Precision moulding of biomimetic disposable chips for droplet-based applications

Abstract

In this study, we present a biomimetic approach to improve the stability and reproducibility of droplet generation processes and to reduce the adhesion of aqueous droplets to channel surfaces of microfluidic polymer chips. The hierarchical structure of the lotus leaf was used as a template for a partial laser structuring of the moulds that were used for casting the polymer chips. The hydrophobic wax layer of the lotus leaf was technologically replicated by coating the polymer chips using a plasma deposition process. The resulting microfluidic polymer chip surfaces reveal a topography and a surface free energy similar to those of the lotus leaf. Subsequent droplet-based microfluidic experiments were performed using a 2D flow focussing set-up. Droplets from both, serum-supplemented cell culture medium and anticoagulated human whole blood, could be generated stably and reproducibly using a fluorocarbon as continuous phase. The presented results illustrate the application potential of the lotus-leaf-like polymer chips in life sciences, e.g. in the field of personalised medicine.