Design and evaluation of a light driven gel valve for high integration

Abstract

In this study, we propose light driven gel valves for high integration. Previously, we proposed drive method of gel actuator with light irradiation. Temperature responsible gel was used for actuator material in this method. Moreover, this method can realize local heating with focused light and thus, realize independent drive of single actuator even if multiple actuators are arranged. By using these actuators, we fabricate highly integrated gel valves. We fabricated four types of gel valves with different shapes and arrangements. Gel valves are designed based on measurement of the volume expansion rate of gel actuator. As a results of open/close evaluation, gel valves with squared shape and arranged both channel sides were suitable for high integration. In the future, we will integrate large number of gel valves and apply various applications to these valves.