Characteristics of Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices Fabricated by Four Different Methods

We report on the effects of fabrication methods, photolithography, wax printing, screen printing, and craft cutting, on selected properties of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs): cost, fabrication precision, wicking rate, and analytical accuracy. Photolithography requires numerous fabrication steps, and an oxygen plasma treatment is necessary when using an aqueous solution. Although the boundary between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas in the μPAD is sharpest, the obtained K-scale intensity in measuring of protein concentrations is lower than those of the devices by other methods. Wax printing offers the simplest and fastest fabrication, although solution leakage measures should be taken to improve the wicking rate and to prevent cross-contamination. Screen printing also offers easy fabrication. The screen-printed μPAD has a good wicking performance and shows a high detection intensity. Craft cutting allows automated fabrication of many μPADs at once. The craft cut μPAD has the fastest wicking rate among the four μPADs due to bare cellulose fibers. We consider that the detection intensity of this μPAD can be raised by optimizing the evaporation rate.