Fabrication of complex PDMS microfluidic structures and embedded functional substrates by one-step injection moulding

We report a novel injection moulding technique for fabrication of complex multi-layer microfluidic structures, allowing one-step robust integration of functional components with microfluidic channels, and fabrication of elastomeric microfluidic valves. This technique simplifies multi-layer microflui...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:RSC advances 2016-01, Vol.6 (91), p.87988-87994
Main Authors: Szydzik, C, Niego, B, Dalzell, G, Knoerzer, M, Ball, F, Nesbitt, W. S, Medcalf, R. L, Khoshmanesh, K, Mitchell, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Channels
Devices
Elastomers
Injection molding
Microfluidics
Multilayers
Robustness
Valves
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Summary:We report a novel injection moulding technique for fabrication of complex multi-layer microfluidic structures, allowing one-step robust integration of functional components with microfluidic channels, and fabrication of elastomeric microfluidic valves. This technique simplifies multi-layer microfluidic device fabrication, while significantly increasing device functionality. We demonstrate functional component integration through robust encapsulation of porous polyester membranes, in the context of an in vitro research platform intended to facilitate Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) research. We also demonstrate the fabrication of normally-closed, pneumatically actuated elastomer valves, integrated using the same one-step process. These valves are demonstrated in the context of variable flow resistors used to modulate flow in a pressure driven system. We report a novel injection moulding technique for fabrication of complex multi-layer microfluidic structures, allowing one-step robust integration of functional components with microfluidic channels and fabrication of elastomeric valves.
ISSN:2046-2069
2046-2069
DOI:10.1039/c6ra20688c