Inkjet 3D printing of microfluidic structures—on the selection of the printer towards printing your own microfluidic chips

Abstract

This article reports, for the first time, the results of detailed research on the application of inkjet 3D printing for the fabrication of microfluidic structures. CAD designed test structures were printed with four different printers. Dimensional fidelity, shape conformity, and surface roughness were studied for each printout. It was found that the minimum dimension (width or depth) for a properly printed microfluidic channel was approximately 200 μm. Although the nominal resolution of the printers was one order of magnitude better, smaller structures were significantly deformed or not printed at all. It was also found that a crucial step in one-step fabrication of embedded microchannels is the removal of the support material. We also discuss the source of print error and present a way to evaluate other printers. The printouts obtained from the four different printers were compared, and the optimal printing technique and printer were used to fabricate a microfluidic structure for the spectrophotometric characterisation of beverages. UV/VIS absorbance characteristics were collected using this microfluidic structure, demonstrating that the fabricated spectrophotometric chip operated properly. Thus, a proof-of-concept for using inkjet 3D printing for the fabrication of microfluidic structures was obtained.

Rapid assembly of multilayer microfluidic structures via 3D-printed transfer molding and bonding

“…The interfacial texture resulted in a peak surface asperity of~20 μm, measured by surface profilometry (Supplementary Figure S2c). Structural macroroughness, measured by Walczak et al 24 , was 0.70 μm and 0.56 μm in the x and y directions, respectively, values comparable to those achieved in micromilling. Supplementary Figure S2b shows a PDMS component after release from the 3D-printed molds, with an enlarged view of the surface roughness.…”

“…For example, various groups have used 3D printers to fabricate simple microfluidic devices with truly 3D geometries, including microfluidic devices without moving elements, such as resistors 20 and modular components 21 , as well as those with movable components, such as capacitors, diodes, and transistors 22 . Currently, the field of 3D-printed microfluidics is limited by the following: (1) the available resolution of the printer 20 ; (2) surface roughness 23,24 ; and (3) material types 25,26 ; however, 3D printing technologies are expected to rapidly advance and address these matters in the coming years. For further details on current 3D printer capabilities, including printer resolution and surface roughness, see reviews in Refs.…”

Configurable on-Chip Gel Electrophoresis in Inkjet 3D Printed Microfluidic Modules

“…Diameter of the embedded separation microchannels is 500 μm with 30 mm length for a single module. Utilized inkjet 3D printing technique is able to produce microchannels with smallest size (i.e., 200 μm [2]), but is strongly correlated with possibly of support removing material from long printed microchannels. Developed modules were designed in Inventor Professional 2017 (Autodesk, USA).…”

“…Visijet M3 Crystal building material and wax-like Visijet S300 support material (3D Systems, USA) are used. After printout the modules are cleaned according to the procedure described by us earlier [2]. Briefly, the support material is melted way at 60 °C, than the modules are cleaned in mineral oil bath with ultrasonic agitation at 60 °C.…”

Inkjet 3D Printed Miniature Water Turbine Energy Harvester-Flow Meter for Distributed Measurement Systems †

“…It is well known that 3D printing is recognized as a technology that can change the word [1]. In our previous works we presented that 3D printing can be successfully used to develop microfluidics structures [2,3]. Collected 3D printing know-how enables us development of more complicated miniature devices as the water turbine.…”