Driving flows in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices with a cholinium based poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel

•Manuscript describes a highly effective fluid flow manipulation method for uPADs.•The hydrogel was successfully integrated in the uPADs.•Cholinium based crosslinked poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel were used as negative pumps.•These hydrogel passive pumps have the highest water retention capacity demonstrated in paper devices.•The hydrogel has excellent control on directing the fluid flow on the uPADs.