Motorola Corporation

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Robin Hui Liu

David James Beebe

Jeffrey S Moore

Piotr Grodzinski

David T Eddington

Randall Stevens

Justin J Bonanno

A fluidic valve ( ) switches a state of flow of a fluid in a fluid communication channel of a fluid guiding structure ( ). Heating a bi-phase valve element ( ) causes a change a state of the bi-phase valve element from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state. A bi-phase valve element that clogs the fluid communication channel can be pushed into an expanded portion ( ) of the fluid communication channel by an application of pressure to the fluid while the bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, unclogging the fluid communication channel. A bi-phase valve element can be pushed from a valve element source chamber ( ) into the fluid communication channel by using a pumped fluid entering the source chamber at a pump inlet ( ) while the bi-phase valve element is in the low viscosity state, clogging the fluid communication channel.

Fluidic valve having a bi-phase valve element

In accordance with the present invention, a microfluidic device and method of using the same is provided for self-regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The microfluidic device includes a body defining first and second flow channels. The first flow channel has an input for receiving the fluid and an output. The second flow channel has an input for receiving a compensating fluid to modify the value of the property of the fluid and an output communicating with the first flow channel. A polymeric material is disposed in the first flow channel downstream of the output of the second flow channel. The polymeric material has a volume responsive to the value of the property of the fluid. A valve is disposed in the second flow channel and is movable in response to the volume of the material. The valve is movable between the first open position allowing the compensating fluid to flow past the valve into the first flow channel and a second closed position limiting the flow of compensating fluid therepast.

Self-regulating microfluidic device and method of using the same

Growing community of inventors

Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Robin Hui Liu