A microfluidic device includes a device body defining a microfluidic pathway including a first channel, a second channel downstream of the first channel, and a junction including a transition between the first channel and the second channel. The transition is configured to inhibit fluid entering the transition from the first channel from forming a meniscus across the second channel, thereby inhibiting capillary-driven flow into the second channel. The microfluidic device further includes a valve that, when activated while capillary-driven flow of the fluid is inhibited at the transition, induces capillary-driven flow through the second channel by facilitating formation of the meniscus.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.

Examples include microfluidic devices. Example microfluidic devices comprise a microfluidic channel, a capillary chamber, and a fluidic actuator. The microfluidic channel is fluidly connected to the capillary chamber. The capillary chamber is to restrict flow of fluid therethrough. The fluidic actuator is positioned proximate the capillary chamber. The fluidic actuator is to actuate to thereby initiate flow of fluid through the capillary chamber.

A microfluidic analysis device and manufacturing method are provided. The microfluidic analysis device includes a capillary substrate, a cover substrate adjacent to a cover side of the capillary substrate and/or a bottom substrate adjacent to a bottom side of the capillary substrate, a capillary structure with at least one capillary, forming a hollow channel, in the interior of the capillary substrate and/or at the interface of the capillary substrate with the cover substrate and/or at the interface of the capillary substrate with the bottom substrate and also a fluid-conducting arrangement for conducting a fluid through the capillary structure. The fluid-conducting arrangement may be designed for compartmenting the fluid by way of controlled pressure pulses. A linear sensor element, which extends toward a capillary of the capillary structure and/or away from it and/or along the capillary, and a fluid contact end of which and at least an adjacent part of its feed lie in an identical plane to the capillary, may be integrated in the microfluidic analysis device, the element finishing with its fluid contact end flush against a side wall of the capillary or extending into the hollow channel thereof.

A microfluidic device for electrically activating a passive capillary stop valve, an apparatus and method are provided. The microfluidic device includes a first channel for containing a first fluid, and an output channel, wherein the first channel comprises a first interface with the output channel, and the first interface comprises a capillary stop valve characterised in that the microfluidic device also comprises a second channel for containing a second fluid, wherein the second channel comprises a second interface with the output channel, and the first channel and the second channel are electrically isolated from each other, and the first interface and the second interface are arranged relative to each other thereby being configured to activate fluid flow from the first channel into the output channel when a first fluid and a second fluid are present, and an electrical potential difference is applied between the first fluid and the second fluid.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.

A microfluidic valve may include a first portion of a liquid conduit to contain a fluid, a second portion of the liquid conduit to contain a liquid and a constriction between the first portion and the second portion and across which a capillary meniscus is to form between the fluid and liquid, the constriction comprising an edge along a ceiling of the constriction.

Systems and methods for fabricating 3D soft microstructures. The system comprises injecting a pressurized, curable liquid into certain structural layers induces folding and allows the 2D structures to reconfigure into a 3D form In addition to the injection of a curable liquid that permanently reconfigures the structure of the system, in an embodiment this method also allows for the injection of other liquids into certain actuator layers that enable motion in certain portions of the system Furthermore, the system allows for handling of colored fluids that are passed to visualization layers. The method of creating such a system depends on taking advantage of laser machining of the individual layers to influence the behavior of how different portions bend and move.

A microfabricated valve with no moving parts. In one embodiment, the valve includes a reservoir of a liquid that is in fluid communication with an outlet channel having a throat that is less than 100 microns wide. Preferably, the channel is an elongated slit. The configuration of channel is adapted and configured such that surface tension of the liquid prevents flow out of the channel. A heater increases the temperature of the meniscus of the fluid, until a portion of the fluid is ejected from the channel. The ejection of the fluid creates both a thrusting effect and a cooling effect.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc. of a first fluid being urged into and/or out of a second fluid can be controlled by controlling various properties of the fluid and/or a fluidic droplet, for example curvature of the fluidic droplet, and/or controlling the applied electric field.