Independent unit operation of numbering-up microfluidic systems via clamped pressure regulation
(2025) In Chemical Engineering Science 304.- Abstract
Interconnected modular microfluidic devices (MDs) configured in series and parallel have significantly advanced applications like multi-step chemical reactions with enhanced efficiency, production quality, throughput, and automation. However, managing these interconnected MDs is challenging due to complex fluidic networks and interdependent flow dynamics. This study presents a clamped pressure control scheme to address these issues in multi-MD systems. Utilizing a parallel clamped pressure control mechanism and serially arranged intermediate delivery reservoirs (IDRs), this approach isolates flow dynamics, simplifies control, offers considerable flow rate flexibility, and enables independent operation of each MD. A key benefit is its... (More)
Interconnected modular microfluidic devices (MDs) configured in series and parallel have significantly advanced applications like multi-step chemical reactions with enhanced efficiency, production quality, throughput, and automation. However, managing these interconnected MDs is challenging due to complex fluidic networks and interdependent flow dynamics. This study presents a clamped pressure control scheme to address these issues in multi-MD systems. Utilizing a parallel clamped pressure control mechanism and serially arranged intermediate delivery reservoirs (IDRs), this approach isolates flow dynamics, simplifies control, offers considerable flow rate flexibility, and enables independent operation of each MD. A key benefit is its ability to contain disturbances—such as flow fluctuations, blockages, and leakages—within affected MDs, thus safeguarding unaffected ones and preserving product quality. We demonstrate the capability for online repair of malfunctioning MDs without system interruption. This flow control scheme offers a promising method to enhance the robustness of complex multi-MD systems, facilitating the numbering-up of multi-step microfluidic processes to ensure both quality and quantity in production.
(Less)
- author
- Shen, Kao Mai ; Morikawa, Kyojiro ; Kitamori, Takehiko LU and Chen, Chihchen
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Continuous flow, Independent unit operation, Intermediate delivery reservoirs, Microfluidic, Multi-step processes, Numbering-up, Pressure control
- in
- Chemical Engineering Science
- volume
- 304
- article number
- 121078
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85212317143
- ISSN
- 0009-2509
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ces.2024.121078
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 724934f6-190e-4e20-b5b0-df990f5b3f66
- date added to LUP
- 2025-02-28 11:50:52
- date last changed
- 2025-04-04 15:10:21
@article{724934f6-190e-4e20-b5b0-df990f5b3f66,
abstract = {{<p>Interconnected modular microfluidic devices (MDs) configured in series and parallel have significantly advanced applications like multi-step chemical reactions with enhanced efficiency, production quality, throughput, and automation. However, managing these interconnected MDs is challenging due to complex fluidic networks and interdependent flow dynamics. This study presents a clamped pressure control scheme to address these issues in multi-MD systems. Utilizing a parallel clamped pressure control mechanism and serially arranged intermediate delivery reservoirs (IDRs), this approach isolates flow dynamics, simplifies control, offers considerable flow rate flexibility, and enables independent operation of each MD. A key benefit is its ability to contain disturbances—such as flow fluctuations, blockages, and leakages—within affected MDs, thus safeguarding unaffected ones and preserving product quality. We demonstrate the capability for online repair of malfunctioning MDs without system interruption. This flow control scheme offers a promising method to enhance the robustness of complex multi-MD systems, facilitating the numbering-up of multi-step microfluidic processes to ensure both quality and quantity in production.</p>}},
author = {{Shen, Kao Mai and Morikawa, Kyojiro and Kitamori, Takehiko and Chen, Chihchen}},
issn = {{0009-2509}},
keywords = {{Continuous flow; Independent unit operation; Intermediate delivery reservoirs; Microfluidic; Multi-step processes; Numbering-up; Pressure control}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Chemical Engineering Science}},
title = {{Independent unit operation of numbering-up microfluidic systems via clamped pressure regulation}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2024.121078}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.ces.2024.121078}},
volume = {{304}},
year = {{2025}},
}