Issue 13, 2015

Gecko gaskets for self-sealing and high-strength reversible bonding of microfluidics

Abstract

We report in this work a novel reversible bonding technique for elastomeric microfluidic devices by integrating gecko-inspired dry adhesives with microfluidic channels which greatly enhances the bonding strength of reversibly sealed channels. The concept is applicable to nearly any elastomer and can be used to bond against any smooth surface which allows for van der Waals interactions. It does not require any solvents or glues or sources for plasma activation or thermal-compressive loading to aid the bonding process and is achievable at zero extra cost. We also demonstrate a quick fabrication technique involving soft master thermo-compressive molding of these microfluidic devices with thermoplastic elastomers. The resultant devices can be used for both pressure driven and non-pressure driven flows. We report the maximum contained pressure of these devices manufactured from two grades of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) by conducting a burst pressure test with various substrates.

Graphical abstract: Gecko gaskets for self-sealing and high-strength reversible bonding of microfluidics

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Technical Innovation
Submitted
20 Mar 2015
Accepted
08 May 2015
First published
13 May 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Lab Chip, 2015,15, 2749-2753

Author version available

Gecko gaskets for self-sealing and high-strength reversible bonding of microfluidics

A. Wasay and D. Sameoto, Lab Chip, 2015, 15, 2749 DOI: 10.1039/C5LC00342C

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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