(A) Punch card programmable microfluidic system comprising of a paper punch card tape, plug-in microfluidic chip and a mechanical reader/actuator (inset depicts hand-crank powered device in action).

<p>The punched tape moves through the device while being read sequentially. (B, C, D) Schematic depiction of device operation including (B) pumping achieved by rotating gear teeth interacting with a collapsible channel, (C) on-demand droplet generator using an impact-based jet formation (D) normally-closed microfluidic valves based on cantilever pins pushed against a chip. (E) All components including paper tape, mechanical reader/actuator, microfluidic chip and a hole-puncher for encoding the paper tape. (F) Top-down micrograph of the device with 15 active channels filled with colored fluids.