Microfluidic Tools for DNA Analysis - DNA Nanotechnology: From Structure to Function - page 130

Fig. 7.13 Digital PCR on pneumatic pressure (or hydraulic pressure) valve-based microfluidic
chip [ 78 ]. Many parallel chambers are connected by the upper channel network to a single input.
When pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied to the bottom control channel network, the mem-
branes between the upper and bottom channels are deflected upward, creating micromechanical
valves. When the valves are closed, the continuous upper network is partitioned into independent
PCR reactors
Fig. 7.14 Digital PCR on hydraulic pressure valve-based microfluidic chip (Reprinted with the
permission from Ref. [ 77 ]. Copyright 2012 American Chemical Society)
They evacuate the air dissolved in PDMS by putting the PDMS chip in a vacuum,
and the redissolution of air through the PDMS channel walls provides the kinetic
energy for the liquid movement when the chip is brought back to the atmosphere
(Fig. 7.15 b). In addition to traditional PCR, digital amplification certainly can be
implemented under isothermal conditions. Ismagilov and coworkers performed RPA