| abstract |
Microfluidic systems including liquid containment regions and methods associated therewith for performing chemical, biological, or biochemical analyses are provided. Liquid containment regions of a microfluidic device may include regions that capture one or more liquids flowing in the device, while allowing gases or other fluids in the device to pass through the region. This may be achieved, in some embodiments, by positioning one or more absorbent materials in the liquid containment region for absorbing the liquids. This configuration may be useful for removing air bubbles from a stream of fluid and/or for separating hydrophobic liquids from hydrophilic liquids. In certain embodiments, the liquid containment region prevents any liquid from passing through the region. In some such cases, the liquid containment region may act as a waste area by capturing substantially all of the liquid in the device, thereby preventing any liquid from exiting the device. This arrangement may be useful when the device is used as a diagnostic tool, as the liquid containment region may prevent a user from being exposed to potentially-harmful fluids in the device. |