Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments
<i>Polydimethylsiloxane</i> (PDMS) is a widely used material in laboratories for fabricating microfluidic devices with a rapid and reproducible prototypingability, owing to its inherent properties (e.g., flexibility, air permeability, and transparency). However, the PDMS channel is easil...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-10-01
|
| Series: | Biosensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/12/10/838 |
| _version_ | 1827651349064450048 |
|---|---|
| author | Jaeseok Lee Minseok Kim |
| author_facet | Jaeseok Lee Minseok Kim |
| author_sort | Jaeseok Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Polydimethylsiloxane</i> (PDMS) is a widely used material in laboratories for fabricating microfluidic devices with a rapid and reproducible prototypingability, owing to its inherent properties (e.g., flexibility, air permeability, and transparency). However, the PDMS channel is easily deformed under pressures applied to generate flows because of its elasticity, which can affect the robustness of experiments. In addition, air permeability of PDMS causes the pervaporation of water, and its porous structure absorbs oil and even small hydrophobic molecules, rendering it inappropriate for chemically demanding or day-long experiments. In this study, we develop a rapid and reproducible fabrication method for polymer-based rigid microfluidic devices, using epoxy resin that can overcome the limitations of PDMS channels, which are structurally and chemically robust. We first optimize a high-resolution fabrication protocol to achieve convenient and repeatable prototyping of polymeric devices via epoxy casting using PDMS soft molds. In addition, we compare the velocity changes in PDMS microchannels by tracking fluorescent particles in various flows (~133 μL/min) to demonstrate the structural robustness of the polymeric device. Furthermore, by comparing the adsorption of fluorescent hydrophobic chemicals and the pervaporation through channel walls, we demonstrate the excellent chemical resistance of the polymeric device and its suitability for day-long experiments. The rigid polymeric device can facilitate lab-on-chip research and enable various applications, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, anaerobic bacterial culture, and polymerase chain reaction, which require chemically or physically demanding experiments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:36:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f32487c7274b46e0835a22a8cc5c8b11 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6374 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:36:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biosensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-f32487c7274b46e0835a22a8cc5c8b112023-11-23T23:11:29ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742022-10-01121083810.3390/bios12100838Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long ExperimentsJaeseok Lee0Minseok Kim1Department of Mechanical System Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39177, KoreaDepartment of Mechanical System Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39177, Korea<i>Polydimethylsiloxane</i> (PDMS) is a widely used material in laboratories for fabricating microfluidic devices with a rapid and reproducible prototypingability, owing to its inherent properties (e.g., flexibility, air permeability, and transparency). However, the PDMS channel is easily deformed under pressures applied to generate flows because of its elasticity, which can affect the robustness of experiments. In addition, air permeability of PDMS causes the pervaporation of water, and its porous structure absorbs oil and even small hydrophobic molecules, rendering it inappropriate for chemically demanding or day-long experiments. In this study, we develop a rapid and reproducible fabrication method for polymer-based rigid microfluidic devices, using epoxy resin that can overcome the limitations of PDMS channels, which are structurally and chemically robust. We first optimize a high-resolution fabrication protocol to achieve convenient and repeatable prototyping of polymeric devices via epoxy casting using PDMS soft molds. In addition, we compare the velocity changes in PDMS microchannels by tracking fluorescent particles in various flows (~133 μL/min) to demonstrate the structural robustness of the polymeric device. Furthermore, by comparing the adsorption of fluorescent hydrophobic chemicals and the pervaporation through channel walls, we demonstrate the excellent chemical resistance of the polymeric device and its suitability for day-long experiments. The rigid polymeric device can facilitate lab-on-chip research and enable various applications, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, anaerobic bacterial culture, and polymerase chain reaction, which require chemically or physically demanding experiments.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/12/10/838microfluidicssoft lithographypolymeric deviceepoxy resinparticle compartmentalization |
| spellingShingle | Jaeseok Lee Minseok Kim Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments Biosensors microfluidics soft lithography polymeric device epoxy resin particle compartmentalization |
| title | Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments |
| title_full | Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments |
| title_fullStr | Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments |
| title_short | Polymeric Microfluidic Devices Fabricated Using Epoxy Resin for Chemically Demanding and Day-Long Experiments |
| title_sort | polymeric microfluidic devices fabricated using epoxy resin for chemically demanding and day long experiments |
| topic | microfluidics soft lithography polymeric device epoxy resin particle compartmentalization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/12/10/838 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jaeseoklee polymericmicrofluidicdevicesfabricatedusingepoxyresinforchemicallydemandinganddaylongexperiments AT minseokkim polymericmicrofluidicdevicesfabricatedusingepoxyresinforchemicallydemandinganddaylongexperiments |