The fabrication and testing of spiral microchannels with a trapezoidal cross section for the passive separation of microparticles is reported in this article. In contrast to previously reported fabrication methods, the fabrication of trapezoidal spiral channels in glass substrates using a femtosecond laser is reported for the first time in this paper. Femtosecond laser ablation has been proposed as an accurate and fast prototyping method with the ability to create 3D features such as slanted-base channels. Moreover, the fabrication in borosilicate glass substrates can provide high optical transparency, thermal resistance, dimensional stability, and chemical inertness. Post-processing steps of the laser engraved glass substrate are also detailed in this paper including hydrogen fluoride (HF) dipping, chemical cleaning, surface activation, and thermal bonding. Optical 3D images of the fabricated chips confirmed a good fabrication accuracy and acceptable surface roughness. To evaluate the particle separation function of the microfluidic chip, 5 μm, 10 μm, and 15 μm particles were focused and recovered from the two outlets of the spiral channel. In conclusion, the new chemically inert separation chip can be utilized in biological or chemical processes where different sizes of cells or particles must be separated, i.e., red blood cells, circulating tumor cells, and technical particle suspensions.

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Thermal processing of all aluminum alloy conductors (AAAC) is an important step that is performed to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties after the drawing process. In these 6xxx alloys, mechanical strength and electrical conductivity are normally two mutually exclusive properties. With the increased demand for high performance power conductors, it is important to understand and control microstructural evolution processes (e.g., recovery and the formation of nanoscale precipitates) in these alloys for better electrical and mechanical characteristics. In this study, heat treatment was performed on as-drawn 6201 AAAC wire conductors. The variations in tensile strength and electrical resistivity were quantitatively studied as a function of both the treatment temperature and holding time. Two wire diameters commonly used in the manufacturing of medium and high voltage power cables were used: 1.7 mm and 3.5 mm. From the obtained data, significant changes in the electrical resistivity and tensile strength were observed with increasing the treatment time. For both wire diameters, it was observed that the correlation between strength and resistivity can be described by a simple exponential relationship. This link could be useful in predicting mechanical strength by monitoring electrical resistivity variations during industrial heat treatment of AAAC wire conductors.