Robust polymer microfluidic device fabrication via contact liquid photolithographic polymerization (CLiPP)

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional microfluidic device fabrication using silicon, glass, or elastomers faces limitations.
• These limitations include invariable material properties, restricted surface modification, and challenges in creating high aspect ratio structures.
• These drawbacks hinder diverse applications and increase fabrication costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce Contact Liquid Photolithographic Polymerization (CLiPP) as an advanced microfabrication technique.
• Highlight CLiPP's unique advantages for creating polymeric microdevices.
• Demonstrate the capabilities and applications of CLiPP.

Main Methods:

• CLiPP leverages living radical photopolymerization chemistry for microfabrication.
• This method allows for facile construction of three-dimensional devices with covalently-adhered layers.
• The procedure for fabricating devices using CLiPP is detailed.

Main Results:

• CLiPP enables surface modification of device components.
• Fabrication of high aspect ratio structures from various materials is achieved.
• The technology facilitates the construction of complex, multi-layered polymeric microdevices.

Conclusions:

• CLiPP presents a significant advancement in polymeric microdevice fabrication.
• The method overcomes limitations of conventional microfabrication techniques.
• CLiPP offers a versatile and cost-effective approach for creating advanced microdevices.