Analysis of temperature-sensitive hydrogel microvalves in a T-junction flow sorter using full scale fluid–structure interaction

Abstract

Hydrogels have attracted attention in microfluidic applications as sensors and actuators due to their ability to undergo huge volume changes when subjected to environmental stimuli. In this study, a T-junction flow sorter is numerically investigated. Each of the branches involves one hydrogel microvalve with reverse sensitivity to temperature changes. The valve’s functionality is studied with and without considering fluid–structure interaction for various inlet pressures. The results of fluid–structure interaction and non-fluid–structure interaction solutions, such as fluid flow rate and valves close temperature, are presented and compared. In order to reduce hydrogel’s response time, the solution is employed for multiple valves patterns. It can be concluded that the hydrogel deformation due to the fluid pressure has a significant effect on the valves’ operational parameters which cannot be ignored in design and analysis.