Abstract
In this article, we show an alternative low-cost fabrication method to obtain poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices. The proposed method allows the inscription of micron resolution channels on polystyrene (PS) surfaces, used as a mold for the wanted microchip’s production, by applying a high absorption coating film on the PS surface to ablate it with a focused low-power visible laser. The method allows for obtaining micro-resolution channels at powers between 2 and 10 mW and can realize any two-dimensional polymeric devices. The effect of the main processing parameters on the channel’s geometry is presented.
Highlights
Micromachining techniques to create polymeric microfluidic or microchip devices have received significant attention in recent years [1]
We show an alternative strategy to obtain planar poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices [8] using a continuous low-power visible source for laser ablation microfabrication
We We noticed that with simple exposure to light illumination, photoablation is produced on the noticed that with simple exposure to light illumination, photoablation is produced on the female mold layer (FML) with a relatively low average power
Summary
Micromachining techniques to create polymeric microfluidic or microchip devices have received significant attention in recent years [1]. These controlled microenvironments are an essential tool for biological studies [2], including drug discovery [3], early diagnostic testing [4,5], cell differentiation [6], and others [7]. Two-dimensional polymers’ patterning enables the implementation of controlled planar microenvironments and for the obtention of non-flat surfaces [8] for cross-disciplinary research at the intersection of photonics, chemical, physics, nanotechnology, nonlinear fluid mechanics, and environmental science. Cross-disciplinary research has benefited from polymeric microchip devices, which constitute tools for antiviral research and technical elements for treatment developments [9]. Typical microchips production may entail, for example, photolithography [13], microcontact printing [14,15,16], replica molding [17], or, as we show here, laser ablation
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