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Low cost lab-on-a-chip prototyping with a consumer grade 3D printer.
Germán Comina1, Anke Suska, Daniel Filippini
1Optical Devices Laboratory - Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping 58183, Sweden. danfi@ifm.liu.se.
Lab on a Chip
|June 17, 2014
Summary
This study demonstrates versatile, low-cost 3D printed lab-on-a-chip devices using a consumer-grade printer. These devices support diverse functions for chemical sensing and micromixing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices offer miniaturized platforms for various applications.
- Traditional LOC fabrication can be expensive and time-consuming.
- Consumer-grade 3D printing offers potential for accessible microfluidic device fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate versatile prototyping of 3D printed LOC devices.
- To showcase the use of a consumer-grade 3D printer for LOC fabrication.
- To validate the performance of 3D printed LOCs in chemical sensing and micromixing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a consumer-grade 3D printer for device fabrication.
- Designed LOCs with integrated features for sample delivery, transport, functionalization, and readout.
- Implemented established principles for chemical sensing and micromixing applications.
Main Results:
- Successfully prototyped versatile 3D printed LOC devices.
- Achieved device costs as low as $0.57 per unit.
- Demonstrated functionality in chemical sensing and micromixing experiments.
Conclusions:
- Consumer-grade 3D printing enables versatile and cost-effective LOC prototyping.
- 3D printed LOCs can be reliably used for chemical sensing and micromixing.
- This approach democratizes access to microfluidic technologies.
