Microfluidic network-based combinatorial dilution device for high throughput screening and optimization

Abstract

We present a combinatorial dilution device using a three-layer microfluidic network that can produce systematic variations of buffer and additive solutions in a combinatorial fashion for high throughput screening and optimization. A proof-of-concept device providing seven combinations (ABC/D, AB/D, BC/D, AC/D, A/D, B/D, and C/D) of three additive samples (A, B, and C) into a buffer solution (D) has been demonstrated. Such combinations are often used in simplex-centroid mixture DOE (design of experiments), useful techniques to minimize the experimental efforts at maximal information output with systematic variations of large-scale components. Based on mathematical and electrical modeling and computational fluid dynamic simulation, the device has been designed, fabricated, and characterized.