Team:EPF-Lausanne/Tools/Microfluidics/HowTo2

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(Injecting fluids: mains pressure and tubing, pressure regulators)
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{{:Team:EPF-Lausanne/Templates/MicrofluidicsHeader|title=Microfluidics how-to part II: building your setup}}
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{{:Team:EPF-Lausanne/Templates/MicrofluidicsHeader|title=Microfluidics How-To Part II: Building Your Setup}}
[[File:EPFL-Basic-setup.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A basic computer-controlled microfluidics setup. Note the compressed air input split into two sides, both fed through a pressure regulator. The left side is the low-pressure manifold for the flow layer. The right side is the high-pressure solenoid array for the control layer.]]
[[File:EPFL-Basic-setup.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A basic computer-controlled microfluidics setup. Note the compressed air input split into two sides, both fed through a pressure regulator. The left side is the low-pressure manifold for the flow layer. The right side is the high-pressure solenoid array for the control layer.]]
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Once all the channels are filled, the experiments can begin. For the worm chip, we would prime the device with buffer, then introduce the worm after the chip is filled. For the MITOMI chip, we would flow in various biomolecules (neutravidin, bovine serum albumin, antibodies, cell-free extracts) and DNA.
Once all the channels are filled, the experiments can begin. For the worm chip, we would prime the device with buffer, then introduce the worm after the chip is filled. For the MITOMI chip, we would flow in various biomolecules (neutravidin, bovine serum albumin, antibodies, cell-free extracts) and DNA.
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== Details of connections ==
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Below are four images detailing how the tubing and electronics in our setup are connected, and the role of each component.
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A printed circuit board (PCB) is used to connect the solenoid valves to the relays on the easyDAQ, and power them. The solenoids are connected to the PCB via two flat cables, one soldered to the red wires, one soldered to the black wires (they are 14-wire cables, with two wires removed). The other end of each cable is fitted with a 14-pin connector. The PCB is powered by a 24 V power supply, and distributes the power to each solenoid through the relays on the EasyDAQ. Therefore, when a relay is open, a 24 V load is applied to the corresponding solenoid (wich opens it). When the relay is closed, both leads of the solenoid are grounded (which closes it).
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[[File:EPFL-Setup.png|thumb|left|140px|Annotated picture of the fluidics setup. The role of each component is explained. Not shown: since the picture was taken, manometers were added to the pressure regulators.]]
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[[File:EPFL-PCB.png|thumb|left|140px|Close-up of the PCB that connects the valves to the EasyDAQ.]]
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[[File:EPFL-relay_schematic.jpg|thumb|left|140px|How the solenoids are switched between ground and 24 V by the relays. Only shown for four relays; our setup has twelve connected identically.]]
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[[File:EPFL-EasyDAQ.jpg|thumb|left|140px|The EasyDAQ: 24 USB-controlled relays. The relays are connected to the PCB just by wires fixed in the screw-in headers.]]
== Complete parts list ==
== Complete parts list ==

Latest revision as of 12:36, 23 October 2011