Microfluidic experiments often require precise flow control, but commercial pumps and pressure regulators are costly and can limit accessibility. We introduce a calibration-based strategy that links channel geometry with predictable relationships between pressure drop (Δp) and flow rate (Q), enabling stable operation of microfluidic systems using only pressurized syringes and inexpensive tubing. Silicon-glass microfluidic chips with systematically varied channel dimensions were fabricated and tested to quantify how width, depth, and length affect hydrodynamic resistance. The results revealed consistent geometry-dependent scaling of Δp and Q, with experimental values closely matching theoretical predictions. This calibration framework allows researchers to pre-determine safe operating conditions for syringe-driven flow, preventing chip failure and connector leakage while providing reliable flow control without specialized equipment. Beyond lowering system cost, the method highlights how chip geometry dictates achievable flow regimes, offering a design tool for laboratories where commercial pumps are unavailable.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mendel University in Brno Zemědělská 1 Brno 613 00 Czech Republic

Department of Microelectronics Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Brno University of Technology Technická 3058 10 Brno 616 00 Czech Republic

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Systems for Aerospace School of Mechanical Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 Shaanxi People's Republic of China

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