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Materials Characterization of Stereolithography 3D Printed Polymer to Develop a Self-Driven Microfluidic Device for
Britanny L Stark1,2, Michelle Gamboa1,2, Aibhlin Esparza1,2
1Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME), The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|May 22, 2024
Summary
Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing enables microfluidic device fabrication. While SLA polymers show stable mechanical properties and biocompatibility, surface wettability changes over time, limiting the window for capillary-driven fluid flow applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing is a versatile technique for creating microfluidic devices.
- Limited data exists on the long-term physical, chemical, and biological properties of SLA-printed polymers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize SLA-printed polymers for time-dependent property changes.
- To assess the suitability of SLA for fabricating functional capillary-action microfluidic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR)
- Contact angle measurements
- Tensile and impact testing
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Fluid flow analysis
- Propidium iodide flow cytometry
- MTT assay for cell viability
Main Results:
- SLA polymers exhibit temporally stable mechanical properties and good biocompatibility.
- Surface wettability, measured by contact angle, changes over time.
- A limited post-printing period exists for optimal capillary-based fluid flow.
Conclusions:
- SLA is a feasible high-throughput manufacturing method for capillary action microfluidic devices.
- Time-dependent surface wettability is a critical factor for device functionality.
- Further research is needed to optimize SLA post-processing for microfluidic applications.
