Modular pumps as programmable hydraulic batteries for microfluidic devices

Abstract

Simple fluid pumps have been developed to improve microfluidic device portability, but they cannot be easily programmed, produce repeatable pumping performance, or generate complex flow profiles — key requirements for increasing the functionality of portable microdevices. We present a detachable, paper-based, “hydraulic battery” that can be connected to the outlet of a microfluidic channel to pump fluid at varying flow rates over time, including step changes, ramping flows, and oscillating flows.