Abstract:
Método de fabricación de dispositivos microfluidicos compuestos por una lámina (1) de espesor igual o inferior a 200 micrometros y una pieza rígida (3) ambos de material polimérico termoplástico que comprende: - Desgasificar : - una lámina polimérica de material termoplástico (1) - una pieza auxiliar rígida (2) - una pieza rígida polimérica de material termoplástico (3) - Pegar por un procedimiento de pegado temporal, la lámina polimérica termoplástica (1) desgasificada, a una pieza auxiliar rígida (2) desgasificada dando lugar a un conjunto lámina-pieza pieza auxiliar (4), - Pegar por pegado permanente, la lámina polimérica termoplástica (1 ) del conjunto lámina-pieza auxiliar (4) obtenido en la etapa de pegado temporal anterior, a la pieza rígida polimérica termoplástica (3) desgasificada inicialmente,. - Despegar la pieza auxiliar rígida (2) de la lámina polimérica termoplástica (1 ) pegada permanentemente a la pieza rígida termoplástica (3), para dar. lugar a una pieza final totalmente polimérica (5).
Abstract:
A microvalve device includes a body, a valve element supported for movement relative to the body, and an actuator operatively coupled to the valve element for moving the valve element in a normal range of travel. A travel limiting structure operatively cooperates with at least one of the valve element and the actuator to effectively limit the magnitude of movement of the valve element or the actuator outside the normal range of travel to prevent failure of the body, the valve element, or the actuator due to exceeding failure stress limits. A method of forming a microvalve with such a travel limiting structure is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a switch structure or the like such as a valve, motor, or optical switch, may be constructed based on a thermoresponsive polymer. At a first temperature the thermoresponsive polymer may be in a first volume state, and at a second temperate the thermoresponsive polymer may be in a second volume state. The change in volume of the thermoresponsive polymer may be operative to push or pull the mechanical structures of the switch, valve, motor, optical switch, and so on, to effectuate operation of the structures.
Abstract:
A MEMS valve device driven by electrostatic forces is provided. The MEMS valve device includes a substrate having an aperture formed therein, a substrate electrode, a moveable membrane that overlies the aperture and has an electrode element and a biasing element. Additionally, at least one resiliently compressible dielectric layer is provided to insure electrical isolation between the substrate electrode and electrode element of the moveable membrane. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the substrate electrode and the electrode element of the moveable membrane to move the membrane relative to the aperture to thereby controllably adjust the portion of the aperture that is covered by the membrane. In another embodiment the resiliently compressible dielectric layer(s) have a textured surface; either at the valve seat, the valve seal or at both surfaces. In another embodiment of the invention a pressure-relieving aperture is defined within the substrate and is positioned to underlie the moveable membrane.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) positioning apparatus is provided that can precisely microposition an object in each of the X, Y and Z directions. The MEMS positioning apparatus includes a reference surface, a support disposed in a fixed position to the reference surface, and a stage defining a XY plane that is suspended adjacent to the support and over at least a portion of the reference surface. The MEMS positioning apparatus also includes at least one and, more typically, several actuators for precisely positioning the stage and, in turn, objects carried by the stage. For example, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include first and second MEMS actuators for moving the stage in the XY plane upon actuation. In addition, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include a Z actuator, such as a thermal bimorph structure, for moving the stage in the Z direction.
Abstract:
A thermo-pneumatic micro pump chip applicable to a micro bio chip and a manufacturing method thereof are provided to increase precision of flow control of a pump by bonding a poly dimethyl siloxane(PDMS) chip with a glass chip integrally. A thermo-pneumatic micro pump chip(100) that is applicable to a micro bio chip comprises a glass chip(10) and a PDMS chip(20) that are integrally bonded to each other. The glass chip is equipped with a heater(11) and a sensor. In addition, the PDMS chip is formed on an upper surface of the glass chip and moves fluid sample in a desired direction.