Green microfluidic devices made of corn proteins

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microfluidics Engineering
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Microfluidic devices are essential tools in various scientific fields, but often rely on petroleum-based polymers.
• There is a growing need for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives in microfluidic device fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel green microfluidic device using zein, a biopolymer derived from corn.
• To evaluate the fabrication, bonding, and performance of zein-based microfluidic devices for potential agricultural applications.

Main Methods:

• Zein films with microfluidic features were fabricated using soft lithography and stereo lithography.
• Zein films were bonded to glass slides and other zein films via ethanol vapor deposition.
• Microfluidic devices were tested for structural integrity under high hydraulic pressure and fluid manipulation capabilities (e.g., mixing).

Main Results:

• Zein-based microfluidic devices demonstrated irreversible bonding with minimal air entrapment and shape distortion.
• Zein-zein and zein-glass devices exhibited sufficient strength for complex designs without leakage under high pressure.
• Zein-glass devices with serpentine mixers successfully generated concentration gradients, demonstrating effective fluid manipulation.

Conclusions:

• Zein is a viable, environmentally friendly biopolymer for fabricating disposable microfluidic devices.
• The ease of fabrication, flexibility, and moldability of zein present attractive manufacturing possibilities.
• Zein-based microfluidics offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers, particularly for agricultural applications.