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Ordered surface crack patterns in situ formed under confinement on fluidic microchannel boundaries in
Yang Bu1, Sheng Ni1, Levent Yobas2
1Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China. eelyobas@ust.hk.
Lab on a Chip
|January 30, 2021
Summary
Ordered surface cracks were found in microfluidic devices made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). These cracks form during fabrication and change based on the device design and material properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Microfluidic devices are widely used in biological and chemical research.
- Fabrication of microfluidic devices often involves polymers like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
- Surface properties and structural integrity are critical for microfluidic device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the discovery of ordered surface crack patterns in PDMS microfluidic channels.
- To investigate the formation mechanism and influencing factors of these cracks.
- To characterize the relationship between crack patterns, fluidic layout, and material compliance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized soft lithography techniques to fabricate PDMS microfluidic devices.
- Applied compression following an oxygen plasma treatment during the fabrication process.
- Employed fluorescent labeling for visualization of surface crack patterns.
- Analyzed crack morphology in relation to microfluidic channel design and PDMS material properties.
Main Results:
- Discovered ordered surface crack patterns forming in situ within PDMS microfluidic channels and chambers.
- Demonstrated that crack formation is linked to compressive stress under confinement during fabrication.
- Observed that crack patterns are dependent on the microfluidic layout and the elastic modulus of the PDMS material.
- Confirmed that cracks are only visible after fluorescent labeling.
Conclusions:
- Ordered surface cracks are an inherent phenomenon in PDMS microfluidics fabricated under specific conditions.
- The observed crack patterns are predictable and influenced by design and material parameters.
- Understanding and controlling these cracks is important for optimizing microfluidic device performance and reliability.
