Integrated Three Dimensional Micro-Fluidics with Pumps, Valves, and Sensors

"Significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of integrated micro-fluidic devices include their relatively low fluidic circuit density and high cost. To obviate these limitations, Advanced Sensor Technologies, Inc. (AST) proposes to develop thetechnologies to allow fabrication of three-dimensional micro-fluidic devices with integrated active components that are an order of magnitude less costly than existing, functionally equivalent devices. This will be achieved by augmenting our existing,planar, micro-fluidic systems with molded microstructures to form three-dimensional structures.This project is a natural extension of AST's DARPA funded SBIR project that has resulted in the creation of a two-dimensional, integrated micro-fluidic sensor system. This previously demonstrated, micro-fluidic system combined AST's innovative designs formicroscopic pumps, valves, fluid channels, and sensing chambers with sensors and sampling systems to monitor a variety of biological fluids including saliva, perspiration, and urine. Similar sensors will form the core of a myriad of new products whosefunctions range from monitoring individuals for exposure to environmental toxins or controlling diabetes to controlling power conversion in miniaturized fuel cells. With the currently proposed technology, such products will be migrated from laboratorycurios to widely distributed technological tools due to an order of magnitude decrease in cost. AST's