A Microfluidic Module For Real-Time Generation Of Complex Multi-Molecule Temporal Concentration Profiles

Abstract

We designed a microfluidic module that generates complex, dynamic concentration profiles of multiple molecules over a large concentration range using pulse-width modulation (PWM). Our PWM device can arbitrarily combine up to 6 different inputs and select between three downstream mixing channels as required by the application. The module can produce arbitrary concentrations with a dynamic range of up to 3-5 decades. We created complex concentration profiles of 2 molecules, with each concentration independently controllable, and show that the PWM module can execute rapid concentration changes as well as long-timescale pharmacokinetic profiles. Concentration profiles were generated for molecules with molecular weights ranging from 560 Da to 150 kDa. Our PWM module produces robust and precise concentration profiles under a variety of operating conditions, making it ideal for integration with existing microfluidic devices for advanced cell and pharmacokinetic studies.