One-step polymer screen-printing for microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) fabrication

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) offer a low-cost platform for diagnostics.
• Traditional μPAD fabrication methods can be complex and expensive.
• There is a need for simple, reproducible, and scalable fabrication techniques for μPADs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, low-cost, one-step fabrication method for μPADs.
• To investigate the use of polystyrene and patterned screen printing for μPAD fabrication.
• To demonstrate the application of fabricated μPADs in chemical and biological analyses.

Main Methods:

• A novel screen-printing technique using polystyrene solution was employed.
• Polystyrene concentration and paper types were optimized for device fabrication.
• The method was validated by fabricating devices for hydrogen peroxide and antioxidant activity assays.

Main Results:

• The fabrication method achieved high reproducibility with %RSD of 1.12-2.54%.
• Hydrophilic channel and hydrophobic barrier dimensions were precisely controlled (670 ± 50 μm and 380 ± 40 μm).
• Fabricated μPADs accurately analyzed hydrogen peroxide in real samples and demonstrated antioxidant activity via DPPH assay.

Conclusions:

• The polymer screen-printing method is a viable, cost-effective alternative for μPAD fabrication.
• This technique allows for precise control over device dimensions and high reproducibility.
• The developed μPADs show promise for point-of-care diagnostics and biochemical assays.