In recent years,microfluidic systems have evolved to incorporate increasingly complex multi-layer and multi-materialstructures.While conventional 2-dimensional microfluidic systems are typically fabricated with lithog...In recent years,microfluidic systems have evolved to incorporate increasingly complex multi-layer and multi-materialstructures.While conventional 2-dimensional microfluidic systems are typically fabricated with lithographic techniques,the increase in system complexity necessitates a more versatile set of fabrication techniques.Similarly,although 3Dprinting can easily produce intricate microfluidic geometries,integrating multiple membranes and electrodecomponents remains challenging.This study proposes a toolkit for fabricating free-standing 3-dimensionalmicrofluidic systems for biomedical devices,incorporating flow channels,electrodes,and membranes.The fabricationtechniques include molding separation using 3D printed molds,laser-based processing,and component assembly,each achieving micron resolution.Here,we introduce a novel approach to integrate membranes into microfluidics bydirectly curing elastomer-based microfluidics with the membrane through replica molding,while preservingmembrane functionality by effectively removing elastomer residues through reactive ion etching.The resultingmembrane-elastomer microfluidic component significantly simplifies the assembly of intricate microfluidic systems,reducing the device size to millimeter dimensions,suitable for implantable applications.The toolkit’s versatility isdemonstrated by a redox flow iontophoretic drug delivery prototype at the millimeter scale,featuring two electrodes,four membranes,and four microfluidic channels.展开更多
文摘In recent years,microfluidic systems have evolved to incorporate increasingly complex multi-layer and multi-materialstructures.While conventional 2-dimensional microfluidic systems are typically fabricated with lithographic techniques,the increase in system complexity necessitates a more versatile set of fabrication techniques.Similarly,although 3Dprinting can easily produce intricate microfluidic geometries,integrating multiple membranes and electrodecomponents remains challenging.This study proposes a toolkit for fabricating free-standing 3-dimensionalmicrofluidic systems for biomedical devices,incorporating flow channels,electrodes,and membranes.The fabricationtechniques include molding separation using 3D printed molds,laser-based processing,and component assembly,each achieving micron resolution.Here,we introduce a novel approach to integrate membranes into microfluidics bydirectly curing elastomer-based microfluidics with the membrane through replica molding,while preservingmembrane functionality by effectively removing elastomer residues through reactive ion etching.The resultingmembrane-elastomer microfluidic component significantly simplifies the assembly of intricate microfluidic systems,reducing the device size to millimeter dimensions,suitable for implantable applications.The toolkit’s versatility isdemonstrated by a redox flow iontophoretic drug delivery prototype at the millimeter scale,featuring two electrodes,four membranes,and four microfluidic channels.
