Replication and leakage test of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics channel

Abstract

Microfluidics channel has been widely used in chemical and biological applications i.e. biological cell separation, electronic biosensors and actuators. Soft lithography is a standard method to fabricate the microfluidics channel using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and SU-8 mold in a clean room environment. In this work, PDMS microfluidics channel replication from SU-8 mold was successfully demonstrated without clean room facilities. Characterization of the chrome mask, SU-8 mold and replicated microfluidics channel was done using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The coefficient of variance of 0.011 mm of the channel dimension was obtained from the characterization data. Functional test of the complete PDMS microfluidics channel bonded with PDMS and glass as the base material was conducted at different volumetric flow rates. It was observed that the PDMS microfluidics channel with PDMS base can withstand up to maximum 9 ml/min volumetric flow rate without sign of leakage. However, PDMS microfluidics channel with glass base showed sign of leakage at 4 ml/min. In conclusion, replication of PDMS microfluidics channel without clean room facilities is possible and a good bonding of PDMS channel and PDMS base is achievable.