Preparation of Glucose Hydrogel as Actuator in Microvalve

This paper reports on the preparation and the swelling studies of glucose hydrogel for microvalve. This glucose hydrogel were synthesized with 80 mg Acrylamide (Aam) and crosslinked with a bifunctional crosslinking agent, 0.5 mg N,N' Methylene-Bisacrylamide (Bis). The hydrogel polymerization were initiated with 0.5 mg Ammonium Persulfate (APS) and the reaction rate is accelerated by the addition of catalyst, 5 mu l N'N, N, N' Tetramethylene Diamine (TEMED). The TEMED only added when the gel is completely ready for polymerization to occur. The hydrogel microstructures were planned to fabricate by using photo resist lithography and dry etching similar done by Antonio. Et al 2004. The swelling studies will help for applying the open/close movement of cantilever, once the complete system of normally closed micro valve has been fully fabricated.