Basic Guide to Multilayer Microfluidic Fabrication with Polyimide Tape and Diode Laser

Abstract

For normal operations, microfluidic devices typically require an external source of pressure to deliver fluid flow through the microchannel. This requirement limits their use for benchtop research activities in a controlled static environment. To exploit the full potential of the miniaturization and portability of microfluidic platforms, passively driven capillary microfluidic devices have been developed to completely remove the need for an external pressure source. Capillary microfluidics can be designed to perform complex tasks by designing individual components of the device. These components, such as the stop valve and trigger valve, operate through changes in microchannel dimensions and aspect ratios. A direct, maskless fabrication protocol that allows the precise fabrication of microchannels and other microfluidic components is introduced here. A diode laser and polyimide tape on a PMMA substrate are the only components needed to start fabrication. By varying the laser power used and the number of laser repetitions, various depths and widths of the microchannel can be quickly created to meet specific needs. As an example of a functional unit, a trigger valve was fabricated and tested, as proof of the validity of the fabrication protocol.

Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices

“…This trend has gained traction due to the distinct advantages of thermoplastics, including lower costs and faster production times, rendering them a viable option for scaling up production ( Becker & Gärtner, 2000 ; Tsao, 2016 ). Among the polymers that have gained significant usage in microfluidics are Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyimide (PI), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), and Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) ( Denecke et al, 2022 ; Lee et al, 2022 ; Ortegón et al, 2022 ; Persson et al, 2022 ; Matsuura & Takata, 2023 ; Thaweeskulchai & Schulte, 2023 ).…”

Application of Biomedical Microspheres in Wound Healing

“…2023, 24, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 26 [39,63]. For adhering to the uniqueness of microdroplets, specific microfluidic devices are further created based on the structure of microspheres as well as their functional needs [64]. Copyright 2022, American Chemical Society.…”

“…Compared with traditional technology, microfluidic technology possesses lots of advantages, such as low cost, high size controllability, and small droplet volume [ 39 , 63 ]. For adhering to the uniqueness of microdroplets, specific microfluidic devices are further created based on the structure of microspheres as well as their functional needs [ 64 ].…”