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Multilayer soft lithography of perfluoropolyether based elastomer for microfluidic device fabrication.
Naga Sai Gopi Krishna Devaraju1, Marc Alexander Unger
1Fluidigm Corporation, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. naga.devaraju@fluidigm.com
Lab on a Chip
|April 20, 2011
Summary
New microfluidic devices made from SIFEL, a chemically resistant polymer, offer excellent solvent compatibility. This novel material fabricated using Multilayer Soft Lithography™ (MSL) is ideal for chemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Chemical compatibility of microfluidic devices is crucial for applications like organic synthesis and drug screening.
- Traditional materials may degrade when exposed to various solvents, limiting their utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate microfluidic devices from a novel perfluoropolyether-based polymer, SIFEL X-71 8115.
- To evaluate the chemical resistance and mechanical properties of SIFEL for microfluidic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Multilayer Soft Lithography™ (MSL) technique for fabrication.
- Employed an off-ratio bonding technique to assemble multiple SIFEL layers.
- Performed chemical compatibility tests with organic solvents, acids, and alkalis.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated microfluidic devices from SIFEL X-71 8115.
- SIFEL demonstrated remarkable resistance to a wide range of organic solvents, acids, and alkalis.
- SIFEL MSL valves exhibited mechanical properties comparable to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) valves.
Conclusions:
- SIFEL is a highly chemically resistant elastomeric material suitable for microfluidic device fabrication.
- The MSL technique provides a straightforward method for processing SIFEL.
- SIFEL offers a promising alternative to PDMS for microfluidic applications requiring broad chemical compatibility.
