Low-cost rapid prototyping of flexible plastic paper based microfluidic devices

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqiang Fan ◽  
Huawei Li ◽  
Ying Yi ◽  
Ian G. Foulds
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Devices

scholarly journals Recent advances in nonbiofouling PDMS surface modification strategies applicable to microfluidic technology

TECHNOLOGY ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslihan Gokaltun ◽  
Martin L. Yarmush ◽  
Ayse Asatekin ◽  
O. Berk Usta
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Gas Permeability ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Pdms Surface ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Hydrophobic Recovery

In the last decade microfabrication processes including rapid prototyping techniques have advanced rapidly and achieved a fairly mature stage. These advances have encouraged and enabled the use of microfluidic devices by a wider range of users with applications in biological separations and cell and organoid cultures. Accordingly, a significant current challenge in the field is controlling biomolecular interactions at interfaces and the development of novel biomaterials to satisfy the unique needs of the biomedical applications. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is one of the most widely used materials in the fabrication of microfluidic devices. The popularity of this material is the result of its low cost, simple fabrication allowing rapid prototyping, high optical transparency, and gas permeability. However, a major drawback of PDMS is its hydrophobicity and fast hydrophobic recovery after surface hydrophilization. This results in significant nonspecific adsorption of proteins as well as small hydrophobic molecules such as therapeutic drugs limiting the utility of PDMS in biomedical microfluidic circuitry. Accordingly, here, we focus on recent advances in surface molecular treatments to prevent fouling of PDMS surfaces towards improving its utility and expanding its use cases in biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Negligible-cost microfluidic device fabrication using 3D-printed interconnecting channel scaffolds

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0245206
Author(s):  
Harry Felton ◽  
Robert Hughes ◽  
Andrea Diaz-Gaxiola
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Channel ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Device Fabrication ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Channel Cross Section ◽  
Microfluidic Systems ◽  
3D Printed

This paper reports a novel, negligible-cost and open-source process for the rapid prototyping of complex microfluidic devices in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using 3D-printed interconnecting microchannel scaffolds. These single-extrusion scaffolds are designed with interconnecting ends and used to quickly configure complex microfluidic systems before being embedded in PDMS to produce an imprint of the microfluidic configuration. The scaffolds are printed using common Material Extrusion (MEX) 3D printers and the limits, cost & reliability of the process are evaluated. The limits of standard MEX 3D-printing with off-the-shelf printer modifications is shown to achieve a minimum channel cross-section of 100×100 μm. The paper also lays out a protocol for the rapid fabrication of low-cost microfluidic channel moulds from the thermoplastic 3D-printed scaffolds, allowing the manufacture of customisable microfluidic systems without specialist equipment. The morphology of the resulting PDMS microchannels fabricated with the method are characterised and, when applied directly to glass, without plasma surface treatment, are shown to efficiently operate within the typical working pressures of commercial microfluidic devices. The technique is further validated through the demonstration of 2 common microfluidic devices; a fluid-mixer demonstrating the effective interconnecting scaffold design, and a microsphere droplet generator. The minimal cost of manufacture means that a 5000-piece physical library of mix-and-match channel scaffolds (100 μm scale) can be printed for ~$0.50 and made available to researchers and educators who lack access to appropriate technology. This simple yet innovative approach dramatically lowers the threshold for research and education into microfluidics and will make possible the rapid prototyping of point-of-care lab-on-a-chip diagnostic technology that is truly affordable the world over.

scholarly journals A cost-effective micromilling platform for rapid prototyping of microdevices

TECHNOLOGY ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 234-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Yen ◽  
Yuta Ando ◽  
Keyue Shen
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lab On A Chip ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Organ On A Chip

Micromilling has great potential in producing microdevices for lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip applications, but has remained under-utilized due to the high machinery costs and limited accessibility. In this paper, we assessed the machining capabilities of a low-cost 3-D mill in polycarbonate material, which were showcased by the production of microfluidic devices. The study demonstrates that this particular mill is well suited for the fabrication of multi-scale microdevices with feature sizes from micrometers to centimeters.

Low-cost rapid prototyping of glass microfluidic devices using a micromilling technique

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyong Ku ◽  
Zongwei Zhang ◽  
Xiaolong Liu ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Gang Li
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Devices

Low-Cost Rapid Prototyping of Whole-Glass Microfluidic Devices

2012 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 1288-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Po Ki Yuen ◽  
Vasiliy N. Goral
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Devices

Constructive Optimisation of the Propeller Type Mixing Devices Using the Virtual and Rapid Prototyping

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Besnea ◽  
Alina Spanu ◽  
Iuliana Marlena Prodea ◽  
Gheorghita Tomescu ◽  
Iolanda Constanta Panait
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Multidisciplinary Optimization ◽  
External Diameter ◽  
Process Industries ◽  
Parametric Cad ◽  
Shaft Torque

The paper points out the advantages of rapid prototyping for improving the performances/constructive optimization of mixing devices used in process industries, here exemplified to propeller types ones. The multidisciplinary optimization of the propeller profile affords its design using parametric CAD methods. Starting from the mathematical curve equations proposed for the blade profile, it was determined its three-dimensional virtual model. The challenge has been focused on the variation of propeller pitch and external diameter. Three dimensional ranges were manufactured using the additive manufacturing process with Marker Boot 3D printer. The mixing performances were tested on the mixing equipment measuring the minimum rotational speed and the correspondent shaft torque for complete suspension achieved for each of the three models. The virtual and rapid prototyping method is newly proposed by the authors to obtain the basic data for scale up of the mixing systems, in the case of flexible production (of low quantities), in which both the nature and concentration of the constituents in the final product varies often. It is an efficient and low cost method for the rapid identification of the optimal mixing device configuration, which contributes to the costs reduction and to the growing of the output.

scholarly journals A Review of Current Research in Subscale Flight Testing and Analysis of Its Main Practical Challenges

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Alejandro Sobron ◽  
David Lundström ◽  
Petter Krus
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Experimental Method ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Interesting Application ◽  
Flight Testing ◽  
Scale Characteristics ◽  
Vehicle Technologies

Testing of untethered subscale models, often referred to as subscale flight testing, has traditionally had a relatively minor, yet relevant use in aeronautical research and development. As recent advances in electronics, rapid prototyping and unmanned-vehicle technologies expand its capabilities and lower its cost, this experimental method is seeing growing interest across academia and the industry. However, subscale models cannot meet all similarity conditions required for simulating full-scale flight. This leads to a variety of approaches to scaling and to other alternative applications. Through a literature review and analysis of different scaling strategies, this study presents an overall picture of how subscale flight testing has been used in recent years and synthesises its main issues and practical limitations. Results show that, while the estimation of full-scale characteristics is still an interesting application within certain flight conditions, subscale models are progressively taking a broader role as low-cost technology-testing platforms with relaxed similarity constraints. Different approaches to tackle the identified practical challenges, implemented both by the authors and by other organisations, are discussed and evaluated through flight experiments.

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