Patent ID: 7618524
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: B01L,F04B

Abstract:
1. A microfluidic device, said device comprising: a body, said body comprising a plurality of chambers adapted for storing a fluid material therein; a plurality of microchannels having interior fluid containing walls for fluidly interconnecting at least some of said chambers to allow said fluid material to flow therebetween via at least some of said microchannels; a polymeric salt bridge, said polymeric salt bridge comprising a monolithic microporous polymer, said polymeric salt bridge formed in situ in a portion of a selected one of said plurality of microchannels so as to substantially block bulk flow of said fluid material therethrough wherein said polymeric salt bridge is formulated using a selected first monomer, a selected first cross-linker, wherein the first cross-linker is ethoxylated (15) trimethylolpropane triacrylate and wherein said first cross-linker is selected to provide a desired structural quality, a selected solvent and a selected initiator, and wherein said first monomer and said cross-linker are selected to define a selected degree of porosity and at least a preselected ionic conductivity at a preselected voltage potential; said polymeric salt bridge having a first end and a second end along said selected one of said plurality of microchannels, said polymeric salt bridge adapted to conduct electricity by way of migration of ions between said first and said second end when a voltage potential is placed therebetween.