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Digital Manufacturing of Functional Ready-to-Use Microfluidic Systems
Vahid Karamzadeh1,2, Ahmad Sohrabi-Kashani1,2, Molly Shen1,2
1Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G1, Canada.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|August 2, 2023
Summary
Additive digital manufacturing enables the low-cost, rapid production of fully functional, monolithic capillaric circuits (CCs). This breakthrough in 3D printing microfluidics eliminates the need for external pumps and transient surface treatments.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Additive Manufacturing
- Materials Science
Background:
- Digital manufacturing (DM) has potential for microfluidics but faces challenges with resolution and peripheral dependence.
- Capillaric circuits (CCs) are self-contained microfluidic systems relying on tailored hydrophilicity.
- Current CC hydrophilization methods (plasma treatment) are transient, irreproducible, and limit design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the additive DM of monolithic, intrinsically hydrophilic CCs using 3D printing.
- To introduce novel designs for capillary valves and bubble-free conduits.
- To demonstrate the integration of capillary pumps within the CC structure.
Main Methods:
- 3D printing of CCs using a poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate ink with hydrophilic acrylic acid crosslinkers.
- Development of a robust capillary valve and circular-section embedded conduits.
- Integration of a porous gyroid structure for an embedded capillary pump.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated monolithic, fully functional, and intrinsically hydrophilic CCs.
- Demonstrated a new capillary valve design and bubble-free conduits.
- Achieved elimination of external pumps by embedding capillary pump structures.
- Illustrated CC functionality with an immunoassay.
Conclusions:
- Additive DM offers a rapid (under 30 min), low-cost, and distributed method for producing ready-to-use microfluidic systems.
- Monolithic CCs with embedded capillary pumps and robust valves are now feasible.
- This approach significantly advances the accessibility and applicability of microfluidic devices.
