Novel gravimetric measurement technique for quantitative volume calibration in the sub-microliter range

13.12.2012

Liang D, Steinert C, Bammesberger S, Tanguy L, Ernst A, Zengerle R, Koltay P

Meas. Sci. Technol. 24 (2013) 025301 (10pp)

Meas. Sci. Technol.          online article

We present a novel measurement method based on the gravimetric principles adapted from the ASTM E542 and ISO 4787 standards for quantitative volume determination in the sub-microliter range. Such a method is particularly important for the calibration of non-contact micro dispensers as well as other microfluidic devices. The novel method is based on the linear regression analysis of continuously monitored gravimetric results and therefore is referred to as ‘gravimetric regression method (GRM)’. A full assessment of the measurement uncertainty of GRM is presented and results in a standard measurement uncertainty around 6 nl for dosage volumes in the range from 40 nl to 1 ìl.