Fabrication of Topologically Complex Three-Dimensional Microfluidic Systems in PDMS by Rapid Prototyping
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- 作者：Janelle R. Anderson ; Daniel T. Chiu ; Rebecca J. Jackman ; Oksana Cherniavskaya ; J. Cooper McDonald ; Hongkai Wu ; Sue H. Whitesides ; and George M. Whitesides
- 刊名：Analytical Chemistry
- 出版年：2000
- 出版时间：July 15, 2000
- 年：2000
- 卷：72
- 期：14
- 页码：3158 - 3164
- 全文大小：253K
- 年卷期：v.72,no.14(July 15, 2000)
- ISSN：1520-6882
文摘
This paper describes a procedure for making topologicallycomplex three-dimensional microfluidic channel systemsin poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). This procedure iscalled the "membrane sandwich" method to suggest thestructure of the final system: a thin membrane havingchannel structures molded on each face (and with connections between the faces) sandwiched between twothicker, flat slabs that provide structural support. Two"masters" are fabricated by rapid prototyping using two-level photolithography and replica molding. They arealigned face to face, under pressure, with PDMS prepolymer between them. The PDMS is cured thermally. Themasters have complementary alignment tracks, so registration is straightforward. The resulting, thin PDMSmembrane can be transferred and sealed to anothermembrane or slab of PDMS by a sequence of steps inwhich the two masters are removed one at a time; thesesteps take place without distortion of the features. Thismethod can fabricate a membrane containing a channelthat crosses over and under itself, but does not intersectitself and, therefore, can be fabricated in the form of anyknot. It follows that this method can generate topologicallycomplex microfluidic systems; this capability is demonstrated by the fabrication of a "basketweave" structure.By filling the channels and removing the membrane,complex microstructures can be made. Stacking andsealing more than one membrane allows even morecomplicated geometries than are possible in one membrane. A square coiled channel that surrounds, but doesnot connect to, a straight channel illustrates this type ofcomplexity.