Stoppera

Stoppera is a term used to describe a class of self-sealing stoppers employed in laboratory glassware and fluidic systems. Unlike conventional corks or rubber stoppers, a stoppera includes an actuation mechanism that can rapidly seal an opening in response to a signal, pressure change, or temperature shift, helping to prevent leaks and contamination.

Most stoppera devices use a compliant elastomer core, typically silicone or fluorosilicone, integrated with an actuation element such as a shape memory alloy coil, an electroactive polymer, or a miniature pneumatic piston. Some designs incorporate sensors to monitor seal integrity and automatically adjust pressure to maintain a reliable seal.

In practice, a stoppera is inserted into the neck of a vessel just like a conventional stopper. When triggered, the seal expands to fill the opening and can be reset after use. The devices are sized to standard glassware and microfluidic ports.

Applications include chemical synthesis and workups, bioprocessing and sterile workflows, microfluidic devices, and test rigs in aerospace and automotive research where rapid, reliable sealing is required.

The concept arose with the broader development of smart labware and microfluidics in the late 1990s and 2000s. Commercial offerings vary by manufacturer, and the exact definition of stoppera may differ across sources. The term is not universally standardized.