Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold
The fabrication of high-performance microscale devices in substrates with optimal material properties while keeping costs low and maintaining the flexibility to rapidly prototype new designs remains an ongoing challenge in the microfluidics field. To this end, we have fabricated a micro free-flow el...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/9/1728 |
| _version_ | 1797578789479251968 |
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| author | Matthew B. LeMon Cecilia C. Douma Gretchen S. Burke Michael T. Bowser |
| author_facet | Matthew B. LeMon Cecilia C. Douma Gretchen S. Burke Michael T. Bowser |
| author_sort | Matthew B. LeMon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The fabrication of high-performance microscale devices in substrates with optimal material properties while keeping costs low and maintaining the flexibility to rapidly prototype new designs remains an ongoing challenge in the microfluidics field. To this end, we have fabricated a micro free-flow electrophoresis (µFFE) device in cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) via hot embossing using a PolyJet 3D-printed master mold. A room-temperature cyclohexane vapor bath was used to clarify the device and facilitate solvent-assisted thermal bonding to fully enclose the channels. Device profiling showed 55 µm deep channels with no detectable feature degradation due to solvent exposure. Baseline separation of fluorescein, rhodamine 110, and rhodamine 123, was achieved at 150 V. Limits of detection for these fluorophores were 2 nM, 1 nM, and 10 nM, respectively, and were comparable to previously reported values for glass and 3D-printed devices. Using PolyJet 3D printing in conjunction with hot embossing, the full design cycle, from initial design to production of fully functional COC µFFE devices, could be completed in as little as 6 days without the need for specialized clean room facilities. Replicate COC µFFE devices could be produced from an existing embossing mold in as little as two hours. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:26:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c1d54acca4b47d6b4256c2c61015691 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:26:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c1d54acca4b47d6b4256c2c610156912023-11-19T11:59:49ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2023-09-01149172810.3390/mi14091728Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master MoldMatthew B. LeMon0Cecilia C. Douma1Gretchen S. Burke2Michael T. Bowser3Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USAThe fabrication of high-performance microscale devices in substrates with optimal material properties while keeping costs low and maintaining the flexibility to rapidly prototype new designs remains an ongoing challenge in the microfluidics field. To this end, we have fabricated a micro free-flow electrophoresis (µFFE) device in cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) via hot embossing using a PolyJet 3D-printed master mold. A room-temperature cyclohexane vapor bath was used to clarify the device and facilitate solvent-assisted thermal bonding to fully enclose the channels. Device profiling showed 55 µm deep channels with no detectable feature degradation due to solvent exposure. Baseline separation of fluorescein, rhodamine 110, and rhodamine 123, was achieved at 150 V. Limits of detection for these fluorophores were 2 nM, 1 nM, and 10 nM, respectively, and were comparable to previously reported values for glass and 3D-printed devices. Using PolyJet 3D printing in conjunction with hot embossing, the full design cycle, from initial design to production of fully functional COC µFFE devices, could be completed in as little as 6 days without the need for specialized clean room facilities. Replicate COC µFFE devices could be produced from an existing embossing mold in as little as two hours.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/9/1728micro free-flow electrophoresismicrofluidicscyclic olefin copolymerhot embossing3D printing |
| spellingShingle | Matthew B. LeMon Cecilia C. Douma Gretchen S. Burke Michael T. Bowser Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold Micromachines micro free-flow electrophoresis microfluidics cyclic olefin copolymer hot embossing 3D printing |
| title | Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold |
| title_full | Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold |
| title_fullStr | Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold |
| title_short | Fabrication of µFFE Devices in COC via Hot Embossing with a 3D-Printed Master Mold |
| title_sort | fabrication of µffe devices in coc via hot embossing with a 3d printed master mold |
| topic | micro free-flow electrophoresis microfluidics cyclic olefin copolymer hot embossing 3D printing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/9/1728 |
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