Fig. 1: Fabricated PDMS macrovalve. | Microsystems & Nanoengineering

Fig. 1: Fabricated PDMS macrovalve.

From: Systematic characterization of cleanroom-free fabricated macrovalves, demonstrating pumps and mixers for automated fluid handling tuned for organ-on-chip applications

Fig. 1

a, b Top-view microscopic pictures of: a a control layer with an open valve and a bridge, b a pressurized control channel with a closed valve and a bridge, not closing the flow channel. The rounded flow channels contain blue food coloring, and the control channels contain water. c Schematic illustration of an open and a closed valve from a cross sectional view at the site of the valve. By pressurizing the control channel (P ↑ ), the valve closes. d–g Simplified illustration of the fabrication process. d A micromilled mold with an upstanding, rounded structure is used to cast PDMS as flow layer. e A micromilled mold with rectangular structures (control channels) is used as control layer. PDMS can be spin-coated on the mold, resulting in a thin PDMS membrane between the control channel and the flow channel. f PDMS can be precured, and the two layers can be subsequently aligned. g The control layer is bonded to a glass slide. The final fabricated device consists of three layers; a glass slide, the control layer, and the flow layer

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