Pneumatic microvalves fabricated by multi-material 3D printing

We report an innovative and simple approach for fabricating pneumatic microvalves via an assembly-free 3D printing technique. These valves are based on monolithic elastomeric valves fabricated by multilayer soft lithography but this method circumvents the need for specialized layering, alignment and bonding. 3D printed microfluidic devices containing flow channels and pneumatic valves were fabricated and tested for functionality. Using these devices, we successfully demonstrate valve actuation for precise liquid flow control and on/off operation. The speed and simplicity of this approach make it a promising technique for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of 3D printed microfluidic devices with fully integrated components.

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