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<p>Paper-based microfluidic platforms are widely utilized in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, filtration, and fluid handling due to their cost-effectiveness and simplicity. However, uncontrolled capillary-driven transport often results in performance inconsistencies, compromising sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Hydrogel-infused paper matrices present a promising strategy to regulate fluid flow by modifying the porous microstructure, though their impact on transport dynamics remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the role of hydrogel concentration and fluid viscosity in controlling flow behavior in paper membranes, relevant to diagnostics applications. Hydrogel is pre-imbibed into paper assays to modulate capillary transport, and the effects of varying injected fluid viscosities (0.954–1.54 cP, corresponding to solute concentrations of 0.055–0.555&#xa0;M) and hydrogel concentrations (4.83–8.06&#xa0;mg/mL) are examined across three distinct porous substrates. Real-time, high-resolution imaging enables quantitative analysis of fluid front evolution, including angular deviations, length variations, and interface curvature. Hydrogel presence increases flow resistance by 3-33.5%, while early-stage angular deviations reach up to 500% before stabilizing (reducing by 50-100%). Length deviations initially fluctuate (150-300%) but decline as imbibition progresses. Fluid front curvature also varies significantly (11-64%) in early stages. Viscous fluid enhances flow control, increasing resistance by 11-36% and reducing instability. Additionally, smaller pore sizes are found to improve flow uniformity. These findings offer new insights into hydrogel-mediated microfluidic regulation and pave the way for optimized, reproducible, and high-performance POC diagnostic systems.</p>

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Characterization of hydrogel-induced flow control in paper-based microfluidics platform

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月16日

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  • Neha Majee,
  • Chandra Bhushan,
  • Debayan Das

摘要

Paper-based microfluidic platforms are widely utilized in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, filtration, and fluid handling due to their cost-effectiveness and simplicity. However, uncontrolled capillary-driven transport often results in performance inconsistencies, compromising sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Hydrogel-infused paper matrices present a promising strategy to regulate fluid flow by modifying the porous microstructure, though their impact on transport dynamics remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the role of hydrogel concentration and fluid viscosity in controlling flow behavior in paper membranes, relevant to diagnostics applications. Hydrogel is pre-imbibed into paper assays to modulate capillary transport, and the effects of varying injected fluid viscosities (0.954–1.54 cP, corresponding to solute concentrations of 0.055–0.555 M) and hydrogel concentrations (4.83–8.06 mg/mL) are examined across three distinct porous substrates. Real-time, high-resolution imaging enables quantitative analysis of fluid front evolution, including angular deviations, length variations, and interface curvature. Hydrogel presence increases flow resistance by 3-33.5%, while early-stage angular deviations reach up to 500% before stabilizing (reducing by 50-100%). Length deviations initially fluctuate (150-300%) but decline as imbibition progresses. Fluid front curvature also varies significantly (11-64%) in early stages. Viscous fluid enhances flow control, increasing resistance by 11-36% and reducing instability. Additionally, smaller pore sizes are found to improve flow uniformity. These findings offer new insights into hydrogel-mediated microfluidic regulation and pave the way for optimized, reproducible, and high-performance POC diagnostic systems.