Microfluidic Pumps Containing Teflon® AF Diaphragms

Microfluidic pumps and valves based on pneumatically actuated diaphragms made of Teflon® AF polymers are being developed for incorporation into laboratory-on-a-chip devices that must perform well over temperature ranges wider than those of prior diaphragm-based microfluidic pumps and valves. Other potential applications include implanted biomedical microfluidic devices, wherein the biocompatibility of Teflon® AF polymers would be highly advantageous. These pumps and valves have been demonstrated to function stably after cycling through temperatures from –125 to 120 °C.