Issue 7, 2015

Monolithic multilayer microfluidics via sacrificial molding of 3D-printed isomalt

Abstract

Here we demonstrate a method for creating multilayer or 3D microfluidics by casting a curable resin around a water-soluble, freestanding sacrificial mold. We use a purpose-built 3D printer to pattern self-supporting filaments of the sugar alcohol isomalt, which we then back-fill with a transparent epoxy resin. Dissolving the sacrificial mold leaves a network of cylindrical channels as well as input and output ports. We use this technique to fabricate a combinatorial mixer capable of producing 8 combinations of two fluids in ratios ranging from 1 : 100 to 100 : 1. This approach allows rapid iteration on microfluidic chip design and enables the use of geometry and materials not accessible using conventional soft lithography. The ability to precisely pattern round channels in all three dimensions in hard and soft media may prove enabling for many organ-on-chip systems.

Graphical abstract: Monolithic multilayer microfluidics via sacrificial molding of 3D-printed isomalt

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 Nov 2014
Accepted
04 Feb 2015
First published
04 Feb 2015

Lab Chip, 2015,15, 1736-1741

Author version available

Monolithic multilayer microfluidics via sacrificial molding of 3D-printed isomalt

M. K. Gelber and R. Bhargava, Lab Chip, 2015, 15, 1736 DOI: 10.1039/C4LC01392A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements