Abstract
Recently, thermoplastic polymers have become popular materials for microfluidic chips due to their easy fabrication and low cost. A polymer based microfluidic device can be formed in various fabrication techniques such as laser machining, injection molding, and hot embossing. A new bonding process presented in this paper uses a 2.5% (w/w) polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) solution as an adhesive layer to bond dissimilar polymers—PMMA to polycarbonate (PC)—to enclose the PMMA microfluidic channels with PC. This technique has been successfully demonstrated to bond PMMA microchip to PC film. This paper presents bonding strength using a shear strength test and a crack opening method in addition to the fluidic leakage inspection.
Highlights
Microfluidic systems for bio-/chemical analysis have become considerably attractive due to fast analysis, small reagent consumption, on-chip sample treatment, and portability [1]
Followed by microfluidic channel patterning on thermoplastic polymer, a sealing process is required on the formed polymer to enclose microfluidic channels
A simple and fast bonding technique for fabrication of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)–PC hybrid devices is developed using assistance of PMMA solution made by dissolving PMMA beads in PGMEA solution
Summary
Microfluidic systems for bio-/chemical analysis have become considerably attractive due to fast analysis, small reagent consumption, on-chip sample treatment, and portability [1]. The most popular thermoplastic polymers for microfluidic devices are polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), and polystyrene (PS) [3,4,5,6]. The sealing process is one of crucial but challenging steps to complete polymer-based microfluidic devices and needs to enclose the channel tightly without deforming the microchannels. PMMA is one of the most popular materials in polymer based microfluidic devices due to easy fabrication and PC is used in various applications for its outstanding properties and especially high toughness, high impact strength, and high optical transparency [22]. PMMA solution is employed as an adhesive layer to bond PMMA to PC The former contains microfluidic channels and the latter is used for a covering material of the microfluidic device.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
