Polymer Microfluidics: Simple, Low-Cost Fabrication Process Bridging Academic Lab Research to Commercialized Production

Abstract

Using polymer materials to fabricate microfluidic devices provides simple, cost effective, and disposal advantages for both lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices and micro total analysis systems (μTAS). Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer and thermoplastics are the two major polymer materials used in microfluidics. The fabrication of PDMS and thermoplastic microfluidic device can be categorized as front-end polymer microchannel fabrication and post-end microfluidic bonding procedures, respectively. PDMS and thermoplastic materials each have unique advantages and their use is indispensable in polymer microfluidics. Therefore, the proper selection of polymer microfabrication is necessary for the successful application of microfluidics. In this paper, we give a short overview of polymer microfabrication methods for microfluidics and discuss current challenges and future opportunities for research in polymer microfluidics fabrication. We summarize standard approaches, as well as state-of-art polymer microfluidic fabrication methods. Currently, the polymer microfluidic device is at the stage of technology transition from research labs to commercial production. Thus, critical consideration is also required with respect to the commercialization aspects of fabricating polymer microfluidics. This article provides easy-to-understand illustrations and targets to assist the research community in selecting proper polymer microfabrication strategies in microfluidics.

mHealth-Based Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip for International Health Security

“…LoC devices enhance numerous biomedical tests that entail mixing, analysis, and separation of samples, which usually consist of cell suspensions, nucleic acids, and proteins; analytical, electrical, or optical detection methods are also possible [53]. Key manufacturing advantages that make microfluidic LoC technology reasonable are: achievable mass production, affordable replacement cost, short time manufacture, simple quality tests, and broad range of supporting computer-aided design and simulation software tools [54]. However, the technical limitations such as size reduction, sample input rates, power consumption, chip reliability, and biocompatibility all still require further investigations in the design of microfluidic LoC technology [55].…”

Microfluidic Platforms for the Detection of Disease Biomarkers

“…In addition, they are low-cost and easy to fabricate and mass-produce. They can be fabricated by different methods such as hot embossing or imprinting, laser ablation, injection molding, and soft lithography [22].…”

Cyclo olefin polymer-based solvent-free mass-productive microphysiological systems

“…While seeking for alternatives to PDMS, we have realized that cyclo olefin polymer (COP) is advantageous for MPSs, not only over PDMS but also glass, polystyrene, and polymethyl methacrylate. [13][14][15] COP is an amorphous polymer and shows chemical/physical stability, high purity and optical clarity, and has been used for a variety of applications, including not only displays and packaging films but also medical products. Since COP also shows thermostability with high modulus, metal molding process can be used for mass production of MPSs without deformation of microstructures and should be beneficial for MPS applications.…”