Fabrication of Chemofluidic Integrated Circuits by Multi-Material Printing

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Photolithographic patterning of components and integrated circuits based on active polymers for microfluidics is challenging and not always efficient on a laboratory scale using the traditional mask-based fabrication procedures. Here, we present an alternative manufacturing process based on multi-material 3D printing that can be used to print various active polymers in microfluidic structures that act as microvalves on large-area substrates efficiently in terms of processing time and consumption of active materials with a single machine. Based on the examples of two chemofluidic valve types, hydrogel-based closing valves and PEG-based opening valves, the respective printing procedures, essential influencing variables and special features are discussed, and the components are characterized with regard to their properties and tolerances. The functionality of the concept is demonstrated by a specific chemofluidic chip which automates an analysis procedure typical of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. Multi-material 3D printing allows active-material devices to be produced on chip substrates with tolerances comparable to photolithography but is faster and very flexible for small quantities of up to about 50 chips.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number699
Number of pages17
JournalMicromachines
Volume14(2023)
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36985107
Mendeley d62744e7-29c5-3c8f-8307-22a524525a22
WOS 000960125700001
ORCID /0000-0002-8588-9755/work/142246740

Keywords

Keywords

  • chemofluidics, closing and opening valve, hydrogel, microfluidics, PEG, printing, Printing, Peg, Closing and opening valve, Chemofluidics, Hydrogel, Microfluidics