Pressure-driven flow control systems are a critical component in many microfluidic devices. Compartmentalization of this functionality into a stand-alone module possessing a simple interface would allow reduction of the number of pneumatic interconnects required for fluidic control. Ideally, such a module would also be sufficiently compact for implementation in portable platforms. In our current work, we show the feasibility of using a modular array of Venturi pressure microregulators for coordinated droplet manipulation. The arrayed microregulators share a single pressure input and are capable of outputting electronically controlled pressures that can be independently set between ±1.3 kPa. Because the Venturi microregulator operates by thermal perturbation of a choked gas flow, this output range corresponds to a temperature variation between 20 and 95°C. Using the array, we demonstrate loading, splitting, merging, and independent movement of multiple droplets in a valveless microchannel network.

中文翻译：

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用于分布式压力控制的文丘里微调节器阵列模块。

压力驱动的流量控制系统是许多微流体设备中的关键组件。将此功能划分为具有简单接口的独立模块将允许减少流体控制所需的气动互连的数量。理想情况下，这样的模块也足够紧凑，可以在便携式平台中实现。在我们目前的工作中，我们展示了使用模块化文丘里压力微调节器阵列进行协调液滴操作的可行性。阵列式微调节器共享单个压力输入，并能够输出可在 ±1.3 kPa 之间独立设置的电子控制压力。因为文丘里微调节器通过阻塞气流的热扰动来运行，该输出范围对应于 20 到 95°C 之间的温度变化。使用该阵列，我们演示了无阀微通道网络中多个液滴的加载、分裂、合并和独立运动。