MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE WITH A CHAMBER FOR STORING A LIQUID

• US 20130186512A1
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Dorrer, Christian
• Application Number:
  US13/556,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20130186512A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/2
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 2201/058 Microfluidics not provided for in B81B2201/051 - B81B2201/054
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00206 Processes for functionalising a surface, e.g. provide the surface with specific mechanical, chemical or biological properties

Abstract

A microfluidic device has a chamber for storing a liquid. The chamber includes at least in part a hydrophobic surface on an internal wall.

Claims

1. A microfluidic device, comprising:

a chamber configured to store a liquid;

wherein the chamber has an internal wall and includes at least in part a hydrophobic surface or a superhydrophobic surface on the internal wall.

2. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is positioned in an operating state in such a way that at least one junction of a channel leading into the chamber is directed in the direction of one or more of a gravitational force acting on the liquid and a centrifugal force acting on the liquid.

3. The microfluidic device according to claim 2, wherein the junction is arranged at an internal wall of funnel-shaped or hemispherical construction.

4. The microfluidic device according to claim 2, further comprising a first layer and a second layer, wherein at least one of the first and second layers is patterned, and wherein the first and second layers are joined together in such a way that the channel is formed between them.

5. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the chamber includes at least one orifice configured for pressure equalization, application of a positive pressure, or the introduction of liquids.

6. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic surface exhibits a contact angle hysteresis of at most 10 degrees.

7. The microfluidic device according to claim 1, wherein the superhydrophobic property of the surface arises as a result of one or more of hydrophobic microparticles applied to the surface, a hydrophobic polymer layer applied to the surface, electrospinning of hydrophobic fibers, the introduction of micropatterned hydrophobized silicon platelets, a sol-gel processes, and etching by use of plasma.

8. A method for filling and emptying a chamber that includes at least in part a superhydrophobic surface on an internal wall, comprising:

orienting the chamber in a field of one or more of a gravitational force and a centrifugal force;

filling the chamber with a liquid via an inlet channel;

storing the liquid in the chamber; and

emptying the chamber via an outlet channel.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the chamber is filled with a further liquid before emptying, the further liquid being mixed with the liquid.