Abstract

May the Capillary Force Be With You: Microfluidic Capillaric Circuits

David Juncker, Professor and Chair, McGill University

Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip carry the promise of rapid analysis, economy of reagents and use at the point-of-care analysis using minute amounts of reagents. Here, our efforts in making microchannel-based capillary microfluidics will be discussed, and the realization of advanced circuits – termed capillaric circuits in analogy to electronic circuits –that realize complex fluidic operation simply by a combination of the microscale geometry and control over surface chemistry. Basic elements including capillary pumps, trigger valves, retention flow valves, air valves and so on, will be introduced, and their use for sequential autonomous and pre-programmed delivery of 96 reagents as well as for timing illustrated. The application of capillaric circuits for a rapid diagnostic for urinary tract infection in 7 min, measles vaccination testing, and automation of the thrombogram to characterize haemostatic-thrombotic mechanism of the blood will be presented. The transition from microfabrication to rapid prototyping and 3D printing of capillaric circuits makes them easy-to-fabricate and readily accessible to a wide audience.