Shimizu Ayano, Kakehi Yugo, Bono Shinji, Konishi Satoshi
Graduate Course of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, 525-8577, Japan.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, 525-8577, Japan.
Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 16;12(1):4534. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08611-4.
Multiple sensors and actuators integrated in a small space, especially an elongated thin structure, require equivalent number of signal lines between microdevices, but there is limited space for signal wires. Thus, we propose a mechanism using a single microchannel where a liquid metal droplet moves and shuttles. A shuttling droplet switches multiple terminals of signal lines along a microchannel based on a traditional switching mechanism using a liquid metal droplet. Electrically conductive gallium alloy liquid metals (Galinstan) can flow in a microchannel due to their fluidity. The terminals consist of opposing electrode pairs in a microchannel. A change in a variable impedance connected to a terminal as a pseudo sensor can be read when a droplet flows in and connects electrode pairs. This paper presents switching and addressing objective terminals of chromium electrodes by a shuttling conductive droplet (500 µm in diameter and 10 mm long) in a microchannel (500 µm in diameter and 100 mm long). A demonstrated simple mechanism enables communication between multiple microdevices along a microchannel. We anticipate wide application of proposed mechanism toward a multiplexer, especially in microfluidic devices because of the advantages of utilizing microchannels as common microstructures for both microdevices and signal lines.
多个传感器和执行器集成在一个小空间内，尤其是一个细长的薄结构中，这需要在微器件之间有同等数量的信号线，但信号线路的空间有限。因此，我们提出了一种利用单个微通道的机制，液态金属微滴可在其中移动和穿梭。基于传统的利用液态金属微滴的切换机制，穿梭的微滴沿着微通道切换信号线的多个终端。具有导电性的镓合金液态金属（镓铟锡合金）因其流动性可在微通道中流动。这些终端由微通道中的相对电极对组成。当微滴流入并连接电极对时，可以读取连接到作为伪传感器的终端的可变阻抗的变化。本文展示了在直径500 µm、长100 mm的微通道中，直径500 µm、长10 mm的穿梭导电微滴对铬电极的目标终端进行切换和寻址。所展示的简单机制能够实现沿微通道的多个微器件之间的通信。由于利用微通道作为微器件和信号线的共同微结构具有诸多优势，我们预计所提出的机制在多路复用器中，尤其是在微流体装置中会有广泛应用。
