Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
07:51
High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods
Published on: December 23, 2013
Integration of multiple components in polystyrene-based microfluidic devices part I: fabrication and characterization
Alicia S Johnson1, Kari B Anderson, Stephen T Halpin
1Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, USA.
The Analyst
|November 3, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost method to create polystyrene microfluidic devices by melting polystyrene against PDMS molds. These devices enable high-throughput analysis and integrated electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in microfluidics, but polystyrene offers advantages in certain applications.
- Integrating microfluidic devices with standard laboratory equipment is crucial for high-throughput analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple, cost-effective method for fabricating polystyrene-based microfluidic devices.
- To demonstrate the integration of these devices with off-chip components for sample delivery and detection.
- To showcase the application of these devices in microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.
Main Methods:
- Melting polystyrene (from Petri dishes or powder) against PDMS molds or electrode materials.
- Incorporating microchannels and embedding electrodes (palladium and carbon-fiber) into polystyrene devices.
- Sealing polystyrene devices with PDMS microchannels for electrophoretic separation and detection.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of polystyrene microfluidic devices with integrated microchannels and electrodes.
- Demonstrated high-throughput screening capabilities through integration with optical plate readers and pipettes.
- Achieved electrophoretic separation and amperometric detection of analytes like dopamine and epinephrine.
Conclusions:
- The developed polystyrene fabrication method is simple, inexpensive, and versatile.
- These devices offer a viable alternative to PDMS microchips, with comparable optical properties.
- The foundation is laid for advanced on-chip cellular analysis in subsequent studies.
