Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility

Lab Chip. 2013 Jan 21;13(2):252-9. doi: 10.1039/c2lc40888k. Epub 2012 Nov 28.

Abstract

This paper describes a general scheme to fabricate microchannels from curable polymers on a laboratory benchtop. Using the scheme described here, benchtop fabrication of SU-8 microfluidic systems was demonstrated for the first time, and their compatibility with organic solvents was demonstrated. The fabrication process has three major stages: 1) transferring patterns of microchannels to polymer films by molding, 2) releasing the patterned film and creating inlets and outlets for fluids, and 3) sealing two films together to create a closed channel system. Addition of a PDMS slab supporting the polymer film provided structural integrity during and after fabrication, allowing manipulation of the polymer films without fracturing or deformation. SU-8 channels fabricated according to this scheme exhibited solvent compatibility against continuous exposure to acetone and ethylacetate, which are incompatible with native PDMS. Using the SU-8 channels, continuous generation of droplets of ethylacetate, and templated synthesis of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, both with stable size, were demonstrated continuously over 24 h, and at intervals over 75 days.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Emulsions / chemistry
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Oils / chemistry
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry*
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Emulsions
  • Oils
  • Solvents
  • Water
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • baysilon