Printing 3D microfluidic chips with a 3D sugar printer

Abstract

This study demonstrated how to quickly and effectively print two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic chips with a low-cost 3D sugar printer. The sugar printer was modified from a desktop 3D printer by redesigning the extruder, so the melting sugar could be extruded with pneumatic driving. Sacrificial sugar lines were first printed on a base layer followed by casting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) onto the layer and repeating. Microchannels were then printed in the PDMS solvent, microfluidic chips dropped into hot water to dissolve the sugar lines after the PDMS was solidified, and the microfluidic chips did not need further sealing. Different types of sugar utilized for printing material were studied with results indicating that maltitol exhibited a stable flow property compared with other sugars such as caramel or sucrose. Low cost is a significant advantage of this type of sugar printer as the machine may be purchased for only approximately $800. Additionally, as demonstrated in this study, the printed 3D microfluidic chip is a useful tool utilized for cell culture, thus proving the 3D printer is a powerful tool for medical/biological research.