A Simple, Non-Invasive Acoustic Technique for Liquid Flow Control in Microfluidics

Abstract
The invention is an acoustic means of controlling the flow, mixing and separation of liquids in micro-channels. The invention would replace the MEMS devices and pumps used in existing microfluidic devices. The invention has been shown to work in the optical biosensing platform under development at Los Alamos. An advantage of the invention is that little or no damage is done to particles (e.g., cells) suspended in the liquid. The inventors argue the invention is at least a capable as currently used technologies, and has some advantages such as more control over mixing liquids (which is one of the problems faced in microfluidics devices). The invention has application for controlling fluid flow in microfluidic devices used in biosensors, biological research (e.g., Lab on a chip devices), medical diagnostics, and drug discovery. There is a possibility the invention has applications in filtration and separation, such as in dialysis.

Application(s)

Bio-chips (microfluidic bioassays)
Artifiicial kidney

Advantages
Faster More sensitive detection/diagnosis

IP Status: Available both Exclusively and Non Exclusively

Commercialization Strategy: Contact Licensing Executive below for details.

Reference Number: 302

S Number: DOE reference no.(s): 102,354

Patents & Applications:
Application(s) Pending

Posted: 06-25-2008

Contact
David Hadley
Technology Transfer Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.O. Box 1663, MailStop C334
(505) 667-7539
dhadley@lanl.gov

Licensing, TT

CONTACTS

A Simple, Non-Invasive Acoustic Technique for Liquid Flow Control in Microfluidics