Abstract

Towards Microfluidic Design Automation: System Modelling of Complete Microfluidic Networks

Julia Boeke, PhD Student, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology

Microfluidic design automation (MDA) enables the model-based design of complete and complex lab-on-a-chip systems. Much work has been done towards tools for in-silico evaluation, validation, and optimization of microfluidic devices, to reduce the number of development cycles. Electronics have mastered this challenge in electronic design automation. Microfluidic devices can be represented as network graphs consisting of channels (edges) and connections (nodes). Comparable to the electric resistance described by Ohm’s Law, the hydrodynamic resistance is calculated based on the law of Hagen-Poiseulle. In analogy, different operation units of a microfluidic network can be described by their respective resistance. The connectivity between operation units is described by network graphs, which can be solved as a system of linear equations utilizing Kirchhoff laws. Linear transport models are suitable for most microfluidic devices operated at low Reynolds numbers. Here, we report our progress on a Kirchhoff-based microfluidic network solver and reliable operation parameters based on channel geometries in less than 200 ms. The simulation-based development strategy aims to speed up the development process for fast design optimization and microfluidic commissioning. The solver is demonstrated for multi-component laminar coflow and droplet generation and adjusted for MDA.