Modeling New Design of Fluidic Microvalves

Abstract

We present a new design of PDMS microvalves based on bistable configuration of the separation membrane. PDMS elastomers are sensitive to several chemical solvents, which induce changes in the mechanical properties and swelling of the material. By using a soft rubber constitutive model, we numerically analyze the performance of new design of microvalves and microfluidic systems, able to reduce the magnitude of the activation pressure and the duration of the activation time