Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors
The common method for producing casting molds for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips is standard photolithography. This technique offers high resolution from hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers. However, this mold fabrication method is costly, time-consuming, and might requ...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Sci |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/4/4/36 |
| _version_ | 1827637011986513920 |
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| author | Josef Vogt Katrin Rosenthal |
| author_facet | Josef Vogt Katrin Rosenthal |
| author_sort | Josef Vogt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The common method for producing casting molds for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips is standard photolithography. This technique offers high resolution from hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers. However, this mold fabrication method is costly, time-consuming, and might require clean room facilities. Additionally, there is a need for non-micromechanics experts, who do not have specialized equipment to easily and quickly prototype chips themselves. Simple, so-called, makerspace technologies are increasingly being explored as alternatives that have potential to enable anyone to fabricate microfluidic structures. We therefore tested simple fabrication methods for a PDMS-based microfluidic device. On the one hand, channels were replicated from capillaries and tape. On the other hand, different mold fabrication methods, namely laser cutting, fused layer 3D printing, stereolithographic 3D printing, and computer numerical control (CNC) milling, were validated in terms of machine accuracy and tightness. Most of these methods are already known, but the incorporation and retention of particles with sizes in the micrometer range have been less investigated. We therefore tested two different types of particles, which are actually common carriers for the immobilization of enzymes, so that the resulting reactor could ultimately be used as a microfluidic bioreactor. Furthermore, CNC milling provide the most reliable casting mold fabrication method. After some optimization steps with regard to manufacturing settings and post-processing polishing, the chips were tested for the retention of two different particle types (spherical and non-spherical particles). In this way, we successfully tested the obtained PDMS-based microfluidic chips for their potential applicability as (bio)reactors with enzyme immobilization carrier beads. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:53:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54a8de0e8ed849fe9cfb1111faecb1dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2413-4155 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:53:28Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sci |
| spelling | doaj.art-54a8de0e8ed849fe9cfb1111faecb1dc2023-11-24T17:51:09ZengMDPI AGSci2413-41552022-09-01443610.3390/sci4040036Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)ReactorsJosef Vogt0Katrin Rosenthal1Chair for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, GermanyChair for Bioprocess Engineering, Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, TU Dortmund University, D-44227 Dortmund, GermanyThe common method for producing casting molds for the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips is standard photolithography. This technique offers high resolution from hundreds of nanometers to a few micrometers. However, this mold fabrication method is costly, time-consuming, and might require clean room facilities. Additionally, there is a need for non-micromechanics experts, who do not have specialized equipment to easily and quickly prototype chips themselves. Simple, so-called, makerspace technologies are increasingly being explored as alternatives that have potential to enable anyone to fabricate microfluidic structures. We therefore tested simple fabrication methods for a PDMS-based microfluidic device. On the one hand, channels were replicated from capillaries and tape. On the other hand, different mold fabrication methods, namely laser cutting, fused layer 3D printing, stereolithographic 3D printing, and computer numerical control (CNC) milling, were validated in terms of machine accuracy and tightness. Most of these methods are already known, but the incorporation and retention of particles with sizes in the micrometer range have been less investigated. We therefore tested two different types of particles, which are actually common carriers for the immobilization of enzymes, so that the resulting reactor could ultimately be used as a microfluidic bioreactor. Furthermore, CNC milling provide the most reliable casting mold fabrication method. After some optimization steps with regard to manufacturing settings and post-processing polishing, the chips were tested for the retention of two different particle types (spherical and non-spherical particles). In this way, we successfully tested the obtained PDMS-based microfluidic chips for their potential applicability as (bio)reactors with enzyme immobilization carrier beads.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/4/4/36on-chip biotransformationenzymebiocatalysismicrofluidicssoft lithographyPDMS |
| spellingShingle | Josef Vogt Katrin Rosenthal Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors Sci on-chip biotransformation enzyme biocatalysis microfluidics soft lithography PDMS |
| title | Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors |
| title_full | Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors |
| title_fullStr | Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors |
| title_short | Validation of Easy Fabrication Methods for PDMS-Based Microfluidic (Bio)Reactors |
| title_sort | validation of easy fabrication methods for pdms based microfluidic bio reactors |
| topic | on-chip biotransformation enzyme biocatalysis microfluidics soft lithography PDMS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/4/4/36 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josefvogt validationofeasyfabricationmethodsforpdmsbasedmicrofluidicbioreactors AT katrinrosenthal validationofeasyfabricationmethodsforpdmsbasedmicrofluidicbioreactors |