Droplet movement control using fuzzy logic controller and image processing along with pin valves inside microfluidic device

Abstract

Most of the research studies nowadays are trying to bring automation to biomedical engineering and Lab on a Chip which is fast growing interdisciplinary field and has attracted researchers from various fields. The objective of this paper is to present an overall system to control droplet movement inside microfluidic channel using fuzzy logic controller, image processing algorithm, and microvalves installed within microfluidic channel. A state space model has been derived from circuit analogy approach to describe the microfluidic network. Furthermore, a COMSOL-based study is primed for device structure by means of droplet generation and controlling the droplet through fitted valves. Moreover, an image processing algorithm based on active contours has been proposed in this research to track the movement of the droplet through the channel. This droplet controlling method is utterly based on fuzzy controller as well as camera images to move the droplet at desired position by controlling flow rates inside the fluidic channel using valves installed inside the microfluidic device. The results indicate that the fuzzy logic controller performs much better in terms of stability and faster response as compared to conventional proportional–integral–derivative controller.