Combining 3D printing and liquid handling to produce user-friendly reactionware for chemical synthesis and purification

Kitson, Philip J.; Symes, Mark D.; Dragone, Vincenza; Cronin, Leroy

doi:10.1039/c3sc51253c

Cited by 164 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…24 For example, Kitson et al [25][26][27] demonstrated fluidic devices 3D printed by extruding plastic through a heated nozzle. However, this fabrication method is inherently unable to produce feature sizes and flow channel dimensions needed for microfluidic (as opposed to macrofluidic or millifluidic) device fabrication.…”

Section: Microfluidicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D printed microfluidic devices with integrated valves

2015

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We report the successful fabrication and testing of 3D printed microfluidic devices with integrated membrane-based valves. Fabrication is performed with a low-cost commercially available stereolithographic 3D printer. Horizontal microfluidic channels with designed rectangular cross sectional dimensions as small as 350 μm wide and 250 μm tall are printed with 100% yield, as are cylindrical vertical microfluidic channels with 350 μm designed (210 μm actual) diameters. Based on our previous work [Rogers et al., Anal. Chem. 83, 6418 (2011)], we use a custom resin formulation tailored for low non-specific protein adsorption. Valves are fabricated with a membrane consisting of a single build layer. The fluid pressure required to open a closed valve is the same as the control pressure holding the valve closed. 3D printed valves are successfully demonstrated for up to 800 actuations.

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Section: Microfluidicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D printed microfluidic devices with integrated valves

2015

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“…[17][18][19] Considerable progress has been made in demonstrating the utility of 3D printing in the chemical sciences in the "reactionware" series of publications. [20][21][22] Herein we explore the revolutionary device fabrication potential of 3D printing applied to the aforementioned challenges of the design and manufacture of electrolyser components, resulting in a new manufacturing paradigm wherein 3D printed components are, for the rst time, incorporated into an electrolyser.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

3D printed flow plates for the electrolysis of water: an economic and adaptable approach to device manufacture

Chisholm

Kitson

Kirkaldy

et al. 2014

Energy Environ. Sci.

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157

103

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The electrolysis of water is considered a promising route to the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Electrolysers based on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have a number of advantages including high current density, high product gas purity and the ability to operate at high pressure. Despite these advantages the high cost of such devices is an impediment to their widespread deployment. A principal factor in this cost are the materials and machining of flow plates for distribution of the liquid reagents and gaseous products in the electrochemical cell. We demonstrate the production and operation of a PEM electrolyser constructed from silver coated 3D printed components fabricated from polypropylene. This approach allows construction of light weight, low cost electrolysers and the rapid prototyping of flow field design. Furthermore we provide data on the operation of this electrolyser wherein we show that performance is excellent for a first generation device in terms of overall efficiency, internal resistances and current-voltage response. This development opens the door to the fabrication of light weight and cheap electrolysers as well as related electrochemical devices such as flow batteries and fuel cells. Broader contextUptake of renewable energy generation, especially wind and solar power is increasing at a dramatic rate and has the potential to contribute greatly to mankind's management of climate change due to accumulation of CO 2 . Matching supply and demand of these intermittent renewable energy sources is challenging and solutions offered oen depend on the conversion of excess electrical power to chemical or potential energy for storage until required. Hydrogen is a potential storage medium in this regard and the use of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysers holds great promise for the generation of hydrogen from renewable sources. Successful realisation of this goal requires product development of all parts of the PEM electrolyser from the "active" components e.g. the catalysts, to the "passive" components, namely the structural parts of the electrolyser stack. 3D printing is an emerging technology which can be used in the fabrication of many different device types. Here we present the use of 3D printing to prepare components of an electrolyser cell and demonstrate its operation. This application of 3D printing enables rapid prototyping, cost reduction and a dramatic reduction in component weight. All of which may accelerate the development of new electrolyser technologies.

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“…A month later (Jun 2013) the group attempted to make liquid and solid handling devices, using PP and the Bits from Bytes 3DTouch™ 3D printer to produce a serious of interconnecting reaction chambers. 123 The reaction reagents, catalysts, and purification apparatus were integrated into a single monolithic device. This allowed a multi-step reaction sequence to be performed by simply rotating the device so that the reaction mixture could flow through successive environments under gravity.…”

Section: Additive Manufacture Of Fluidic Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This process can be used with a range of commercially available thermoplastic polymers, and has been utilised to produce a number of fluidic reaction devices. 123 Resistive heaters within the nozzle maintain the temperature of the polymer at a temperature just above its melting point, as the filament is fed through the nozzle by a motorised wheel. The material is usually supplied in the form of a long filament, but some machines utilise plastic pellets dispensed through a hopper.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%