Numerical and Experimental Modeling of Paper-based Actuators

The microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) have witnessed a great extent of innovation over the past decade developing new components and materials assisting the diagnosis of different diseases and sensing of a wide range of biological, chemical, optical, and electrochemical phenomena. The novel paper-based cantilever (PBC) actuator is one the major component that allows autonomous loading and control of multiple fluid reagents required for the accurate operation of paper-based microfluidic devices. This paper provides an extensive overview of numerical and experimental modeling of fluidically controlled PBC actuators for automation of the paper-based assay. The PBC model undergoing hygro-expansion utilize quasi-static 2-D fluid loaded structure governed by the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory for small and moderately large deflections. Solution for the model can avail the response of paper-based actuators for response deflection θ, within 0° to 10° under the assumption of insignificant cross-sectional deformation. The actuation of PBC obtained using a quasi-static theory shows that our results are consistent with quantitative experiments demonstrating the adequacy of models.