The requirement of significant off-chip fluid manipulation using high-cost mechanical components has resulted in design limitations in microfluidic devices. We report the use of novel stimuli responsive polymer gel materials for a variety of bio-inspired processes to achieve in-situ microfluidic flow control providing low-cost alternatives to current technologies. These integrated materials result in active microfluidic channels that provide highly simplified, non-contact fluidic control such as valving, mixing and channel sealing. These low-cost materials potentially allow for the creation of complex fluidic arrangements with advanced fluidic control on single use or disposable platforms that are not presently achievable with current technologies.