Abstract
Microfluidic devices are a rising technology to automatize chemical and biological operations. In this context, laser ablation has significant potential for polymer-based microfluidic platforms’ fast and economical manufacturing. Nevertheless, the manufacturing of epoxy-based microfluidic chips is considered highly cost full due to the demand for cleanroom facilities that utilize expensive equipment and lengthy processes. Therefore, this study targeted investigating the feasibility of epoxy resins to be fabricated as a lab-on-chip using carbon dioxide laser ablation. The chemical structural properties and thermal stability of the plain epoxy resins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, a specific migration test was performed to quantify potential migrants by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to prove that the cured epoxy resin would not release unreacted monomers to the biological solution test, which caused inhibition of the sensitive biological reactions. By investigating the impact of this process on microchannels’ dimensions and quality, a laser technique using CO2 laser was used in vector mode to engrave into a transparent epoxy resin chip. The resulting microchannels were characterized using 3D laser microscopy. The outcomes of this study showed considerable potential for laser ablation in machining the epoxy-based chips, whereas the microchannels machined by laser processing at an input power of 1.8 W and scanning speed of 5 mm/s have an aspect ratio of about 1.19 and a reasonable surface roughness (Ra) of ~ 15 µm. Meanwhile, the bulge height was 0.027 µm with no clogging, and HAZ was ~ 18 µm. This study validated the feasibility of quick and cost-effective CO2 laser microfabrication to develop epoxy resin-based microfluidic chips without the need for cleanroom facilities that require expensive equipment and lengthy process.
Highlights
During the past few decades, advances in microfabrication and nanotechnologies enabled the development of analytical devices characterized by new capabilities and small sizes practical for diagnostic, pharmaceutical, analytical, and medical industries
Thermosetting epoxy resin-based microfluidics has been successfully fabricated with simple, mask-less, and rapid operations, including casting and C O2 laser ablation micromachining
It was found that commercially available epoxy resin has many vital properties that make it a good potential candidate for microfluidics, such as high young's modulus, hydrophobicity, high optical transparency, thermal stability, autoclavability, negligible migration, easiness of handling and low cost
Summary
During the past few decades, advances in microfabrication and nanotechnologies enabled the development of analytical devices characterized by new capabilities and small sizes practical for diagnostic, pharmaceutical, analytical, and medical industries. CO2 laser ablation provides several advantages, including low cost, quick prototyping time, and no requirement for chemicals or cleanroom facilities. There is no study in the literature that we are aware of that uses applying CO2 laser ablation to epoxy resin This process can produce epoxy resin-based microfluidic chips without needing cleanroom facilities requiring expensive equipment and lengthy procedures. Researchers are still seeking novel materials and inventing new fabrication processes to suit the criteria of high flexibility, quick turn-around, and low cost in producing microfluidic devices. Such requirements are considered a stepping stone along the pathway towards commercialization. The impact of laser micromachining parameters, including laser power (P) and scanning speed (U) on the microchannel dimensions and roughness and heat defects, was investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
