Rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices using imprinting: application to microvalves and micropumps

Abstract

A method to create microfluidic devices by utilizing hot imprinting stamps formed using printed circuit boards is demonstrated. Very large microfluidic devices (15×15 cm 2 ) can be created with lateral features down to 100 µm and depths of nominally 17-70 µm. Room temperature solvent bonding was found to be a simple method of sealing the channels. The work also decribes the fabriation and operation of thermally actuated microvalves with sub-second switching and micropumps based on the imprinting techniques described.