Flow control in a laminate capillary-driven microfluidic device

The Analyst ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhoon Jang ◽  
Hyunwoong Kang ◽  
Simon Song ◽  
David S. Dandy ◽  
Brian J. Geiss ◽  
...  

We present novel flow control methods including valve, mixing control, and flow rate control applicable to the laminate capillary-driven microfluidic devices.

2006 ◽  
Vol 1127 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuushi Sai ◽  
Masumi Yamada ◽  
Masahiro Yasuda ◽  
Minoru Seki

Author(s):  
Shuai Wu ◽  
Richard Burton ◽  
Zongxia Jiao ◽  
Juntao Yu ◽  
Rongjie Kang

This paper considers the feasibility of a new type of voice coil motor direct drive flow control servo valve. The proposed servo valve controls the flow rate using only a direct measurement of the spool position. A neural network is used to estimate the flow rate based on the spool position, velocity and coil current. The estimated flow rate is fed back to a closed loop controller. The feasibility of the concept is established using simulation techniques only at this point. All results are validated by computer co-simulation using AMESim and Simulink. A simulated model of a VCM-DDV (Voice Coil Motor-Direct Drive Valve) and hydraulic test circuit are built in an AMESim environment. A virtual digital controller is developed in a Simulink environment in which the feedback signals are received from the AMESim model; the controller outputs are sent to the VCM-DDV model in AMESim (by interfacing between these two simulation packages). A LQR (Linear Quadratic Regulator) state feedback and nonlinear compensator controller for spool position tracking is considered as this is the first step for flow control. A flow rate control loop is subsequently included via a neural network flow rate estimator. Simulation results show that this method could control the flow rate to an acceptable degree of precision, but only at low frequencies. This kind of valve can find usage in open loop hydraulic velocity control in many industrial applications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadayoshi Aoyama ◽  
◽  
Amalka De Zoysa ◽  
Qingyi Gu ◽  
Takeshi Takaki ◽  
...  

[abstFig src='/00280006/09.jpg' width='300' text='Snapshots of particle sorting experiment using our system' ] On-chip cell analysis is an important issue for microtechnology research, and microfluidic devices are frequently used in on-chip cell analysis systems. One approach to controlling the fluid flow in microfluidic devices for cell analysis is to use a suitable pumps. However, it is difficult to control the actual flow-rate in a microfluidic device because of the difficulty in placing flow-rate sensors in the device. In this study, we developed a real-time flow-rate control system that uses syringe pumps and high-speed vision to measure the actual fluid flow in microfluidic devices. The developed flow-rate control system was verified through experiments on microparticle velocity control and microparticle sorting.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhoon Jang ◽  
David S. Dandy ◽  
Brian J. Geiss ◽  
Charles Henry ◽  
Hyunwoong Kang ◽  
...  

Capillary-driven microfluidic devices are of significant interest for on-site analysis because they do not require external pumps and can be made from inexpensive materials. Among capillary-driven devices, those made from paper and polyester film are among the most common and have been used in a wide array of applications. However, since capillary forces are the only driving force, flow is difficult to control, and passive flow control methods such as changing the geometry must be used to accomplish various analytical applications. This study presents several new flow control methods that can be utilized in a laminate capillary-driven microfluidic device to increase available functionality. First, we introduce push and burst valve systems that can stop and start flow. These valves can be opened by either pressing the channel or inflowing other fluids to the valve region. Next, we propose flow control methods for Y-shaped channels that enable more functions. In one example, we demonstrate the ability to accurately control concentration and in a second example, flow rate in the main channel is controlled by adjusting the geometry of the inlet channel. Finally, the flow rate in the Y-shaped device as a function of channel height and fluid properties such as viscosity and surface tension was examined. As in previous studies on capillary-driven channels, the flow rate was affected by each parameter. The fluidic control tools presented here will enable new designs and functions for low cost point of need assays across a variety of fields.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhoon Jang ◽  
David S. Dandy ◽  
Brian J. Geiss ◽  
Charles Henry ◽  
Hyunwoong Kang ◽  
...  

Capillary-driven microfluidic devices are of significant interest for on-site analysis because they do not require external pumps and can be made from inexpensive materials. Among capillary-driven devices, those made from paper and polyester film are among the most common and have been used in a wide array of applications. However, since capillary forces are the only driving force, flow is difficult to control, and passive flow control methods such as changing the geometry must be used to accomplish various analytical applications. This study presents several new flow control methods that can be utilized in a laminate capillary-driven microfluidic device to increase available functionality. First, we introduce push and burst valve systems that can stop and start flow. These valves can be opened by either pressing the channel or inflowing other fluids to the valve region. Next, we propose flow control methods for Y-shaped channels that enable more functions. In one example, we demonstrate the ability to accurately control concentration and in a second example, flow rate in the main channel is controlled by adjusting the geometry of the inlet channel. Finally, the flow rate in the Y-shaped device as a function of channel height and fluid properties such as viscosity and surface tension was examined. As in previous studies on capillary-driven channels, the flow rate was affected by each parameter. The fluidic control tools presented here will enable new designs and functions for low cost point of need assays across a variety of fields.


Author(s):  
Lie Tang ◽  
Jianzhong Ruan ◽  
Robert G. Landers ◽  
Frank Liou

This paper proposes a novel method, called Variable Powder Flow Rate Control (VPFRC), for the regulation of powder flow rate in laser metal deposition processes. The idea of VPFRC is to adjust the powder flow rate to maintain a uniform powder deposition per unit length even when disturbances occur (e.g., the motion system accelerates and decelerates). Dynamic models of the powder delivery system motor and the powder transport system (i.e., five–meter pipe, powder dispenser, and cladding head) are constructed. A general tracking controller is then designed to track variable powder flow rate references. Since the powder flow rate at the nozzle exit cannot be directly measured, it is estimated using the powder transport system model. The input to this model is the DC motor rotation speed, which is estimated on–line using a Kalman filter. Experiments are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed control methodology. The experimental results demonstrate that the VPFRC method is successful in maintaining a uniform track morphology, even when the motion system accelerates and decelerates.


Author(s):  
Gaffar G. Momin

Cavitation phenomenon is basically a process formation of bubbles of a flowing liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapour pressure and it is the most challenging fluid flow abnormalities leading to detrimental effects on both the centrifugal pump discharge characteristics as well as physical characteristics. In this low pressure zones are the first victims of cavitation. Due to cavitation pitting of impeller occurs and wear of internal walls of pumps occurs due to which there is creation of vibrations and noize are there. Due to this there is bad performance of centrifugal pump is there. Firstly, description of the centrifugal pump with its various parts are described after that pump characteristics and its important parameters are presented and discussed. Passive discharge (flow rate) control methods are utilized for improvement of flow rate and mechanical and volumetric and overall efficiency of the pump. Mechanical engineers is considering an important phenomenon which is known as Cavitation due to which there is decrease in centrifugal pump performance. There is also effect on head of the pump which is getting reduced due to cavitation phenomenon. In present experimental investigation the cavitation phenomenon is studied by starting and running the pump at various discharges and cavitating conditions of the centrifugal pump. Passive discharge (flow rate) control is realized using three different impeller blade leading edge angles namely 9.5 degrees, 16.5 degrees .and 22.5 degrees for reduction in the cavitation and increase the of the centrifugal pump performance at different applications namely, domestic, industrial applications of the centrifugal pump.


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