3D Printed Multimaterial Microfluidic Valve.

Steven J Keating,Maria Isabella Gariboldi,Sunanda Sharma,Neri Oxman,David S Kong,William G Patrick,Dario Pisignano

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160624

Steven J Keating, Maria Isabella Gariboldi + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0160624

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Abstract

We present a novel 3D printed multimaterial microfluidic proportional valve. The microfluidic valve is a fundamental primitive that enables the development of programmable, automated devices for controlling fluids in a precise manner. We discuss valve characterization results, as well as exploratory design variations in channel width, membrane thickness, and membrane stiffness. Compared to previous single material 3D printed valves that are stiff, these printed valves constrain fluidic deformation spatially, through combinations of stiff and flexible materials, to enable intricate geometries in an actuated, functionally graded device. Research presented marks a shift towards 3D printing multi-property programmable fluidic devices in a single step, in which integrated multimaterial valves can be used to control complex fluidic reactions for a variety of applications, including DNA assembly and analysis, continuous sampling and sensing, and soft robotics.

Highlights

The introduction of the first valves fabricated via soft lithography [1] ignited the field of microfluidics, enabling device programmability and automation at a previously unprecedented scale [2]
The simplicity and ease of soft lithography increased the accessibility of programmable microfluidics to non-experts in the area of microfabrication, engaging researchers from diverse fields of science and engineering [3]
Additive Manufacturing (AM) tools have been implemented to create microfluidic devices. 3D printed milli- and microfluidic systems have been fabricated through fused-deposition modeling (FDM) of thermoplastics [4], as well as stereolithography and inkjet printing of photo-curable polymers [5,6,7]

Summary

Introduction

The introduction of the first valves fabricated via soft lithography [1] ignited the field of microfluidics, enabling device programmability and automation at a previously unprecedented scale [2]. 3D printed valves for microfluidic devices have been created that are made of a single material and are actuated via membrane deformation through applied fluidic pressure [19,20,21].

Results

Conclusion