Analytical Performance of Polymer-Based Microfluidic Devices Fabricated By Computer Numerical Controlled Machining

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2006-02, Vol.78 (3), p.936-941
• Main Authors: Mecomber, Justin S, Stalcup, Apryll M, Hurd, Doug, Halsall, H. Brian, Heineman, William R, Seliskar, Carl J, Wehmeyer, Kenneth R, Limbach, Patrick A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Computer-Aided Design; Exact sciences and technology; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Methods; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - methods; Micromachining; Microprocessors; Other chromatographic methods; Polymers - chemistry; Sensitivity and Specificity; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac051523y

A study comparing the electrophoretic separation performance attainable from microchips molded by masters fabricated using conventional CNC machining techniques with commercial microchips, wire imprinted microchips, and microchips from LIGA molding devices is presented. An electrophoresis-based detection system using fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the analytical utility of these microchips. The separation performance of CNC microchips was comparable to commercially available microchips as well as those fabricated from LIGA masters. The important feature of the CNC machined masters is that they have rapid design-to-device times using routinely available machining tools. This low-cost prototyping approach provides a new entry point for researchers interested in thermoplastic microchips and can accelerate the development of polymer-based lab-on-a-chip devices.