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Modifying Wicking Speeds in Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices by Laser-Etching.
Brent Kalish1, Mick Kyle Tan1, Hideaki Tsutsui1,2,3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Micromachines
|August 23, 2020
Summary
Laser etching paper microfluidic devices precisely controls fluid wicking speeds. This simple, low-cost method enhances sequential reagent delivery for point-of-care diagnostics without sample loss due to evaporation.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Paper-based microfluidic devices offer low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic solutions.
- Complex assays require precise sequential fluid delivery, a challenge in current paper devices.
- Existing flow control methods often rely on delays, risking sample evaporation and loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CO2 laser etching as a novel method for controlling fluid wicking speeds in paper microfluidic devices.
- To demonstrate the ability to precisely tune fluid flow rates for improved sequential reagent delivery.
- To offer a simple, integrated solution for enhanced flow control in paper-based diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a CO2 laser to uniformly etch the surface of paper substrates.
- Varied etching parameters (single-sided, double-sided, grooved patterns) to modify wicking characteristics.
- Investigated the effect of sealing etched channels with packing tape on flow rates.
Main Results:
- Laser etching successfully modified wicking speeds, achieving increases up to 1.1x and decreases down to 0.9x.
- Double-sided etching resulted in 1.3x faster wicking, while grooved channels achieved 1.9x faster wicking.
- Sealed, heavily etched channels exhibited over 13x faster wicking compared to unetched controls.
Conclusions:
- CO2 laser etching provides a versatile and effective method for precise flow control in paper microfluidic devices.
- This technique enables tailored sequential fluid delivery without altering device geometry or requiring additional materials.
- Laser etching offers a simple, scalable solution to overcome limitations in paper-based diagnostic platforms, enhancing their utility for point-of-care applications.
