Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Thermal Measurement Techniques in Analytical Microfluidic Devices
Published on: June 3, 2015
Integrated 3D printed heaters for microfluidic applications: Ammonium analysis within environmental water
Elisenda Fornells1, Eoin Murray2, Sidra Waheed3
1ARC Training Centre for Portable Analytical Separation Technologies (ASTech), School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7001, Australia; Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7001, Australia.
A novel 3D printed microfluidic reactor with integrated graphene heating enables rapid colorimetric ammonium determination in natural waters. This system offers enhanced temperature control and accuracy for environmental water analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Accurate ammonium determination is crucial for monitoring natural water quality.
- Existing methods for ammonium analysis can be time-consuming or require complex instrumentation.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for miniaturized and efficient chemical analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a 3D printed microfluidic reactor with integrated graphene-based heating for ammonium determination.
- To investigate the performance of different heater coatings (ABS vs. microdiamond-ABS composite) for improved temperature control.
- To demonstrate the application of the developed system for the colorimetric analysis of ammonium in natural water samples.
Main Methods:
- Multi-material 3D printing was used to fabricate a microfluidic reactor with integrated graphene-doped polymer heating elements.
- Electrically insulating layers of ABS and a microdiamond-ABS composite were tested as heater coatings.
- A modified Berthelot reaction was employed for colorimetric ammonium determination within the microfluidic reactor.
- A flow injection analysis system with an LED-photodiode detector was assembled for sample analysis.
- Results were compared against benchtop Ion Chromatography (IC) measurements.
Main Results:
- The graphene-doped polymer heater achieved temperatures up to 120°C.
- The microdiamond-ABS composite exhibited superior thermal conductivity and more uniform heating compared to pure ABS.
- A 5-fold increase in reaction speed was observed for ammonium analysis.
- The system achieved a highest relative error of 11% for environmental samples and 5% for blind standards.
Conclusions:
- A 3D printed microfluidic reactor with integrated graphene heating provides a rapid and accurate platform for ammonium determination.
- The microdiamond-ABS composite enhances temperature control and accuracy in microfluidic heating applications.
- The developed system demonstrates a promising alternative for on-site or field-based water quality monitoring.
