Abstract
This paper presents a novel fluidic μ-transformer with pre-programmed vacuum actuation functions, which can deliver liquid samples on a chip without any micropumps or microfluidic actuators. The conception of the research is completely different from current traditional design, it could decrease the complexity of systematic design and procedure with smart polymer materials, it stylizes for memorizing the switch of two different geometric patterns in advance while synthesizing the material so as to complete the transformation. It takes around 30 seconds to drive the fluid for completely filling the microfluidic channel with a total volume of 14 μl. Experimental measurements show that the fluidic μ-transfomer with an effective cavity volume of 268 μl can achieve -1.8 psi differential pressure. The conception of the research relies on integration and actuation of smart polymer materials. Therefore, it could design the simplest system and provide the same delivery function with the traditional vacuum pumps for disposable lab-on-a-chips.