Precision Pressure Pump Featuring Dual-Valve Control and Onboard Compression for Microfluidic Systems

The essence of microfluidics lies in its ability to manipulate fluids within compact and portable systems. However, existing pressure pumps rely on bulky external compressors and are costly. Open-source solutions are generally suited for passive microfluidic applications due to their slow settling times (1500–2500 s). The innovative pressure regulator developed uses two proportional solenoid valves and a built-in compression unit. The pressure regulation is ensured by a Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller. A comparative analysis is conducted between the developed regulator and a commercial regulator (Marsh Bellofram). Both regulators provide a comparable accuracy of about ±0.01 psi (±0.7 mbar) from the desired pressure. However, our regulator demonstrates a faster settling time (∼100 ms vs. ∼200 ms), which is particularly desirable for implementation in an active system, while offering a lower price (∼USD 250 vs. ∼USD 1000). We present a cost-effective, compact pressure pump that does not rely on bulky compressors. It delivers fast and precise pressure, even at low pressure, making it suitable for both active and passive microfluidic applications. This design improves access to pressure regulation in microfluidics for low-budget laboratories and limited infrastructure environments.