Abstract
High-throughput fabrication of graphically encoded hydrogel microparticles is achieved by combining flow contact lithography in a multichannel microfluidic device and a high capacity 25 mm LED UV source. Production rates of chemically homogeneous particles are improved by two orders of magnitude. Additionally, the custom-built contact lithography instrument provides an affordable solution for patterning complex microstructures on surfaces.
Highlights
Particles are synthesized inside a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel filled with a photocurable monomer solution, using microscope-based illumination and automated control of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
The method was demonstrated on polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels, but is applicable to any free radical polymerization reaction.[9,10]
The technique was initially proposed by Dendukuri et al as continuous flow lithography (CFL), with sequential UV pulses sent through the photomask on a continuous flow of monomer.[15]
Summary
The development of the flow-photolithography technique enabled significant progress toward automation and scale-up of microparticle synthesis using microfluidic channels.[8] Particles are synthesized inside a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channel filled with a photocurable monomer solution, using microscope-based illumination and automated control of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. While the conventional microscope-based flow lithography brings multiple advantages, such as intense light power surface density through the objective, fine resolution, and control over focal adjustment, it critically limits the illumination area and significantly decreases the number of particles that can be synthesized in a single exposure.
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