Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser
For normal operations, microfluidic devices typically require an external source of pressure to deliver fluid flow through the microchannel. This requirement limits their use for benchtop research activities in a controlled static environment. To exploit the full potential of the miniaturization and...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/2/324 |
| _version_ | 1797619264465666048 |
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| author | Thana Thaweeskulchai Albert Schulte |
| author_facet | Thana Thaweeskulchai Albert Schulte |
| author_sort | Thana Thaweeskulchai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | For normal operations, microfluidic devices typically require an external source of pressure to deliver fluid flow through the microchannel. This requirement limits their use for benchtop research activities in a controlled static environment. To exploit the full potential of the miniaturization and portability of microfluidic platforms, passively driven capillary microfluidic devices have been developed to completely remove the need for an external pressure source. Capillary microfluidics can be designed to perform complex tasks by designing individual components of the device. These components, such as the stop valve and trigger valve, operate through changes in microchannel dimensions and aspect ratios. A direct, maskless fabrication protocol that allows the precise fabrication of microchannels and other microfluidic components is introduced here. A diode laser and polyimide tape on a PMMA substrate are the only components needed to start fabrication. By varying the laser power used and the number of laser repetitions, various depths and widths of the microchannel can be quickly created to meet specific needs. As an example of a functional unit, a trigger valve was fabricated and tested, as proof of the validity of the fabrication protocol. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:24:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d5a473bb867349bd877c9c3913532bd6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:24:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-d5a473bb867349bd877c9c3913532bd62023-11-16T22:10:39ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2023-01-0114232410.3390/mi14020324Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode LaserThana Thaweeskulchai0Albert Schulte1School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wang Chan Valley, Rayong 21210, ThailandSchool of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wang Chan Valley, Rayong 21210, ThailandFor normal operations, microfluidic devices typically require an external source of pressure to deliver fluid flow through the microchannel. This requirement limits their use for benchtop research activities in a controlled static environment. To exploit the full potential of the miniaturization and portability of microfluidic platforms, passively driven capillary microfluidic devices have been developed to completely remove the need for an external pressure source. Capillary microfluidics can be designed to perform complex tasks by designing individual components of the device. These components, such as the stop valve and trigger valve, operate through changes in microchannel dimensions and aspect ratios. A direct, maskless fabrication protocol that allows the precise fabrication of microchannels and other microfluidic components is introduced here. A diode laser and polyimide tape on a PMMA substrate are the only components needed to start fabrication. By varying the laser power used and the number of laser repetitions, various depths and widths of the microchannel can be quickly created to meet specific needs. As an example of a functional unit, a trigger valve was fabricated and tested, as proof of the validity of the fabrication protocol.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/2/324diode laserpolyimidemicrofluidiccapillarypassively drivenmultilayer |
| spellingShingle | Thana Thaweeskulchai Albert Schulte Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser Micromachines diode laser polyimide microfluidic capillary passively driven multilayer |
| title | Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser |
| title_full | Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser |
| title_fullStr | Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser |
| title_full_unstemmed | Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser |
| title_short | Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser |
| title_sort | basic guide to multilayer microfluidic fabrication with polyimide tape and diode laser |
| topic | diode laser polyimide microfluidic capillary passively driven multilayer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/2/324 |
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