Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices
07:53

Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices

Published on: April 1, 2016

Understanding wax printing: a simple micropatterning process for paper-based microfluidics.

Emanuel Carrilho1, Andres W Martinez, George M Whitesides

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. emanuel@iqsc.usp.br

Analytical Chemistry
|March 27, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Wax printing offers a simple, low-cost method for creating paper-based microfluidic devices. This technique uses a printer and hot plate to form hydrophobic barriers, defining hydrophilic channels for various applications.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

In vitro blood-brain barrier models for the study of brain shuttle peptide transport.

Advances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.)·2026
Same author

Digitally Coded, Screen-Printed Flexible Metasurfaces for Tunable Electromagnetic Responses.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026
Same author

Advanced microfluidic and 3D cell culture platforms for modeling vascularization in diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review of translational challenges and perspectives.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Nanoyeast-based impedimetric biosensor with mutated single chain antigen-binding fragment anchoring for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Biomedical microdevices·2026
Same author

Exploring innovations in cell death for the study and treatment of non-communicable diseases.

Progress in molecular biology and translational science·2025
Same author

Development of a Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device for Myeloperoxidase Detection in Periodontitis.

Dentistry journal·2025

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Microfluidics
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Microfluidic devices are essential for lab-on-a-chip applications.
  • Traditional fabrication methods can be expensive and complex.
  • Paper-based devices offer a low-cost, disposable alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail a simple and inexpensive wax printing method for fabricating paper-based microfluidic devices.
  • To demonstrate the creation of hydrophobic barriers for defining microfluidic structures.
  • To provide a design equation for wax spreading in paper.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a standard printer to deposit wax patterns onto paper.
  • Employing a hot plate to melt and impregnate wax through the paper thickness.

More Related Videos

Microembossing: A Convenient Process for Fabricating Microchannels on Nanocellulose Paper-Based Microfluidics
03:58

Microembossing: A Convenient Process for Fabricating Microchannels on Nanocellulose Paper-Based Microfluidics

Published on: October 6, 2023

Scalable Stamp Printing and Fabrication of Hemiwicking Surfaces
06:16

Scalable Stamp Printing and Fabrication of Hemiwicking Surfaces

Published on: December 18, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices
07:53

Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices

Published on: April 1, 2016

Microembossing: A Convenient Process for Fabricating Microchannels on Nanocellulose Paper-Based Microfluidics
03:58

Microembossing: A Convenient Process for Fabricating Microchannels on Nanocellulose Paper-Based Microfluidics

Published on: October 6, 2023

Scalable Stamp Printing and Fabrication of Hemiwicking Surfaces
06:16

Scalable Stamp Printing and Fabrication of Hemiwicking Surfaces

Published on: December 18, 2018

  • Developing a mathematical equation to predict wax spreading and barrier formation.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully created complete hydrophobic barriers in paper.
    • Fabricated functional hydrophilic channels, fluid reservoirs, and reaction zones.
    • Validated the design equation for predictable device construction.

    Conclusions:

    • Wax printing is a viable, cost-effective technique for rapid prototyping of paper microfluidic devices.
    • The described method enables the creation of precise hydrophobic barriers essential for fluid control.
    • The design equation facilitates the straightforward fabrication of customized paper-based analytical devices.