Reconfigurable valve using optically active material

摘要

A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic coupon and at least one fluid channel associated with the microfluidic coupon. The fluid channel is configured to control fluid flow from one portion of the coupon to another portion of the coupon. A quantity of reconfigurable valving material is disposed within the fluid channel, the valving material being thermally coupled to an optically activatable material operable to increase a temperature of the valving material when exposed to an optical beam to at least partially soften at least one component of the valving material to allow reconfiguration of the valving material to switch a flow state of the fluid channel.