Remote sensing of pressure inside deformable microchannels using light scattering in Scotch tape

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple optical method using laser scattering in Scotch tape to remotely measure pressure inside deformable microchannels with high sensitivity and low resolution below 0.1 kPa.

Contribution

It presents a novel, easy-to-implement technique for pressure sensing in microchannels using speckle pattern analysis through a translucent Scotch tape.

Findings

Pressure can be sensed remotely with resolution below 0.1 kPa.

Method effective within a pressure range of 3 kPa.

High sensitivity and reproducibility demonstrated.

Abstract

We present a simple but effective method to measure the pressure inside a deformable micro-channel using laser scattering in a translucent Scotch tape. Our idea exploits the fact that the speckle pattern generated by a turbid layer is sensitive to the changes in an optical wavefront of an impinging beam. A change in the internal pressure of a channel deforms the elastic channel, which can be detected by measuring speckle patterns of a coherent laser that has passed through the channel and the Scotch tape. We demonstrate that internal pressure can be remotely sensed with the resolution below 0.1 kPa within a pressure range of 3 kPa after calibration. With its high sensitivity, reproducibility, and easy applicability, the present method will find direct and diverse applications.