Capillaric field effect transistors
Abstract Controlling fluid flow in capillaric circuits is a key requirement to increase their uptake for assay applications. Capillary action off-valves provide such functionality by pushing an occluding bubble into the channel using a difference in capillary pressure. Previously, we utilized the bi...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2022-03-01
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Series: | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-022-00360-8 |
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author | Claude Meffan Julian Menges Fabian Dolamore Daniel Mak Conan Fee Renwick C. J. Dobson Volker Nock |
author_facet | Claude Meffan Julian Menges Fabian Dolamore Daniel Mak Conan Fee Renwick C. J. Dobson Volker Nock |
author_sort | Claude Meffan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Controlling fluid flow in capillaric circuits is a key requirement to increase their uptake for assay applications. Capillary action off-valves provide such functionality by pushing an occluding bubble into the channel using a difference in capillary pressure. Previously, we utilized the binary switching mode of this structure to develop a powerful set of fundamental fluidic valving operations. In this work, we study the transistor-like qualities of the off-valve and provide evidence that these structures are in fact functionally complementary to electronic junction field effect transistors. In view of this, we propose the new term capillaric field effect transistor to describe these types of valves. To support this conclusion, we present a theoretical description, experimental characterization, and practical application of analog flow resistance control. In addition, we demonstrate that the valves can also be reopened. We show modulation of the flow resistance from fully open to pinch-off, determine the flow rate–trigger channel volume relationship and demonstrate that the latter can be modeled using Shockley’s equation for electronic transistors. Finally, we provide a first example of how the valves can be opened and closed repeatedly. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:36Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-94db9269e6b44ba0b803fda823d597b3 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2055-7434 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:32:36Z |
publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
record_format | Article |
series | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
spelling | doaj.art-94db9269e6b44ba0b803fda823d597b32022-12-22T02:39:31ZengNature Publishing GroupMicrosystems & Nanoengineering2055-74342022-03-018111310.1038/s41378-022-00360-8Capillaric field effect transistorsClaude Meffan0Julian Menges1Fabian Dolamore2Daniel Mak3Conan Fee4Renwick C. J. Dobson5Volker Nock6Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of CanterburyDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of CanterburySchool of Biological Sciences, University of CanterburyDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of CanterburyBiomolecular Interaction Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of CanterburyBiomolecular Interaction Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of CanterburyDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of CanterburyAbstract Controlling fluid flow in capillaric circuits is a key requirement to increase their uptake for assay applications. Capillary action off-valves provide such functionality by pushing an occluding bubble into the channel using a difference in capillary pressure. Previously, we utilized the binary switching mode of this structure to develop a powerful set of fundamental fluidic valving operations. In this work, we study the transistor-like qualities of the off-valve and provide evidence that these structures are in fact functionally complementary to electronic junction field effect transistors. In view of this, we propose the new term capillaric field effect transistor to describe these types of valves. To support this conclusion, we present a theoretical description, experimental characterization, and practical application of analog flow resistance control. In addition, we demonstrate that the valves can also be reopened. We show modulation of the flow resistance from fully open to pinch-off, determine the flow rate–trigger channel volume relationship and demonstrate that the latter can be modeled using Shockley’s equation for electronic transistors. Finally, we provide a first example of how the valves can be opened and closed repeatedly.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-022-00360-8 |
spellingShingle | Claude Meffan Julian Menges Fabian Dolamore Daniel Mak Conan Fee Renwick C. J. Dobson Volker Nock Capillaric field effect transistors Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
title | Capillaric field effect transistors |
title_full | Capillaric field effect transistors |
title_fullStr | Capillaric field effect transistors |
title_full_unstemmed | Capillaric field effect transistors |
title_short | Capillaric field effect transistors |
title_sort | capillaric field effect transistors |
url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-022-00360-8 |
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