Microfluidics has changed the way we think about laboratory experimental design. With the use of lab-on-chip devices, we are capable of carrying out experiments that include several functions on a single chip. Despite a lot of progress in the miniaturization of these devices, the peripheral systems which control the microfluidic functionalities like valves and pumps, remain bulky, making the microfluidic devices less portable. Conducting polymers are potential candidates that show promise to solve this issue and make the microfluidic devices portable. They are a class of polymer materials with intrinsic conductive properties and the ability to be formed and deformed at a low applied electric potential.
This thesis presents the different aspects of the conceptualisation and creation of the actuator for an all polymer conducting polymer microfluidic valve. The proposed system uses the widely studied multi-layer bending beam actuator, commonly used as an artificial muscle or soft actuator. The actuation of the all polymer system is the result of the different expansion rates during an electrochemical reaction.
The system consist of three polymer layers. The first layer is the flexible base layer that also functions as a fluid barrier in the microfluidic system. The second layer is the electrode material that is used as an electrode in both the fabrication and actuation of the expanding layer. The final layer is the electrochemically polymerized layer of expanding conducting polymer.
The all polymer actuator can eventually form the basis for new opportunities regarding the miniaturisation and commercialisation of Lab on Chip devices