Issue 3, 2004

Generation of dynamic temporal and spatial concentration gradients using microfluidic devices

Abstract

This paper describes a microfluidic approach to generate dynamic temporal and spatial concentration gradients using a single microfluidic device. Compared to a previously described method that produced a single fixed gradient shape for each device, this approach combines a simple “mixer module” with gradient generating network to control and manipulate a number of different gradient shapes. The gradient profile is determined by the configuration of fluidic inputs as well as the design of microchannel network. By controlling the relative flow rates of the fluidic inputs using separate syringe pumps, the resulting composition of the inlets that feed the gradient generator can be dynamically controlled to generate temporal and spatial gradients. To demonstrate the concept and illustrate this approach, examples of devices that generate (1) temporal gradients of homogeneous concentrations, (2) linear gradients with dynamically controlled slope, baseline, and direction, and (3) nonlinear gradients with controlled nonlinearity are shown and their limitations are described.

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
28 Oct 2003
Accepted
06 Feb 2004
First published
24 Mar 2004

Lab Chip, 2004,4, 164-167

Generation of dynamic temporal and spatial concentration gradients using microfluidic devices

F. Lin, W. Saadi, S. W. Rhee, S. Wang, S. Mittal and N. L. Jeon, Lab Chip, 2004, 4, 164 DOI: 10.1039/B313600K

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