Issue 2, 2013

Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility

Abstract

This paper describes a general scheme to fabricate microchannels from curable polymers on a laboratory benchtop. Using the scheme described here, benchtop fabrication of SU-8 microfluidic systems was demonstrated for the first time, and their compatibility with organic solvents was demonstrated. The fabrication process has three major stages: 1) transferring patterns of microchannels to polymer films by molding, 2) releasing the patterned film and creating inlets and outlets for fluids, and 3) sealing two films together to create a closed channel system. Addition of a PDMS slab supporting the polymer film provided structural integrity during and after fabrication, allowing manipulation of the polymer films without fracturing or deformation. SU-8 channels fabricated according to this scheme exhibited solvent compatibility against continuous exposure to acetone and ethylacetate, which are incompatible with native PDMS. Using the SU-8 channels, continuous generation of droplets of ethylacetate, and templated synthesis of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, both with stable size, were demonstrated continuously over 24 h, and at intervals over 75 days.

Graphical abstract: Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
03 Aug 2012
Accepted
05 Nov 2012
First published
07 Nov 2012

Lab Chip, 2013,13, 252-259

Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility

M. Hashimoto, R. Langer and D. S. Kohane, Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 252 DOI: 10.1039/C2LC40888K

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