Pneumatically pumping fluids radially inward on centrifugal microfluidic platforms in motion

This paper describes a pumping technique applicable to centrifugal microfluidic platforms, involving the use of a regulated stream of compressed gas to pump liquid radially inward and toward the center of the platform while spinning. This technique provides a noncontact method for pumping fluids and is highly efficient, requiring only approximately 60 s to reach completion. This pumping operation can be attained with an applied gas flow rate of 58.8 L [min.sup.-1], while the platform is rotated at frequencies less than 180 rpm (3.0 Hz). 10.1021/ac102071b