Development and Validation of Methods for Determining Liquid Volume and Flow in Microfluid Devices
Development and Validation of Methods for Determining Liquid Volume and Flow in Microfluid Devices
Microfluidic applications are increasing all over the world, and ensuring traceability, accuracy, and precision of the quantities to be measured in microfluidic devices is crucial. That is why new calibration methods in this relatively new field must be developed and improved. Also, due to the small flow rates involved, different relationships between the methods and liquid properties must be studied, so this research focuses on understanding these interactions. Throughout this research it was studied how the flow of some testing liquids behave according to their different liquid properties, to different channels within the microchips, and the accuracy of the methods used.
The research was conducted at the Portuguese Quality Institute, on the Volume Laboratory, employed two methodologies, the gravimetric method, which was studied in two different pumps, and the front track method.
The primary objectives of this work consisted in determining the suitability and accuracy of those methods to accurately measure flow and volume. It was found that, regarding flow rate measurements, the gravimetric method gives consistent results for the pumps studied, the Nexus pump and a pressure pump, with difference chips and the testing liquids.
Flow rate, Pressure pump, gravimetric method, microfluidics.
Elsa Batista holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from NOVA School of Science and Technology in 2022, a master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Sciences in Lisbon in 2007 and has a degree in Applied Chemistry from the NOVA School of Science and Technology in 1999. Since 1999, she has worked at the Laboratório de Volume of Instituto Português da Qualidade as a superior technician and laboratory manager. She is the contact person and head of the volume subgroup of the EURAMET flow technical committee.
Diogo Spencer Fortes is currently writing his dissertation to receive a Mastered degree at Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology – Nova University of Lisbon – Portugal. He is currently a trainee and researcher at the Portuguese Institute of Quality (IPQ) – Portugal. His research interests are in the areas of quality, fluids, and project.
Helena Navas has received a PhD from NOVA School of Science and Technology – Universidade NOVA de Lisboa – Portugal. She is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of the NOVA School of Science and Technology – Portugal and researcher at UNIDEMI. Her research interests are in the areas of innovation, continuous improvement, quality, and process management.
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