Manipulation of Fluid Flow Direction in Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices with an Ionogel Negative Passive Pump
- Authors:
- T. Akyazi, N. Gil-Gonzalez, L. Basabe-Desmonts, E. Castaño, M.C. Morant-Miñana, F. Benito-Lopez
- Year:
- 2017
- Journal:
- Sensors and Actuators B (IF: 4.758, 2015, Q1)
- Volume:
- 247
- Initial page - Ending page:
- 114 - 123
- ISBN/ISSN:
- 0925-4005
- Description:
-
Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) are a relatively new group of analytical tools that represent an innovative low-cost platform technology for fluid handling and analysis. Nonetheless, μPADs lack in the effective handling and controlling of fluids, which leads to a main drawback for their reproducibility in large volumes during manufacturing, their transition from the laboratory into the market and thus accessibility by end-users. Herein we investigate the applicability of ionogel materials based on a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel with the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate ionic liquid as fluid flow manipulator in μPADs using the ionogel as a negative passive pump to control the flow direction in the device. A big challenge undertook by this contribution is the integration of the ionogel materials into the μPADs. Finally, the characterisation and the performance of the ionogel as a negative passive pump is demonstrated.