Hardt S., Dadic D., Doffing F., Drese K.S., Münchow G., Sörensen O.
Institute of Microtechnology Mainz, DE
Keywords: heat transfer, microfluidics, PCR, slug flow
A microfluidic PCR device is presented capable of rapid temperature ramping and handling of sample volumes in the microliter and submicroliter range. The PCR chip comprises a straight micro channel in which a sample slug is periodically moved over three temperature zones. As part of the sample preparation a method for metering of the sample volume was developed. The PCR chip and the chips for sample preparation and fluidic actuation were fabricated by ultra-precision milling in polymer substrates. Computer simulations suggest that the sample slugs are heated or cooled on a time scale of some ten milliseconds when transported to a different temperature zone. The fluidic actuation based on a ferrofluid transducer is capable of positioning the sample volumes with a high accuracy after a large number of cycles. The design developed should be ideally suited for fast PCR of small sample amounts in a highly parallel manner.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2004 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: March 7, 2004
Pages: 55 - 58
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Materials Characterization & Imaging
ISBN: 0-9728422-7-6