Micro Fluidic Flow and Pressure

The use of micro fluidic devices for research and analytical purposes has some important advantages. Firstly, because the internal volumes within the instruments are very small, the analysis will be faster and the amount of reagents and analytes used can be reduced. The latter is especially significant for expensive reagents. Furthermore, the physical dimensions are much smaller than those of conventional devices. This enables Life Sciences system integrators to downscale the size, inherently reducing the costs of ownership of their equipment. Also, the availability of compact and lightweight instruments could lead to the development of portable systems.

Previously, conventional mass flow and pressure meters and controllers have needed a footprint of 1.5", as for instance specified in the NeSSITM system. Bronkhorst has developed the IQ+FLOW mass flow sensor; the smallest mass flow and pressure meter/controller in the world.

Due to the use of micro system technology (MST), Bronkhorst has been able to halve the footprint dimension to 0.75", thereby realising ultra-compact flow controllers for flow rates from 0.2 to 5000 sccm (mln/min) and pressure controllers for 0.3 to 150 psi.

Thanks to the modular concept of the IQ+FLOW series, multiple channel arrangements can be realised on one compact manifold, with one multi-channel digital pc-board (per 3 channels) in one housing.

With our unsurpassed expertise in the field of low flow measurement and control of both gases and liquids, Bronkhorst offers precision equipment that is ideally suited to meet the critical requirements of micro fluidic research and system integration.