Patent · US Active

Thermal microvalves

US8071056B2 · kind B2 · utility

62Cited by

33References

5Claims

0Family size

Assignee

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

Mark A. Burns · Ann Arbor, US
Brian N. Johnson · Ann Arbor, US
Michael Chen · Wellsville, US

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 29, 2005
Grant date	Dec 6, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 31, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T436/2575
WIPO fieldMechanical elements
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing silicon-based microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.