MICROFLUIDIC FLOW RATE SENSOR
Accurate to below 1 µl/min
Be alerted of issues
Trustworthy readings throughout
Highlights
Low flow rates
As the microfluidics field evolves, it stretches the capabilities of current instruments. The demand for low flow rates is an example. Current flow sensors cannot read below 1 µl/min accurately. Galileo was designed to bridge this technological gap, giving you accurate reading below 1µl/min.
It was also designed to work with all types of pumps, such as pressure-driven flow controllers and syringe pumps, as can be seen in the schematics below.
Clogging detection
Microfluidics systems are complex because they depend on several parts put together: pumps, tubings, connectors, chips, sensors, valves, you name it. And when something goes wrong, a lot of time is lost trying to troubleshoot the whole system. To make life easier, our microfluidic flow sensor, Galileo, can alert you if the problem is coming from its internal fluidic path.
Drift Detection
Through empirical observation, our team realised that flow sensors drift during long experiments due, for instance, to modification of the inner flow path of the sensor, i.e. biofouling by the accumulation of particles on the walls of the sensor.
So we developed a flow sensor that can detect if modifications are occurring within its channel walls. When drift occurs, it gives out a visual alert, so you can have 100% confident in your readings and take measures to correct any drift by easily replacing the cartridge.
The Microfluidics Innovation Center developed Galileo, a highly-performant microfluidic flow sensor with proven high accuracy, precision, and reliability.
The technology provides a robust and versatile solution for microfluidic applications thanks to its many features:
- <5% flow rate accuracy for any given range
- Configurable sensing ranges from 0.5 to 10,000 µL/min
- Fully replaceable cartridge format for range configuration and flow path replacement
- Automatic detection of internal clogging and measurement drift (e.g., biofouling)
- Bi-directional flow rate measurement (positive & negative)
- Galileo user interface and LCD screen for direct flow rate monitoring
Technical specifications
Flow rate ranges: For example, flow rate ranges with <5% accuracy:
- 0.5 – 60 µL/min
- 2 – 150 µL/min
- 40 – 1200 µL/min
- 0.5 – 10 mL/min
Note that the range can be customized depending on working fluid properties (viscosity, etc.)
Calibrated liquids: aqueous media (others are possible upon request)
Wetted materials: PEEK, steel, fluorosilicone, perfluoropolyether resin
Internal volume: approx. 40 µL (variable depending on the used configuration range)
Operation pressure: up to 3 bar gauge pressure
Maximum pressure rating: up to 6 bar gauge pressure
Software operability: standalone GUI for data visualization and logging; optional Python API
Please note that this is a beta version of this technology, so exact specifications are subject to change.
Download the Galileo user interface
- Detection of the Galileo flow sensor
- Reading and plotting flow rate in real time
- Display of clogging detection flag
- Record flow rate and clogging detection with an acquisition rate of up to 100 Hz
Can the cartridges be reused?
Yes, depending on your application. The flow sensor cartridges can be reused if there’s no alert of clogging, or if you face no problems of cross-contamination in your experiments.
With which types of pumps can the sensor be used?
Our microfluidic flow sensor can be used with all types of pumps, as it has an independent software that doesn’t depend on the flow generating system.
Can I have customized features?
We would love to hear what you have in mind. Drop us a line at innovation@microfluidic.fr or just click on the “get a quote” green button on top.
Funding and Support
The development of this microfluidic flow sensor has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon research and innovation program under HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITION-01, grant agreement no. 101113098 (GALILEO).
