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High Throughput Microfluidic Rapid and Low Cost Prototyping Packaging Methods
Published on: December 23, 2013
Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility
Michinao Hashimoto1, Robert Langer, Daniel S Kohane
1Laboratory for Biomaterials and Drug Delivery, Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. michinao@mit.edu
Lab on a Chip
|November 30, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a novel benchtop fabrication method for SU-8 microfluidic systems. This technique enables the creation of microchannels compatible with organic solvents, overcoming limitations of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Microfluidic devices are crucial for various applications but often face limitations with solvent compatibility.
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a common material for microfluidics, but it swells and degrades in the presence of many organic solvents.
- Developing microfabrication techniques that yield solvent-resistant microchannels is essential for expanding microfluidic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a generalizable scheme for fabricating microchannels from curable polymers on a laboratory benchtop.
- To demonstrate the first-time benchtop fabrication of SU-8 microfluidic systems.
- To confirm the compatibility of SU-8 microchannels with organic solvents.
Main Methods:
- A three-stage fabrication process involving molding, film release with inlet/outlet creation, and film sealing.
- Incorporation of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab for structural support of the polymer films.
- Utilizing SU-8, a negative photoresist, for microchannel fabrication.
Main Results:
- Successful benchtop fabrication of SU-8 microfluidic systems was achieved.
- The fabricated SU-8 microchannels demonstrated compatibility with continuous exposure to acetone and ethyl acetate.
- Stable generation of ethyl acetate droplets and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles was maintained for extended periods (24 h and 75 days).
Conclusions:
- The described scheme provides a versatile and accessible method for fabricating solvent-resistant microfluidic devices.
- SU-8 microchannels offer a viable alternative to PDMS for applications involving organic solvents.
- This fabrication approach enables long-term, stable microparticle synthesis and droplet generation in organic solvents.
