A versatile capillaric circuits microfluidic viscometer

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Journal Article
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Date
2023
Authors
Meffan, Robert Claude
Menges , Julian
Mak , Daniel
Dolamore, Fabian
Fee , Conan
Nock, Volker
Dobson, Renwick C J
Abstract

A novel capillary-action microfluidic viscometer has been designed that can measure the relative viscosity of a sample compared to a control liquid. Using capillary action circuits, the viscosity of a sample is transformed into an easy-to-read comparative bargraph format while using no external instrumentation. This implementation is made practical through capillaric Field Effect Transistors, and the automated valving they enable. Using poly-ethylene glycol solutions as viscous samples, we demonstrate that the device can transduce the relative viscosity of a sample and control material consistently to within 2% in less than 5 minutes of measurement time. In addition, we show that the device can partially account for temperature through internal referencing. In the future, this device could be applied to medical care, quality assurance, and scientific measurements.

Description
Citation
Meffan C, Menges J, Mak D, Dolamore F, Fee C, Nock V, Dobson R (2023). A versatile capillaric circuits microfluidic viscometer. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical.
Keywords
capillaric circuits, capillary viscometer, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
40 - Engineering::4012 - Fluid mechanics and thermal engineering::401210 - Microfluidics and nanofluidics
40 - Engineering::4012 - Fluid mechanics and thermal engineering::401203 - Biomedical fluid mechanics
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All rights reserved unless otherwise stated