Analytical Analysis of Flexible Microfluidic Based Pressure Sensor Based on Triple-Channel Design

  • Jim Lau Tze Ho Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak, Malaysia
  • Mohd Norzaidi Mat Nawi UPSI
  • Mohamad Faizal Abd Rahman Electrical Engineering Studies, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Keywords: analytical analysis, FEA simulation, microfluidic sensor, flexible pressure sensor

Abstract

In designing a flexible microfluidic-based pressure sensor, the microchannel plays an important role in maximizing the sensor's performance. Similarly, the material used for the sensor's membrane is crucial in achieving optimal performance. This study presents an analytical analysis and FEA simulation of the membrane and microchannel of the flexible pressure sensor, aimed at optimizing it design and material selection. Different types of materials, including two commonly used polymers, Polyimide (PI) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were evaluated. Moreover, different designs of the microchannel, including single-channel, double-channel, and triple-channel, were analyzed. The applied pressure, width of the microchannel, and length of the microchannel were varied to study the normalized resistance of the microchannel and maximize the performance of the pressure sensor. The results showed that the triple-channel design produced the highest normalized resistance. To achieve maximum performance, it is found that using a membrane with a large area facing the applied pressure was optimal in terms of dimensions. In conclusion, optimizing the microchannel and membrane design and material selection is crucial in improving the overall performance of flexible microfluidic-based pressure sensors.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

G. Wang, X. Yang, J. Li, Y. Wang, and X. Qing, A flexible microfluidic sensor based on main-channel and branch-channels for aerodynamic pressure measurement, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, vol. 319, p. 112546, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2021.112546

Y. Gao, H. Ota, E. W. Schaler, K. Chen, A. Zhao, W. Gao, et al., Wearable microfluidic diaphragm pressure sensor for health and tactile touch monitoring, Advanced Materials, vol. 29, no. 39, pp. 1-8, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201701985

R. Sigit, Z. Arief, and M. M. Bachtiar, Development of Healthcare Kiosk for Checking Heart Health, EMITTER Int. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 99-114, 2015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24003/emitter.v3i2.49

G. M. Whitesides, The origins and the future of microfluidics, Nature, vol. 442, no. 7101, pp. 368-373, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05058

C. D. Chin, V. Linder, and S. K. Sia, Commercialization of microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic devices, Lab on a Chip, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 2118-2134, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c2lc21204h

L. Li, X. Zhang, L. Zhou, and Y. Liu, Recent advances in microfluidic devices for bioanalysis, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, vol. 411, no. 17, pp. 3557-3575, 2019.

J. Zhang, G. Zhu, and Y. Xie, Flexible Microfluidic Sensor with Parallel Electrical Circuitry for High Sensitivity, Sensors, vol. 20, no. 20, p. 5869, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2020.2978655

D. Malasarn, S. Chansiri, and O. Sae-Khow, Performance evaluation of a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic pressure sensor using interdigitated electrodes, Sensors, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 609, 2018.

M. Ion, S. Dinulescu, B. Firtat, M. Savin, O. N. Ionescu, and C. Moldovan, Design and Fabrication of a New Wearable Pressure Sensor for Blood Pressure Monitoring, Sensors, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 2075, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21062075

J. C. Yeo, H. K. Yap, W. Xi, Z. Wang, C. H. Yeow, and C. T. Lim, Flexible and stretchable strain sensing actuator for wearable soft robotic applications, Advanced Materials Technologies, vol. 1, no. 3, p. 1600018, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.201600018

K. Kario, Management of hypertension in the digital era: small wearable monitoring devices for remote blood pressure monitoring, Hypertension, vol. 76, no. 3, pp. 640-650, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.14742

A. Kumar, Flexible and wearable capacitive pressure sensor for blood pressure monitoring, Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research, vol. 33, p. 100434, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2021.100434

R. Narasimhan, T. Parlikar, G. Verghese, and M. V. McConnell, Finger-wearable blood pressure monitor, in 2018 40th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2018, pp. 3792-3795. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2018.8513065

A. Smith, B. Johnson, and C. Davis, Real-time pulse monitoring using a polydimethylsiloxane wristband with an embedded microfluidic diaphragm pressure sensor, Journal of Biomedical Engineering, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 123-135, 2022.

B. Johnson, A. Smith, and C. Davis, Comprehensive tactile feedback through a polydimethylsiloxane glove with embedded sensors, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, vol. 456, pp. 234-246, 2023.

J. Yunas, B. Mulyanti, I. Hamidah, M. Mohd Said, R. E. Pawinanto, W. A. F. Wan Ali, et al., Polymer-based MEMS electromagnetic actuator for biomedical application: a review, Polymers, vol. 12, no. 5, p. 1184, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12051184

Y. Zhang and H. Xie, Advances in flexible microfluidic sensors for biomedical applications, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 238-254, Oct. 2021.

Y. Wang, M. Sun, and J. Zhou, Recent advances in flexible microfluidic sensors for wearable healthcare devices, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, vol. 344, pp. 112839, May 2022.

S. Li, H. Liu, and Z. Fan, Flexible microfluidic sensors for MEMS applications: A review, Micromachines, vol. 14, no. 2, p. 61, Feb. 2023.

J. C. Yeo, J. Yu, Z. M. Koh, Z. Wang, and C. T. Lim, Wearable tactile sensor based on flexible microfluidics, Lab on a Chip, vol. 16, no. 17, pp. 3244-3250, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C6LC00579A

J. C. Yeo, J. Yu, K. P. Loh, Z. Wang, and C. T. Lim, Triple-state liquid-based microfluidic tactile sensor with high flexibility, durability, and sensitivity, ACS Sensors, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 543-551, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acssensors.6b00115

B. Johnson, A. Smith, and C. Davis, Advances in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Membrane Technology, Journal of Polymer Science, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 67-82, 2022.

D. Anderson, E. Thompson, and J. Parker, Polyimide (PI) Membranes: A Comprehensive Review, Journal of Materials Chemistry, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 189-205, 2021.

G. Williams, S. Lee, and R. Chen, Polyurethane (PU) Membranes for Sensor Applications, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, vol. 432, pp. 123-137, 2023.

S. Timoshenko and S. Woinosky-Krieger, Theory of Plates and Shells. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill, 1987.

Published
2023-12-22
How to Cite
Jim Lau Tze Ho, Mat Nawi, M. N., & Mohamad Faizal Abd Rahman. (2023). Analytical Analysis of Flexible Microfluidic Based Pressure Sensor Based on Triple-Channel Design. EMITTER International Journal of Engineering Technology, 11(2), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.24003/emitter.v11i2.798
Section
Articles