Microfluidic mixing and reaction systems for high efficiency screening

Abstract

Microfluidic devices are described that include a rigid base layer, and an elastomeric layer on the base layer. The elastomeric layer may include at least part of a fluid channel for transporting a liquid reagent, and a vent channel that accepts gas diffusing through the elastomeric layer from the flow channel and vents it out of the elastomeric layer. The devices may also include a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the fluid channel, and a control channel overlapping with a deflectable membrane that defines a portion of the flow channel, where the control channel may be operable to change a rate at which the liquid reagent flows through the fluid channel. The devices may further include a rigid plastic layer on the elastomeric layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 a rigid base layer;   an elastomeric layer on the base layer, wherein the elastomeric layer comprises at least part of a fluid channel for transporting a liquid reagent, and a vent channel that accepts gas diffusing through the elastomeric layer from the flow channel and vents it out of the elastomeric layer;   a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the fluid channel;   a control channel overlapping with a deflectable membrane that defines a portion of the flow channel, wherein the control channel is operable to change a rate at which the liquid reagent flows through the fluid channel; and   a rigid plastic layer on the elastomeric layer.