Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025
12:04
Microfluidic Picoliter Bioreactor for Microbial Single-cell Analysis: Fabrication, System Setup, and Operation
Published on: December 6, 2013
12.6K
Microfluidic devices manufacturing with a stereolithographic printer for biological applications
Bastián Carnero1, Carmen Bao-Varela1, Ana Isabel Gómez-Varela1
1Photonics4Life Research Group, Applied Physics Department, Facultade de Física and Facultade de Óptica e Optometría, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Materials Science & Engineering. C, Materials for Biological Applications
|September 28, 2021
Summary
Low force stereolithography enables microfluidic device fabrication. Amber resin demonstrated excellent biocompatibility for human umbilical vein endothelial cell culture, showing potential for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Microfluidics and Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Stereolithography (SLA) offers high-resolution 3D printing for microfluidics, simplifying conventional methods.
- Low force SLA potential in microfluidics remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate low force SLA using a Form 3B printer for microfluidic fabrication.
- To characterize seven printing resins for microchannel and pillar manufacturing.
- To assess resin biocompatibility for biological applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microchannels and pillars using a Form 3B printer with seven resins.
- Characterization via optical, confocal, and SEM microscopy, and EDX analysis.
- Biocompatibility testing using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC).
Main Results:
- Unobstructed internal channels achieved for diameters >500 μm and angles >60°.
- Superficial channels fabricated with perpendicular orientation for optimal resin evacuation.
- Amber resin demonstrated superior HUVEC adhesion, growth, and cell culture progression.
Conclusions:
- Low force SLA is viable for microfluidic component fabrication.
- Resin selection is critical for achieving desired structural fidelity and topological accuracy.
- Amber resin exhibits promising biocompatibility for HUVEC-based microfluidic devices.
