Cutting Edge Microfluidics: Xurography and a Microwave

Publication date: Available online 6 April 2019Source: Sensors and Actuators B: ChemicalAuthor(s): Nicholas C. Speller, Giorgio G. Morbioli, Michael E. Cato, Thomas P. Cantrell, Erin M. Leydon, Britney E. Schmidt, Amanda M. StocktonAbstractMicrofluidic technologies enable precise fluidic manipulation at the microscale, with applications ranging from inexpensive medical diagnostics to automaton devices for extraterrestrial in situ analysis. However, development of microfluidic tools typically requires high-maintenance infrastructure and resource-intensive development processes, limiting their broad adoption. Furthermore, the development of effective microfluidic tools requires iterative design processes, multiplicatively increasing development time and cost. Rapid prototyping techniques minimize these expenses, accelerating development time and reducing manufacturing cost of microfluidic devices. Here we use the print-and-peel (PAP) technique of xurography to fabricate master molds in conjunction with microwave thermal processing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to rapidly fabricate PDMS-based microfluidics. Three types of tape (3 M Blue Platinum, PVC and Kapton Tape) and three types of backing substrates (Soda lime glass, Silicon, Ceramic glass) were employed, enabling fabrication of microfluidic devices from design to device in as little as five minutes. Minimum feature widths of ˜200 µm and feature heights of ˜60 µm were determined. Proof-of-concept devices made usi...

Source: Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical - April 6, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research