Leakage-free reconfigurable microchannel having moving sidewalls sealed with hydrocarbon sealant and oil seals

Abstract

In conventional micro-fluidic devices, it is difficult to transport gaseous and solid as well as liquid, or change the size of the channel depending on cell proliferation. We have developed a reconfigurable microfluidic channel with movable sidewalls by mechanically discretized sidewalls with laterally aligned rectangular pins. However, the leakage of fluid through the gap between pins by capillary action is problematic. To address these problems, we have introduced hydrocarbon wax and silicone adhesive to fill the gap, and have studied the effect of pin-to-pin gaps and the surface roughness of pins on the leakage.