A glass microfluidic chip adhesive bonding method at room temperature

Abstract

This paper presents a novel method using UV epoxy resin for the bonding of glass blanks and patterned plates at room temperature. There is no need to use a high-temperature thermal fusion process and therefore avoid damaging temperature-sensitive metals in a microchip. The proposed technique has the further advantage that the sealed glass blanks and patterned plates can be separated by the application of adequate heat. In this way, the microchip can be opened, the fouling microchannels may be easily cleaned-up and the plates then re-bonded to recycle the microchip. The proposed sealing method is used to bond a microfluidic device, and the bonding strength is then investigated in a series of chemical resistance tests conducted in various chemicals. Leakage of solution was evaluated in a microfluidic chip using pressure testing to 1.792 × 102 kPa (26 psi), and the microchannel had no observable leak. Electrical leakage between channels was tested by comparing the resistances of two bonding methods, and the result shows no significant electrical leakage. The performance of the device obtained from the proposed bonding method is compared with that of the thermal fusion bonding technique for an identical microfluidic device. It is found that identical results are obtained under the same operating conditions. The proposed method provides a simple, quick and inexpensive method for sealing glass microfluidic chips.