluidic device allows for future accessibility through distributed fabrication spaces, such as a TechShop location [ ], or consumer-friendly online 3D fabrication services like Shapeways [ ] or i.materialise [ ], where custom parts can be printed for a fee without ownership of a printer.

Techniques: Control