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Printed circuit technology for fabrication of plastic-based microfluidic devices
Arjun P Sudarsan1, Victor M Ugaz
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Analytical Chemistry
|May 29, 2004
Summary
This study introduces a rapid and cost-effective method for creating microfluidic master molds using printed circuit board technology. This technique simplifies microfluidic device fabrication, enabling faster development cycles for research and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Plastic microfluidic devices offer fabrication advantages but rely on slow master mold production.
- Conventional master mold fabrication uses photolithography, requiring specialized equipment and time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a faster, simpler, and more accessible method for fabricating microfluidic master molds.
- To demonstrate the utility of printed circuit board technology for microfluidic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photosensitized copper clad circuit boards and standard printed circuit technology to create master molds.
- Employed soft lithography to replicate master molds into plastic microfluidic devices.
- Investigated control over channel dimensions (heights 15-120 µm, widths down to 50 µm).
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated microfluidic master molds in approximately 30 minutes without cleanroom facilities.
- Achieved precise control over channel heights and reproducible channel widths.
- Produced plastic microfluidic devices suitable for DNA electrophoresis and mixing studies.
Conclusions:
- Printed circuit board technology provides a rapid, inexpensive, and scalable alternative for microfluidic master mold fabrication.
- This simplified approach accelerates the design-build-test cycle for microfluidic systems.
- The fabricated microfluidic devices demonstrate potential for various biological and chemical analyses.