Toolkit for computational fluidic simulation and interactive parametrization of segmented flow based fluidic networks

This paper describes a computational approach for system modelling and model based design of microfluidic networks for processing of microsegmented sample streams and its application for modelling of the self-controlled 1:1 fusion of two independently generated sample streams. Liquid/liquid segmented flow based highly integrated lab-on-a-chip devices offer a powerful and versatile approach for high-throughput processing of linearly organized sample streams. Main objectives of this work are the application of principles of electronic design automation (EDA) to the model based design and parametrization of segmented flow based microfluidic networks. This approach will significantly increase the efficiency in development of highly integrated lab-on-a-chip devices for custom fluidic and microchemical protocols. That way, research and development of microchemical and screening applications will benefit from the promising microdroplet based approach of segmented flow. Our computational toolkit is based on a network of fluidic nodes, which are interconnected by virtual fluid pipes for the transfer of segment streams. The particular behaviour of a functional node may be given by user definable rules, which may be derived from experimental data and parameter studies of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the functional element.