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Teflon films for chemically-inert microfluidic valves and pumps
William H Grover1, Marcio G von Muhlen, Scott R Manalis
1Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Lab on a Chip
|May 24, 2008
Summary
Chemically-inert Teflon microfluidic valves and pumps were fabricated using simple, commercially-available fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) films. These FEP Teflon devices offer a robust alternative to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for diverse lab-on-a-chip applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in microfluidic devices but has limited chemical compatibility.
- Alternative materials are needed for lab-on-a-chip applications involving harsh chemicals.
- Previous Teflon-based microfluidic components required complex fabrication processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple fabrication method for chemically-inert microfluidic valves and pumps.
- To utilize commercially-available fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) Teflon films as a PDMS alternative.
- To enable lab-on-a-chip research with a broader range of chemical compatibility.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of monolithic membrane valves and pumps in glass microfluidic devices.
- Utilizing featureless fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) Teflon films bonded between etched glass wafers.
- Modeling structures after existing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane devices.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated chemically-inert Teflon microfluidic valves and pumps.
- Demonstrated functionality similar to PDMS counterparts.
- Confirmed resistance to a vast array of chemicals and sustained performance over extended use.
Conclusions:
- Commercially-available FEP Teflon films provide a simple and effective alternative to PDMS for microfluidic components.
- These FEP Teflon valves and pumps are suitable for lab-on-a-chip applications with challenging chemistries.
- The developed method facilitates broader research in microfluidics by overcoming material limitations.
