Microfluidic chain reaction of structurally programmed capillary flow events

Mohamed Yafia, Oriol Ymbern, Ayokunle O. Olanrewaju, Azim Parandakh, Ahmad Sohrabi Kashani, Johan Renault, Zijie Jin, Geunyong Kim, Andy Ng & David Juncker

Chain reactions, characterized by initiation, propagation and termination, are stochastic at microscopic scales and underlie vital chemical (for example, combustion engines), nuclear and biotechnological (for example, polymerase chain reaction) applications1,2,3,4,5. At macroscopic scales, chain reactions are deterministic and limited to applications for entertainment and art such as falling dominoes and Rube Goldberg machines. On the other hand, the microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (also called a micro-total analysis system)6,7 was visualized as an integrated chip, akin to microelectronic integrated circuits, yet in practice remains dependent on cumbersome peripherals, connections and a computer for automation8,9,10,11. Capillary microfluidics integrate energy supply and flow control onto a single chip by using capillary phenomena, but programmability remains rudimentary with at most a handful (eight) operations possible12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19. Here we introduce the microfluidic chain reaction (MCR) as the conditional, structurally programmed propagation of capillary flow events. Monolithic chips integrating a MCR are three-dimensionally printed, and powered by the free energy of a paper pump, autonomously execute liquid handling algorithms step-by-step. With MCR, we automated (1) the sequential release of 300 aliquots across chained, interconnected chips, (2) a protocol for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies detection in saliva and (3) a thrombin generation assay by continuous subsampling and analysis of coagulation-activated plasma with parallel operations including timers, iterative cycles of synchronous flow and stop-flow operations. MCRs are untethered from and unencumbered by peripherals, encode programs structurally in situ and can form a frugal, versatile, bona fide lab-on-a-chip with wide-ranging applications in liquid handling and point-of-care diagnostics.

We kindly thank the researchers at McGill University for this collaboration, and for sharing the results obtained with their system.

Main

The MCR encodes the deterministic release of reagents stored in a series of reservoirs, with the release of reservoir n being conditional on the emptying (draining) of the reagent in reservoir n − 1, and emptying reservoir n, in turn triggering the release of reservoir n + 1. Capillary domino valves (CDVs) encode this condition, and serially connect, that is, chain, the reservoirs, and thus control the propagation of the chain reaction (Fig. 1a). MCRs were implemented in three-dimensionally printed circuits made with a common stereolithography printer with feature size from 100 µm to 1.5 mm, hydrophilized using a plasma chamber (Extended Data Fig. 1 and 2), sealed with a plain cover and connected to a capillary pump made of paper (filter papers or absorbent pads). The paper was spontaneously wetted by aqueous solution drawn from the microfluidic circuit by releasing free energy stored in the paper surface, and this drove the chain reaction; expressed differently, the capillary pump generated a negative capillary pressure that was hydraulically transmitted back into the circuit through the main channel and serially drained side-reservoirs connected by a small conduit, called the functional connection (further described below). CDVs form air links between adjacent reservoirs, serially connecting them along a path parallel to the main channel, but interrupted by filled reservoirs that form liquid plugs between CDV air links. When the (first) reservoir connected to the air vent through a continuous air link is emptied, the plug is removed and the length of the air link propagates to the next filled reservoir in the MCR (Fig. 1a–d and Supplementary Video 1). This simple design structurally encodes the conditional propagation of capillary flow events and the step-by-step release of an arbitrary number N of reservoirs without peripheral connections or moving parts, and is further detailed in the Supplementary Information.

a, (i) Serial MCR, (ii) branching MCR, (iii) cascaded, timed MCR. b, MCR unit with three reservoirs chained through CDVs and close-up of dual function SV/RBVs that keep liquid out of the CDV air link (forming a pneumatic connection) and prevent premature drainage. c, Symbolic view of the MCR unit with capillary retention valves (infinity symbol), CDV (grey overlay) that includes an air link, two SV/RBVs and functional connection. d, Screen shots of Supplementary Video 1 showing MCR sequences in which most of the capillary elements have dual functions, one during reagent loading, one during MCR propagation. (i) A loaded chip with liquids confined to the reservoirs by physical and capillary valves. (ii) MCR is triggered (the inlet becomes a capillary retention valve and the top SV becomes a RBV). (iii) Emptying of the first reservoir on bursting of the top RBV. (iv) The bottom SV momentarily becomes an RBV that bursts immediately. (v) Air now occupies the emptied reservoir. The functional connection (FC) becomes a capillary retention valve preventing the air from penetrating into in the main channel. The air link connects the air to the RBV of the next reservoir, which bursts and triggers reservoir emptying. Scale bar, 2 mm.

MCRs require ancillary capillary microfluidic components that fulfil different functions depending on the intended operation (for example, loading, holding, mixing and draining liquids following the MCR progression) to form fully integrated and scalable capillaric circuits (CCs). CCs are designed on the basis of a library of building blocks including capillary pumps, flow resistances and many types of capillary valve (stop valves (SVs), trigger valves, retention valves, retention burst valves (RBVs))12,14, and thus are analogous to microelectronic integrated circuits, but lacking the scalability and functionality. In MCRs, samples are loaded by capillary flow through an inlet with a capillary retention valve and entirely fill the reservoirs lined with three SVs, including two with a dual RBV function connecting to the two lateral CDVs, and one at the intersection of the functional connection and the main channel (Fig. 1c). Although the functional connection is a deceptively simple straight channel, it fulfils six key functions. It is (1) the air vent during filling of the reservoir, and (2) a SV preventing the reagent from spilling into the main channel while it is empty. After filling of the main channel, it forms a (3) hydraulic link propagating the pressure from the main channel into the reservoir and (4) a barrier (and bottleneck) to the diffusion of reagents between the reservoir and the main channel. (5) It becomes the outlet and a flow resistance (discussed further below) during reservoir emptying, and (6) a capillary retention valve stopping air from invading the main conduit after the reservoir is emptied. As a result, many trade-offs guide its design.

We sought to understand the design window and failure modes of MCRs, notably under which conditions downstream of CDVs might trigger prematurely, using both theory and experiments. MCR-CCs incorporate numerous capillary SVs according to previously established design criteria13 and while considering three-dimensional (3D) printer performance including resolution, imprecision and printing errors. We then analysed the MCR based on an electrical circuit analogy (Extended Data Fig. 3) and derived a simplified circuit that neglects minor resistances (Fig. 2a)13. Successful and incremental propagation of the MCR is conditional on preventing the breach of the liquid in reservoir n into the CDV and air link connecting n + 1, which is equivalent to stating that all the liquid in reservoir n must flow exclusively through the functional connection n.

a, The simplified equivalent electrical circuit of the MCR units shown in Fig. 1. b, Experimental SV burst pressure (1) and RBV retention pressure (2) for valves with conduits with different, square cross-sections fitted with a numerical and an analytical model, respectively. c, Illustration of failure for a CDV with long serpentine FCs with very high resistance leading to liquid breach inside the air link, and premature draining of reservoir n + 1. d, Tests of six MCRs with increasing RFC and three different paper pumps to determine the effect of varying the flow rate (n = 3 for each paper pump and RFC). All data points are shown in b and d. Error bars are standard deviations from three experiments, the centre of each error bar is the mean value. As predicted, the CDVs fail when the pressure drop across the FC PFC(n) exceeds the CDV threshold pressure PBURS(n)  + PRBV(n+1).

The flow path from reservoir n to n + 1 is interrupted by the CDV, which includes the capillary SV at one extremity and RBV at the other, with bursting thresholds of PBURS and PRBV, respectively. If either of these valves fails prematurely, then the propagation of the MCR is at risk of disruption. But because both valves are pneumatically connected by the air trapped within the air link, their pressures are additive and hence the threshold for failure of either is the sum of the two. The condition for success is QFAIL = 0, which during drainage of reservoir n is satisfied if the pressure drop on the functional connection (FC) PFC = QFC × RFC is (see also Supplementary Information for a detailed mathematical derivation):

We calculated PBURS (numerically)20 and PRBV (analytically, Supplementary Information) for conduits with a square cross-section (W = H) for the typical dimension in our 3D-printed CCs, and measured them experimentally for validation (Fig. 2b and Extended Data Fig. 4). Both PBURS and PRBV are inversely proportional to the smallest dimension of the rectangular conduit. We accounted for the hydrophobic ceiling formed by the sealing tape in both cases (Extended Data Fig. 2b), and which is a key feature to forming a functional SV20. Note that because of the comparatively low pressures and small volume of the air links, the compressibility of air is negligible here.

Next, several MCRs featuring functional connections with large and increasing RFC were tested with pumps with different capillary pressure and flow rates. The interplay between the resistance and the flow rate determines the operational window for the CDV while they are inversely proportional. We found excellent concordance between theory and experiments for the operation window of the MCR, and failure only occurred for the highest values of RFC (nos. 5 and 6), and for only the most powerful capillary pumps (Fig. 2c,d and Extended Data Fig. 5). The MCR designs used in the proof-of-concept applications, shown below, are well within the failure threshold, helping to ensure reliable propagation of the chain reaction.

We designed a chip-to-chip interface with a leakage-free connection for liquid (main channel) and air (connecting the CDVs), respectively, and connected four chips with 75 MCRs each (Fig. 3a and Supplementary Video 2). This result illustrates the reliability of the MCR and of CDVs, and demonstrates integrated, large-scale fluidic operations by ‘passive’ capillary microfluidics, beyond the capability of many ‘active’, computer programmable microfluidic systems.

Fig. 3: Large-scale MCR and COVID-19 serology assay in saliva.

a, A MCR of 300 aliquots stored in 4.9 µl reservoirs across four chained and interconnected chips (Supplementary Video 2). b, SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in saliva. Sequential, preprogrammed release of reagents by MCR is triggered by connecting the paper pump (Supplementary Video 3). The MCR supplies four reagents and four buffers in sequence. The functionality includes delivery and removal (by flushing) of solutions, metering (40–200 µl) by reservoir size, flow speed and time control by the flow resistance of the FC and the capillary pressure of the paper pump. The enzymatic amplification produces a brown precipitate line visible to the naked eye. c, Assay results and binding curve obtained by spiking antibody into saliva, and imaging by scanner and cell phone with representative images of the detection zone for each concentration, indicating the potential for quantitative point-of-care assays. d, An assembled chip filled with coloured solutions highlighting the channels for the different reagents and washing buffer.

Materials

Clear Microfluidics Resin V7.0a

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Curezone

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M Series

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Automated SARS-CoV-2-specific saliva antibody detection assay

We measured antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, with application potential for early infection detection21,22, initial patient assessment as prognosis indicator23 and for serosurveys to differentiate vaccinated and naturally infected individuals24. Conventional lateral flow assays with predried reagents are simple to operate, but typically do not include enzymatic amplification that underlies the laboratory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and have to be read out within a few minutes of completion. Here, we used MCR to automate a sequence of eight steps in common laboratory ELISA protocols (Fig. 3b and Supplementary Video 3). The chip is connected to a small paper pump to drain excess buffer, and a nitrocellulose strip for assay readout itself connected to a large-capacity paper pump that drives the MCR. Note that the MCR propagates in a direction opposite from the flow in the main channel, and reagents released sequentially from reservoirs all flow past previously emptied reservoirs, thus minimizing the diffusional mixing between reagents. We used 3,3ʹ-diaminobenzidine as a substrate that on enzymatic conversion produced a brown, persisting precipitate that could serve both as an immediate readout and a record for archival. Assay parameters such as volume, time and reagent concentrations were optimized extensively following standard protocols (see Extended Data Fig. 6 for examples) and will be reported elsewhere. The result can be visualized by the naked eye or quantified using a scanner or a smartphone integrated with a simple folded origami box to minimize light interference, with a sensitive, quantitative and reproducible output (Fig. 3c and Extended Data Figs. 7 and 8).

Automated microfluidic thrombin generation assay (TGA)

Routine coagulation tests (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time) are used as initial evaluation of haemostatic status. These tests terminate on clot formation and thus only inform on the initiation of clotting, whereas the coagulation cascade continues and generates 95% of total thrombin (the final enzyme in the coagulation cascade)25. The haemostatic capacity, expressed as the endogenous thrombin potential, can therefore not be fully evaluated by these tests26. Global coagulation assays, such as the TGA that provides the time-course of active thrombin concentration in clotting plasma, are better measures of haemostatic function. Peak height, shape and area under curve of the thrombin generation curve (also known as the thrombogram, Fig. 4a) can be determined and correlated to clinical phenotypes to investigate coagulation disorders, and measure the effect of anticoagulants27. The first TGA was introduced in the 1950s, and involves the activation of coagulation of blood or plasma, followed by a two-stage assay that requires the collection and mixing of subsamples with fibrinogen (or chromogenic substrates following their availability) at precisely timed intervals (for example, 1 min) over the course of 20 min or so, followed by the quantification of thrombin in each of them28,29. The labour intensity, strict timing requirements and risk of error are great obstacles to wider adoption and clinical use of TGAs-by-subsampling. The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) introduced in 2002 simplifies operations thanks to newly synthesized thrombin substrates, a calibration TGA using the patient sample spiked with reference material and mathematical extrapolation30.

a, Model thrombin generation curve (thrombograms) for plasma with normal (red) and disordered (blue) coagulation. The grey box is the time window of the thrombochip. b, TGA operations and algorithm encoded in the thrombochip. c, Schematic of the thrombochip with inset. d, The (i) timer, (ii) simultaneous release of defibrinated plasma and reagents (quencher and substrate), (iii) mixing and (iv) flow-stop in the reaction chamber and monitoring of the fluorescence time-course signal. e, Fluorescent thrombin substrate turnover in the ten 1-min interval subsamples; the slope of each curve is proportional to thrombin concentration, and is one data point in the thrombogram. f, g, Abridged thrombograms of defibrinated human plasma that is normal (three replicates of pooled plasma), factor depleted (F5, F8, F9; single measurement for each factor) (f) and mixed with anticoagulant drug (Enoxaparin) at different concentrations (g) (single measurement at each concentration). The thrombin generation time-courses are concordant with expectations.

Here, we demonstrate the capacity of MCR to automate the original TGA-by-subsampling in a microfluidic implementation that we called a "thrombochip". We devised an algorithm (Fig. 4b) for automating and timing the procedure with cascaded, iterative and branching fluidic operations, and structurally programmed it into a 3D-printed chip (Fig. 4c, Extended Data Fig. 9 and Supplementary Video 4). Defibrinated, coagulation-activated plasma subsamples and reagent were loaded into the thrombochip, and on triggering of the MCR, without further intervention, they were released at 1 min intervals from the ten pairs of reservoirs, mixed in the serpentine mixer and stored in a 2.1 µl reaction chamber with a width of 500 µm for fluorescence signal generation and readout using a camera (Supplementary Videos 5 and 6). The concentration of thrombin in each of the subsamples is proportional to the rate of the fluorescent substrate turnover, and the time-course of thrombin is reported as a thrombogram.

Reliable execution of the TGA subsample analysis algorithm faced several practical challenges, and in particular draining of two reservoirs simultaneously is inherently unstable. Indeed, as soon as one reservoir starts being drained, the (absolute) pressure in the CC drops, and readily falls below the threshold of the RBV of the second reservoir, which will not burst, meaning the reservoir will remain filled. The MCR and 3D printing helped overcome this challenge and the reservoir pair containing plasma and reagents could be drained synchronously. An embedded air link connecting the outlet of reservoir n to the RBVs of both n + 1 and n + 1’, which were identical and very weak RBVs (cross-section, 1 × 1 mm2) lead to simultaneous bursting and reliable propagation of the chain reaction. Other critical features are a serpentine mixer; stop-flow and holding of the solution in the reaction chambers for the thrombin quantification; a pressure pinning structure at the main outlet to cut the hydraulic connection to the paper pump after completion of the fluidic operation; an RBV at the main outlet that pins liquid and helps prevent backflow to safeguards the reaction chambers from uncontrolled mixing and finally evaporation during the extended monitoring and imaging of the thrombin reaction.

As validation of the thrombochip, human pooled plasma, plasma depleted of Factors V, VIII and IX, and plasma spiked with the anticoagulant Enoxaparin (an anti-Factor Xa drug) were analysed. The corresponding thrombograms were reproducible, consistent with normal and impaired coagulation cascades caused by factor depletion, and measured the dose-response of Enoxaparin (Fig. 4f, g). The general profile of the thrombograms generated in these proof-of-concept experiments are comparable to those by CAT and other microtitre plate-based assays31,32, but direct comparison of the data such as lag time and peak concentration requires standardized sample processing, reference materials and normalization, which can guide future development of the thrombochip.

Conclusion and discussion

MCRs introduce deterministic, modular and programmable chain reactions at the mesoscale and constitute a new concept for autonomous, programmable liquid operations and algorithms by control of both hydraulic and pneumatic flow and connectivity. The automation of complex and repetitive liquid handling operations has so far only been possible with a computer, software programs and cumbersome peripheral equipment, either robotics or, in the case of microfluidics6, systems to supply reagents, power or flow control8,9,10,11. MCR introduces mesoscale chain reactions as a frugal, integrated, scalable and programmable process that power integrated labs-on-a-chip.

The MCR chip micro-architecture is simultaneously the circuit and the code of the chain reaction, is manufacturable with a variety of techniques and scalable along two distinctive paths: First, following microelectronics example and Moore’s law, by shrinking and increasing the number of features per unit area and per unit volume (for example, by using 3D printing). Second, by expanding the overall size of CC-MCRs by interconnecting and chaining chips, and, inspired by trees that draw liquids more than 100 m in height, linking them to powerful capillary pumps33. We anticipate numbers of steps far beyond the 300 shown here, and far more complex algorithms than the ones of the thrombochip.

MCRs are generalizable, compatible with positive pressure operations and could be interfaced with active microfluidics and robotic liquid handling systems. Spontaneous, capillary flow MCRs may be further improved too with permanently hydrophilic resins or coatings, liquid storage pouches and predried reagents34, notably for point-of-care applications and any other uses. An end-user, by simply depositing a drop of solution at the inlet, could trigger a choreography of timed operations including aliquoting, delivery, mixing, flushing and reactions of several chemicals. As MCRs can be 3D-printed and monolithically encoded in a chip, the entry barrier is very low (entry-level resin-based printers cost <US$300). MCRs may be home-manufactured easily, or mail-ordered, opening the way for rapid dissemination and for new inventions, advances and for downloadable and printable microfluidic apps.

Methods

Chip design and fabrication
The chips were designed using AutoCAD (Autodesk) and exported as .STL files for 3D printing. CCs encoding MCRs were made with a digital micromirror display (DMD) 3D printer (Miicraft 100, Creative Cadworks) using a transparent resin (Rapid Model Resin Clear, Monocure 3D) purchased from filaments.ca. The following printing parameters were used: the layer thickness was 20 µm and the exposure time 1.5 s per layer, whereas the exposure time for the base layer was 10 s with four transition buffer layers. Following completion of the print, the chips were cleaned with isopropanol and post-cured for 1 min under ultraviolet (UV) light (Professional CureZone, Creative Cadworks).

Microchannels with cross-sections ranging from 250 × 100 to 1,500 × 1,000 µm2 were fabricated and hydrophilized by plasma activation for 10 s at approximately 30% power (PE50 plasma chamber, Plasma Etch).

CCs were sealed with a delayed tack adhesive tape (9795R microfluidic tape, 3M) forming the cover.

Paper capillary pump Filter papers (Whatman filter paper grade 4, 1 and 50 Hardened, Cytiva) were used as paper capillary pumps for all experiments except the SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay. The pore size from 4, 1 and 50 hardened is in decreasing order, and flow resistance and capillary pressure increase with decreasing pore size.

For the SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay, absorbent pads (Electrophoresis and Blotting Paper, Grade 238, Ahlstrom-Munksjo Chromatography) were used as pumps.

Chip-to-chip connections for the 300 capillary flow events
To obtain a leakage-free connection, a thin layer of uncured photoresin, prepared by mixing poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA MW 258, Sigma-Aldrich) and Irgacure-819 (1% w/w), was applied to all of the chip-to-chip interfaces. Next, the chips were assembled and exposed to UV light in a UV chamber (320–390 nm, UVitron Intelliray 600) at 50% intensity for 30 s to cure the resin and seal the connections.

Videos and image processing
Videos and images were recorded using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3K. Structural images of the chip and the embedded conduits were obtained using micro-computed tomography (Skyscan 1172, Bruker) and used to confirm the dimensions. Contact angles were measured on the basis of side view images (n = 3) and analysed using the Dropsnake extension in Image J.

Modelling and calculations
The theoretical burst pressures of capillary SVs were calculated by solving the flow field using the finite element method with COMSOL Multiphysics v.5.5. Experimentally measured contact angles (100º and 40º for the cover and the channel, respectively) were used to solve two-phase capillary flow using the level-set method. The capillary flows leading up to the SV was solved for a time period of 0–0.02 s with a time step of 1 × 10−5 s. The inlet pressure was varied with 10 Pa increment for each simulation until a burst was observed.

Experiments on pressure thresholds for capillary SV and RBV
We 3D-printed modules to evaluate SV/RBV with different cross-section areas. Each module contained three SV/RBV for replicate results. SV/RBV consisted of a two-level SV based on a geometrical channel expansion, as described elsewhere12. The chips integrated a conical inlet/outlet for tubing connection to a microfluidic flow controller system (MFCS-4C) and Fluiwell package (Fluigent) with fluidic reservoirs containing 5% red food dye in MilliQ water solution (see Extended Data Fig. 4 for setup images and Fig. 2 for contact angles). MAESFLO v.3.3.1 software (Fluigent) controlled the application of positive or negative pressure to calculate the burst pressures of the SV (liquid burst into air link) and RBV (receding meniscus), with increments of 0.1 mbar (roughly 10 Pa).

SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay
Reagents
SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein was purchased from Sino Biological, Inc. (40588-V08B). Human Chimeric antibody against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein was purchased from Genscript Biotech (A02039). SIGMAFAST 3,3ʹ-diaminobenzidine tablets were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Biotinylated Goat-anti-Human antibody was purchased from Cedarlane (GTXHU-003-DBIO). Pierce streptavidin poly-HRP (21140) was purchased from ThermoFisher.

Nitrocellulose strips
Nitrocellulose membranes (Whatman FF80HP Plus nitrocellulose-backed membranes, Cytiva) were cut into 5.2-mm-wide strips using the Silhouette Portrait paper cutter (Silhouette). Membranes were striped with a 5-mm-wide test line of 0.25 mg ml−1 SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein delivered using a programmable inkjet spotter (sciFLEXARRAYER SX, Scienion). The test line consists of four lanes of 50 droplets of about 350 pl printed 100 µm apart from each other. Eight passes of 25 droplets were used for each lane on even and odd positions to allow solution absorption in between passes. The membranes were then dried for 1 h at 37 °C before blocking by dipping into 1% BSA in 1× PBS solution until completely wet, then retrieved and left to dry for 1 h at 37 °C and then stored with desiccant at 4 °C until use the next day.

Connection of capillary pump and nitrocellulose chip to MCR chips
Nitrocellulose strips were mounted following standard lateral flow assay assembly protocols. The nitrocellulose strip was connected to a glass fibre conjugate pad (G041 SureWick, Millipore Sigma) on one end, and to an absorbent pad (Electrophoresis and Blotting Paper, Grade 238, Ahlstrom-Munksjo Chromatography) serving as the capillary pump at the other end. All three were attached to an adhesive tape serving as the backing layer. For the saliva antibody assay, the nitrocellulose strip was sandwiched between three absorbent pads (15 × 25 mm2) and clamped with a paper clip. For the food-dye demonstrations a single absorbent pad (25 × 45 mm2) was magnetically clamped to the nitrocellulose membrane.

Saliva assay protocol
Human saliva was extracted with oral swabs (SalivaBio, Salimetrics), followed by centrifugation and 1:10 dilution with 0.22 µM filtered phosphate buffer saline containing 1% BSA, 0.1% Tween 20. Human chimeric antibody against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein at 0 to 1,000 ng ml−1 was spiked into diluted saliva and loaded to the sample reservoirs. Three replicate measurements for concentrations of 0–10 ng ml−1, two replicate measurements for concentrations of 30–300 ng ml−1 and one measurement for 1,000 ng ml−1. Biotinylated goat anti-human antibody at 0.5 µg ml−1 and streptavidin poly-HRP at 0.5 µg ml−1 were used to detect the human antibody. Control line in the nitrocellulose strip confirms reagents delivery and colorimetric reaction completion.

Image analysis on the nitrocellulose strips
After drainage of all reservoirs, the nitrocellulose membrane strip was removed, placed on a support and left to dry for 1 h.

The dry strips were imaged using (1) a flatbed scanner (mfc-9970cdw, Brother) at a resolution of 600 dpi and (2) using a Huawei P10 smartphone with a 12 megapixel image sensor and a rear camera with a 27 mm focal length (Huawei) in a customized box. The box was cut and folded with black cardboard paper to block ambient light when imaging with the smartphone. The box had two slots fitting the size of camera and nitrocellulose strip, respectively, to ensure accurate alignment of the strip for readout. Images were taken with on-camera dual tone light-emitting diode flash at full power. Analysis of smartphone-taken and scanned images was done as follows.

Mean grey values of nitrocellulose test lines were extracted with ImageJ 1.48v (ImageJ, public domain software, W. Rasband, National Institutes of Health) within a 100 × 10 pixel rectangular area. Local background grey values were taken at 2.5 mm (0.1 inch) above each test line (following direction of the flow) for the same rectangular area, and subtracted from test line values. The normalized standard curve was then generated by subtracting negative control signal value (0 ng ml−1) from all data points.

The limit of detection was calculated using the three-sigma criterion using a non-linear four-parameter logistic curve fit of the log-transformed data with OriginPro 8.5 SPR (OriginLab Corporation).

Automated microfluidic TGA (Thrombochip)
Citrated human plasma (P9523, lot number SLBX8880), fluorogenic thrombin substrate Z-GGR-AMC and Enoxaparin were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich; Batroxobin was from Prospec; Technothrombin TGA RC High reagent was from Diapharma; Human thrombin, non-patient plasma that were immuno-depleted of Factor V and Factor IX, and Factor VIII inactivated were from Haematologic Technologies; (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and CaCl2 were from Sigma-Aldrich.

The purchased pooled human plasma (collected in the United States in a Food and Drug Administration licensed centre site no. 268, as specified in the Certificate of Origin supplied by the manufacturer) was prepared by the manufacturer from whole blood collected by standard industry method using 4% trisodium citrate as an anticoagulant, pooled and then centrifuged. The resulting plasma was 0.45 µm filtered and lyophilized. Factor V- and Factor IX-depleted plasma were immune depleted; Factor VIII-depleted plasma was prepared by chemical depletion. The plasma preparations were assayed to ensure the activity of the remaining factors by the manufacturer.

Human plasma (pooled normal or factor depleted) were defibrinated by the addition of batroxobin (final concentration 0.6 BU ml−1). The mixtures were incubated at room temperature for 20 min, followed by an extra incubation at 4 °C for 1 h. The mixtures were then centrifuged at 10,000g for 10 min to remove the fibrin clot and other debris. Defibrinated plasma were collected from the supernatant.

A solution containing 21% defibrinated plasma (plasma defibrination is needed to prevent clogging of the microfluidic channels by the fibrin clot), 48% Technothrombin TGA RC High reagent (high phospholipid and relipidated tissue factor content) and 20 mM CaCl2 in 25 mM HEPES at pH 7.4 was loaded into the sample reservoirs of the thrombochip. A substrate solution containing 420 µM Z-GGR-AMC, 30 mM EDTA in 25 mM HEPES at pH 7.4 was loaded into the reagent reservoirs. The concentration of plasma, activation agent and substrate were optimized to yield a peak thrombin concentration and time of 150 nM and 200 s. All solutions were equilibrated to room temperature for 20 min before loading. Coagulation-inhibited plasma contained Enoxaparin at final concentrations of 0 to 1.0 anti-Xa units ml−1 or IU ml−1. The samples and reagents were loaded on the chip after initiating the coagulation cascade. The paper pump was connected to the chip to start the flow after 5 min from initiating the coagulation cascade. Fluorescence signals generated in the reaction chambers were monitored by illuminating the thrombochip with UV light at 365 nm with 20 W (realUV LED Flood Light, Waveform Lighting) and the visible 440 nm fluorescence emission signals measured by imaging at 5 s intervals using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3K digital camera (f/3.5, Exposure time: 2 s, ISO-200). The rate of fluorescence signal generation in each reaction chamber (that is, the slope of the recorded fluorescence generation curve) is a measure of the rate of substrate turnover by thrombin and was used to deduce the amount of thrombin generated using a standard curve. Image J was used to analyse the images for fluorescence intensity.

Standard curve for thrombin quantification
Ten human thrombin solutions at concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 nM in 25 mM HEPES at pH 7.4 were loaded into the ten sample reservoirs in the thrombochip. A substrate solution containing 420 µM Z-GGR-AMC, 30 mM EDTA in 25 mM HEPES at pH 7.4 was loaded into the reagent reservoirs. The standard curve was constructed by plotting the slope of the recorded fluorescence generation curve in each reaction chamber against the known thrombin concentration of the solution that was loaded to the corresponding sample reservoir.

Reporting summary
Further information on research design is available in the Nature Research Reporting Summary linked to this paper. Data availability The 3D design files of the MCR-CC chips are included as part of this article, and are also available for download along with more images and descriptions at https://www.thingiverse.com/junckerlab/collections/microfluidic-chain-reaction-of-structurally-programmed-capillary-flow-events. Data not presented in the article or supplementary material will be available upon request. Source data are provided with this paper.