SU-8 as a material for lab-on-a-chip-based mass spectrometry

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microfabrication

Background:

• Chip-based mass spectrometry (MS) aims for accessible, autonomous analytical devices.
• Miniaturization requires advanced materials compatible with microfabrication techniques.
• SU-8, an epoxy-based negative resist, offers unique properties for microfluidic device fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application and potential of SU-8 in microchip-based mass spectrometry.
• To highlight SU-8's suitability for fabricating microfluidic components in lab-on-a-chip MS.
• To assess SU-8's impact on various stages of chip-based MS.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on SU-8 applications in microfabrication for MS.
• Analysis of SU-8 properties relevant to microfluidic channel and slot formation.
• Evaluation of SU-8 compatibility with MS processes (pre-treatment, ionization, detection).

Main Results:

• SU-8 enables the creation of high-aspect-ratio, mechanically rigid microstructures.
• Its wide thickness range supports diverse microfluidic designs for lab-on-a-chip MS.
• SU-8 demonstrates chemical resistance and biological compatibility for MS applications.

Conclusions:

• SU-8 is a highly versatile material for advancing chip-based mass spectrometry.
• Its properties are crucial for fabricating integrated microfluidic systems for MS.
• SU-8 holds significant potential for the future of miniaturized, autonomous MS devices.