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Development of a low cost hybrid Si/PDMS multi-layered pneumatic microvalve

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Abstract

We report on the design and fabrication of a low cost active microvalve with a soft elastomer membrane driven by pneumatic actuation. The valve was made in two separate parts, a fluidic part in biocompatible and optically transparent material (PDMS) and a robust pneumatic interface in silicon, which were assembled together. The main issue of alignment and localized selective bonding of the PDMS parts to preserve the membrane mobility, hence the valving function, is described. In this work we also investigated two types of silicon moulds for PDMS casting, made by KOH anisotropic wet etching or DRIE.

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Acknowledgements

Nicolas Alamagny is thanked for his help in the microvalve fabrication. The technical staff, in particular Jean-Claude Jeannot, Valérie Petrini and Pascal Blind from CTM, are also greatly acknowledged for their support and especially their help with the DRIE process and the KOH etching, respectively. Michel de Labachelerie is also acknowledged for helpful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FEMTO-ST/LPMO, CNRS UMR, 32 Avenue de l’Observatoire, 25044, Besançon Cedex, France

    Gaël Thuillier & Chantal Khan Malek

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  1. Gaël Thuillier
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  2. Chantal Khan Malek
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Correspondence to Gaël Thuillier.

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Thuillier, G., Malek, C.K. Development of a low cost hybrid Si/PDMS multi-layered pneumatic microvalve. Microsyst Technol 12, 180–185 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-005-0007-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-005-0007-9

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