PDMS microchannel fabrication technique based on microwire-molding

Abstract

Micro-flow channel is basic functional component of microfluidic chip, and every step-forward of its construction technique has been receiving concern all over the world. This article presents a notcomplicated but flexible method for fabrication of micro-flow channels. This method mainly utilizes the conventional molding capability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and widespread commercial microwires as templates. We have fabricated out some conventional types of microchannels with different topological shapes, as examples for the demonstration of this flexible fabrication route which was not dependent on the stringent demands of photolithographical or microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques. The smooth surface, high-intensity, and high flexibility of the wires made it possible to create many types of topological structures of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional microchannel or channel array. The geometric shape of the cross-section of thus forming microchannel in PDMS was the negative of that of embedded-in microwire, in high-fidelity if suitable measures were taken. Moreover, such a microchannel fabrication process can easily integrate the conductivity and low resistivity of the metal wire to create micro-flow devices that are suitable for the electromagnetic control of liquid or the temperature regulation in the microchannel. Furthermore some preliminary optical analysis was provided for the observation of thus forming rounded microchannel. Based on this molding strategy, we even made some prototypes for functional microflow application, such as microsolenoids chip and temperature control gadgets. And an experiment of forming a droplet in the cross channel further confirmed the feasibility and applicability of this flexible microchannel forming technique.