Flow control by superposition of integrated non-linear valves

The present disclosure relates to a valve assembly using at least two pressure- sensitive leaky check valves having a non-linear flow-rate versus pressure-drop relation. The disclosure further relates to a method for optimizing such a valve assembly, the method being capable of determining a minimum required number of such valves and outputting the material parameters of each valve. The disclosed valve assembly and method allows for arbitrary flow control, which has numerous applications such as within drug delivery, food processing, and industrial flow control. The presently disclosed valve assembly is completely passive, i.e. there is no need for a feedback network. The flow control is achieved using only fluid-structure interactions.