Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Electrochemical behavior and biocompatibility of TiO<sub>2</sub>@C core-shell NWs deposited by PECVD for cellular interface application.

RSC advances·2025
Same author

Displacement Sensing Using Bimodal Resonance in Over-Coupled Inductors.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Maker communities and the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of Thingiverse's response to supply shortages.

Royal Society open science·2023
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation
09:37

Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation

Published on: May 12, 2008

12.0K

Negligible-cost microfluidic device fabrication using 3D-printed interconnecting channel scaffolds.

Harry Felton1, Robert Hughes1, Andrea Diaz-Gaxiola2,3

  • 1Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, CAME School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Plos One
|February 3, 2021
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a low-cost, open-source method for creating microfluidic devices using 3D-printed scaffolds. This rapid prototyping technique enables affordable lab-on-a-chip diagnostics and microfluidics research globally.

More Related Videos

Interlinked Macroporous 3D Scaffolds from Microgel Rods
07:32

Interlinked Macroporous 3D Scaffolds from Microgel Rods

Published on: June 16, 2022

2.4K
Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices
06:21

Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

Published on: January 25, 2021

3.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation
09:37

Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation

Published on: May 12, 2008

12.0K
Interlinked Macroporous 3D Scaffolds from Microgel Rods
07:32

Interlinked Macroporous 3D Scaffolds from Microgel Rods

Published on: June 16, 2022

2.4K
Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices
06:21

Design and Development of a Three-Dimensionally Printed Microscope Mask Alignment Adapter for the Fabrication of Multilayer Microfluidic Devices

Published on: January 25, 2021

3.2K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Engineering
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Microfluidic devices are crucial for diagnostics and research but often require expensive fabrication.
  • Existing methods for creating microfluidic devices can be complex and inaccessible.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, low-cost, and open-source process for rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices.
  • To demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of using 3D-printed scaffolds for microfluidic fabrication.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Material Extrusion (MEX) 3D printers to create interconnecting microchannel scaffolds.
  • Embedded 3D-printed scaffolds in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to create microfluidic channels.
  • Characterized the morphology and performance of PDMS microchannels under typical working pressures.

Main Results:

  • Achieved a minimum channel cross-section of 100x100 μm using standard MEX 3D printers.
  • Fabricated customisable microfluidic systems without specialized equipment.
  • Demonstrated functional microfluidic devices, including a fluid mixer and a droplet generator.

Conclusions:

  • The developed process offers a negligible-cost and open-source solution for microfluidic device prototyping.
  • This technique significantly lowers the barrier for microfluidics research and education.
  • Enables the rapid development of affordable point-of-care lab-on-a-chip diagnostic technologies worldwide.