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Micromachines
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3D Printed Microfluidic Devices
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3D Printed Microfluidic Devices

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "D：Materials and Processing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 July 2018) | Viewed by 104370

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Savas Tasoglu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departments of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Interests: 3D printed microfluidics; portable diagnostic devices; magnetics; bioprinting; bottom-up tissue engineering; cryopreservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Albert Folch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, WA, USA
Interests: 3D-printing and soft lithography; microfluidics; cancer; axon guidance; miniature cell-based devices; high-throughput single-cell analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

3D printing has revolutionized the microfabrication prototyping workflow over the past few years. With the recent improvements in 3D printing technologies, highly complex microfluidic devices can be fabricated via single-step, rapid, and cost-effective protocols as a promising alternative to the time consuming, costly and sophisticated traditional cleanroom fabrication. Microfluidic devices have enabled a wide range of biochemical and clinical applications, such as cancer screening, micro-physiological system engineering, high-throughput drug testing, and point-of-care diagnostics. Using 3D printing fabrication technologies, alteration of the design features is significantly easier than traditional fabrication, enabling agile iterative design and facilitating rapid prototyping. This can make microfluidic technology more accessible to researchers in various fields and accelerates innovation in the field of microfluidics. Accordingly, this Special Issue seeks to showcase research papers, short communications, and review articles that focus on novel methodological developments in 3D printing and its use for various biochemical and biomedical applications.

Prof. Dr. Savas Tasoglu
Prof. Dr. Albert Folch
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Cytotoxicity
  • Microfluidics
  • Photochemistry
  • Polymerization

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 137 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for the Special Issue on 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices
by Savas Tasoglu and Albert Folch
Micromachines 2018, 9(11), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9110609 - 21 Nov 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2885
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has revolutionized the microfabrication prototyping workflow over the past few years. [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

15 pages, 2779 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Reusability of 3D-Printed Photopolymer Microfluidic Chips for Urine Processing
by Eric Lepowsky, Reza Amin and Savas Tasoglu
Micromachines 2018, 9(10), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9100520 - 15 Oct 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4494
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is emerging as a method for microfluidic device fabrication boasting facile and low-cost fabrication, as compared to conventional fabrication approaches, such as photolithography, for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) counterparts. Additionally, there is an increasing trend in the development and implementation of miniaturized [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is emerging as a method for microfluidic device fabrication boasting facile and low-cost fabrication, as compared to conventional fabrication approaches, such as photolithography, for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) counterparts. Additionally, there is an increasing trend in the development and implementation of miniaturized and automatized devices for health monitoring. While nonspecific protein adsorption by PDMS has been studied as a limitation for reusability, the protein adsorption characteristics of 3D-printed materials have not been well-studied or characterized. With these rationales in mind, we study the reusability of 3D-printed microfluidics chips. Herein, a 3D-printed cleaning chip, consisting of inlets for the sample, cleaning solution, and air, and a universal outlet, is presented to assess the reusability of a 3D-printed microfluidic device. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used a representative urinary protein and phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) was chosen as the cleaning agent. Using the 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) fluorescence detection method, the protein cross-contamination between samples and the protein uptake of the cleaning chip were assessed, demonstrating a feasible 3D-printed chip design and cleaning procedure to enable reusable microfluidic devices. The performance of the 3D-printed cleaning chip for real urine sample handling was then validated using a commercial dipstick assay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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16 pages, 1703 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of a Malaria-Ab ELISA Bioassay Platform with Utilization of Syringe-Based and 3D Printed Assay Automation
by Christopher Lim, Yangchung Lee and Lawrence Kulinsky
Micromachines 2018, 9(10), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9100502 - 02 Oct 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3754
Abstract
We report on the fabrication of a syringe-based platform for automation of a colorimetric malaria-Ab assay. We assembled this platform from inexpensive disposable plastic syringes, plastic tubing, easily-obtainable servomotors, and an Arduino microcontroller chip, which allowed for system automation. The automated system can [...] Read more.
We report on the fabrication of a syringe-based platform for automation of a colorimetric malaria-Ab assay. We assembled this platform from inexpensive disposable plastic syringes, plastic tubing, easily-obtainable servomotors, and an Arduino microcontroller chip, which allowed for system automation. The automated system can also be fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) to print elastomeric reservoirs (used instead of syringes), while platform framework, including rack and gears, can be printed with fused deposition modeling (FDM). We report on the optimization of FDM and SLA print parameters, as well as post-production processes. A malaria-Ab colorimetric test was successfully run on the automated platform, with most of the assay reagents dispensed from syringes. Wash solution was dispensed from an SLA-printed elastomeric reservoir to demonstrate the feasibility of both syringe and elastomeric reservoir-based approaches. We tested the platform using a commercially available malaria-Ab colorimetric assay originally designed for spectroscopic plate readers. Unaided visual inspection of the assay solution color change was sufficient for qualitative detection of positive and negative samples. A smart phone application can also be used for quantitative measurement of the assay color change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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12 pages, 2872 KiB  
Article
A 3D-Printed Millifluidic Platform Enabling Bacterial Preconcentration and DNA Purification for Molecular Detection of Pathogens in Blood
by Yonghee Kim, Jinyeop Lee and Sungsu Park
Micromachines 2018, 9(9), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9090472 - 17 Sep 2018
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5306
Abstract
Molecular detection of pathogens in clinical samples often requires pretreatment techniques, including immunomagnetic separation and magnetic silica-bead-based DNA purification to obtain the purified DNA of pathogens. These two techniques usually rely on handling small tubes containing a few millilitres of the sample and [...] Read more.
Molecular detection of pathogens in clinical samples often requires pretreatment techniques, including immunomagnetic separation and magnetic silica-bead-based DNA purification to obtain the purified DNA of pathogens. These two techniques usually rely on handling small tubes containing a few millilitres of the sample and manual operation, implying that an automated system encompassing both techniques is needed for larger quantities of the samples. Here, we report a three-dimensional (3D)-printed millifluidic platform that enables bacterial preconcentration and genomic DNA (gDNA) purification for improving the molecular detection of target pathogens in blood samples. The device consists of two millichannels and one chamber, which can be used to preconcentrate pathogens bound to antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (Ab-MNPs) and subsequently extract gDNA using magnetic silica beads (MSBs) in a sequential manner. The platform was able to preconcentrate very low concentrations (1–1000 colony forming units (CFU)) of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and extract their genomic DNA in 10 mL of buffer and 10% blood within 30 min. The performance of the platform was verified by detecting as low as 1 CFU of E. coli O157:H7 in 10% blood using either polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with post gel electrophoresis or quantitative PCR. The results suggest that the 3D-printed millifluidic platform is highly useful for lowering the limitations on molecular detection in blood by preconcentrating the target pathogen and isolating its DNA in a large volume of the sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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12 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
3D Printed Microfluidic Features Using Dose Control in X, Y, and Z Dimensions
by Michael J. Beauchamp, Hua Gong, Adam T. Woolley and Gregory P. Nordin
Micromachines 2018, 9(7), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9070326 - 28 Jun 2018
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4268
Abstract
Interest has grown in recent years to leverage the possibilities offered by three-dimensional (3D) printing, such as rapid iterative changes; the ability to more fully use 3D device volume; and ease of fabrication, especially as it relates to the creation of complex microfluidic [...] Read more.
Interest has grown in recent years to leverage the possibilities offered by three-dimensional (3D) printing, such as rapid iterative changes; the ability to more fully use 3D device volume; and ease of fabrication, especially as it relates to the creation of complex microfluidic devices. A major shortcoming of most commercially available 3D printers is that their resolution is not sufficient to produce features that are truly microfluidic (<100 × 100 μm2). Here, we test a custom 3D printer for making ~30 μm scale positive and negative surface features, as well as positive and negative features within internal voids (i.e., microfluidic channels). We found that optical dosage control is essential for creating the smallest microfluidic features (~30 µm wide for ridges, ~20 µm wide for trenches), and that this resolution was achieved for a number of different exposure approaches. Additionally, we printed various microfluidic particle traps, showed capture of 25 µm diameter polymer beads, and iteratively improved the trap design. The rapid feedback allowed by 3D printing, as well as the ability to carefully control optical exposure conditions, should lead to new innovations in the types and sizes of devices that can be created for microfluidics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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11 pages, 3184 KiB  
Article
3D-Printed Capillary Circuits for Calibration-Free Viscosity Measurement of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids
by Sein Oh and Sungyoung Choi
Micromachines 2018, 9(7), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9070314 - 21 Jun 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4951
Abstract
Measuring viscosity is important for the quality assurance of liquid products, as well as for monitoring the viscosity of clinical fluids as a potential hemodynamic biomarker. However, conventional viscometers and their microfluidic counterparts typically rely on bulky and expensive equipment, and lack the [...] Read more.
Measuring viscosity is important for the quality assurance of liquid products, as well as for monitoring the viscosity of clinical fluids as a potential hemodynamic biomarker. However, conventional viscometers and their microfluidic counterparts typically rely on bulky and expensive equipment, and lack the ability for rapid and field-deployable viscosity analysis. To address these challenges, we describe 3D-printed capillary circuits (3D-CCs) for equipment- and calibration-free viscosity measurement of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. A syringe, modified with an air chamber serving as a pressure buffer, generates and maintains a set pressure to drive the pressure-driven flows of test fluids through the 3D-CCs. The graduated fluidic chambers of the 3D-CCs serve as a flow meter, enabling simple measurement of the flow rates of the test fluids flowing through the 3D-CCs, which is readable with the naked eye. The viscosities of the test fluids can be simply calculated from the measured flow rates under a set pressure condition without the need for peripheral equipment and calibration. We demonstrate the multiplexing capability of the 3D-CC platform by simultaneously measuring different Newtonian-fluid samples. Further, we demonstrate that the shear-rate dependence of the viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid can be analyzed simultaneously under various shear-rate conditions with the 3D-CC platform. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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12 pages, 3483 KiB  
Article
Open Design 3D-Printable Adjustable Micropipette that Meets the ISO Standard for Accuracy
by Martin D. Brennan, Fahad F. Bokhari and David T. Eddington
Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040191 - 18 Apr 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9553
Abstract
Scientific communities are drawn to the open source model as an increasingly utilitarian method to produce and share work. Initially used as a means to develop freely-available software, open source projects have been applied to hardware including scientific tools. Increasing convenience of 3D [...] Read more.
Scientific communities are drawn to the open source model as an increasingly utilitarian method to produce and share work. Initially used as a means to develop freely-available software, open source projects have been applied to hardware including scientific tools. Increasing convenience of 3D printing has fueled the proliferation of open labware projects aiming to develop and share designs for scientific tools that can be produced in-house as inexpensive alternatives to commercial products. We present our design of a micropipette that is assembled from 3D-printable parts and some hardware that works by actuating a disposable syringe to a user-adjustable limit. Graduations on the syringe are used to accurately adjust the set point to the desired volume. Our open design printed micropipette is assessed in comparison with a commercial pipette and meets the ISO 8655 standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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10 pages, 1949 KiB  
Communication
Digital Manufacturing of Selective Porous Barriers in Microchannels Using Multi-Material Stereolithography
by Yong Tae Kim, Kurt Castro, Nirveek Bhattacharjee and Albert Folch
Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030125 - 14 Mar 2018
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6724
Abstract
We have developed a sequential stereolithographic co-printing process using two different resins for fabricating porous barriers in microfluidic devices. We 3D-printed microfluidic channels with a resin made of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (MW = 258) (PEG-DA-258), a UV photoinitiator, and a UV sensitizer. The [...] Read more.
We have developed a sequential stereolithographic co-printing process using two different resins for fabricating porous barriers in microfluidic devices. We 3D-printed microfluidic channels with a resin made of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (MW = 258) (PEG-DA-258), a UV photoinitiator, and a UV sensitizer. The porous barriers were created within the microchannels in a different resin made of either PEG-DA (MW = 575) (PEG-DA-575) or 40% (w/w in water) PEG-DA (MW = 700) (40% PEG-DA-700). We showed selective hydrogen ion diffusion across a 3D-printed PEG-DA-575 porous barrier in a cross-channel diffusion chip by observing color changes in phenol red, a pH indicator. We also demonstrated the diffusion of fluorescein across a 3D-printed 40% PEG-DA-700 porous barrier in a symmetric-channel diffusion chip by measuring fluorescence intensity changes across the porous barrier. Creating microfluidic chips with integrated porous barriers using a semi-automated 3D printing process shortens the design and processing time, avoids assembly and bonding complications, and reduces manufacturing costs compared to micromolding processes. We believe that our digital manufacturing method for fabricating selective porous barriers provides an inexpensive, simple, convenient and reproducible route to molecule delivery in the fields of molecular filtration and cell-based microdevices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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11 pages, 3781 KiB  
Article
Highly Fluorinated Methacrylates for Optical 3D Printing of Microfluidic Devices
by Frederik Kotz, Patrick Risch, Dorothea Helmer and Bastian E. Rapp
Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030115 - 08 Mar 2018
Cited by 46 | Viewed by 8310
Abstract
Highly fluorinated perfluoropolyether (PFPE) methacrylates are of great interest for transparent and chemically resistant microfluidic chips. However, so far only a few examples of material formulations for three-dimensional (3D) printing of these polymers have been demonstrated. In this paper we show that microfluidic [...] Read more.
Highly fluorinated perfluoropolyether (PFPE) methacrylates are of great interest for transparent and chemically resistant microfluidic chips. However, so far only a few examples of material formulations for three-dimensional (3D) printing of these polymers have been demonstrated. In this paper we show that microfluidic chips can be printed using these highly fluorinated polymers by 3D stereolithography printing. We developed photocurable resin formulations that can be printed in commercial benchtop stereolithography printers. We demonstrate that the developed formulations can be printed with minimal cross-sectional area of 600 µm for monolithic embedded microfluidic channels and 200 µm for open structures. The printed and polymerized PFPE methacrylates show a good transmittance above 70% at wavelengths between 520–900 nm and a high chemical resistance when being exposed to organic solvents. Microfluidic mixers were printed to demonstrate the great variability of different designs that can be printed using stereolithography. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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Graphical abstract

11 pages, 1610 KiB  
Article
Microfluidics: A New Layer of Control for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing
by Ludovic Serex, Arnaud Bertsch and Philippe Renaud
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020086 - 16 Feb 2018
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 7993
Abstract
Advances in 3D printing have enabled the use of this technology in a growing number of fields, and have started to spark the interest of biologists. Having the particularity of being cell friendly and allowing multimaterial deposition, extrusion-based 3D printing has been shown [...] Read more.
Advances in 3D printing have enabled the use of this technology in a growing number of fields, and have started to spark the interest of biologists. Having the particularity of being cell friendly and allowing multimaterial deposition, extrusion-based 3D printing has been shown to be the method of choice for bioprinting. However as biologically relevant constructs often need to be of high resolution and high complexity, new methods are needed, to provide an improved level of control on the deposited biomaterials. In this paper, we demonstrate how microfluidics can be used to add functions to extrusion 3D printers, which widens their field of application. Micromixers can be added to print heads to perform the last-second mixing of multiple components just before resin dispensing, which can be used for the deposition of new polymeric or composite materials, as well as for bioprinting new materials with tailored properties. The integration of micro-concentrators in the print heads allows a significant increase in cell concentration in bioprinting. The addition of rapid microfluidic switching as well as resolution increase through flow focusing are also demonstrated. Those elementary implementations of microfluidic functions for 3D printing pave the way for more complex applications enabling new prospects in 3D printing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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12 pages, 8846 KiB  
Article
3D Printing Solutions for Microfluidic Chip-To-World Connections
by Sander Van den Driesche, Frieder Lucklum, Frank Bunge and Michael J. Vellekoop
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020071 - 06 Feb 2018
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 9029
Abstract
The connection of microfluidic devices to the outer world by tubes and wires is an underestimated issue. We present methods based on 3D printing to realize microfluidic chip holders with reliable fluidic and electric connections. The chip holders are constructed by microstereolithography, an [...] Read more.
The connection of microfluidic devices to the outer world by tubes and wires is an underestimated issue. We present methods based on 3D printing to realize microfluidic chip holders with reliable fluidic and electric connections. The chip holders are constructed by microstereolithography, an additive manufacturing technique with sub-millimeter resolution. The fluidic sealing between the chip and holder is achieved by placing O-rings, partly integrated into the 3D-printed structure. The electric connection of bonding pads located on microfluidic chips is realized by spring-probes fitted within the printed holder. Because there is no gluing or wire bonding necessary, it is easy to change the chip in the measurement setup. The spring probes and O-rings are aligned automatically because of their fixed position within the holder. In the case of bioanalysis applications such as cells, a limitation of 3D-printed objects is the leakage of cytotoxic residues from the printing material, cured resin. This was solved by coating the 3D-printed structures with parylene-C. The combination of silicon/glass microfluidic chips fabricated with highly-reliable clean-room technology and 3D-printed chip holders for the chip-to-world connection is a promising solution for applications where biocompatibility, optical transparency and accurate sample handling must be assured. 3D printing technology for such applications will eventually arise, enabling the fabrication of complete microfluidic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

22 pages, 7337 KiB  
Review
3D-Printed Biosensor Arrays for Medical Diagnostics
by Mohamed Sharafeldin, Abby Jones and James F. Rusling
Micromachines 2018, 9(8), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9080394 - 07 Aug 2018
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 10967
Abstract
While the technology is relatively new, low-cost 3D printing has impacted many aspects of human life. 3D printers are being used as manufacturing tools for a wide variety of devices in a spectrum of applications ranging from diagnosis to implants to external prostheses. [...] Read more.
While the technology is relatively new, low-cost 3D printing has impacted many aspects of human life. 3D printers are being used as manufacturing tools for a wide variety of devices in a spectrum of applications ranging from diagnosis to implants to external prostheses. The ease of use, availability of 3D-design software and low cost has made 3D printing an accessible manufacturing and fabrication tool in many bioanalytical research laboratories. 3D printers can print materials with varying density, optical character, strength and chemical properties that provide the user with a vast array of strategic options. In this review, we focus on applications in biomedical diagnostics and how this revolutionary technique is facilitating the development of low-cost, sensitive, and often geometrically complex tools. 3D printing in the fabrication of microfluidics, supporting equipment, and optical and electronic components of diagnostic devices is presented. Emerging diagnostics systems using 3D bioprinting as a tool to incorporate living cells or biomaterials into 3D printing is also reviewed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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20 pages, 547 KiB  
Review
3D-Printed Chips: Compatibility of Additive Manufacturing Photopolymeric Substrata with Biological Applications
by Megan Carve and Donald Wlodkowic
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020091 - 23 Feb 2018
Cited by 82 | Viewed by 7832
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) is ideal for building adaptable, structurally complex, three-dimensional, monolithic lab-on-chip (LOC) devices from only a computer design file. Consequently, it has potential to advance micro- to milllifluidic LOC design, prototyping, and production and further its application in areas of biomedical [...] Read more.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is ideal for building adaptable, structurally complex, three-dimensional, monolithic lab-on-chip (LOC) devices from only a computer design file. Consequently, it has potential to advance micro- to milllifluidic LOC design, prototyping, and production and further its application in areas of biomedical and biological research. However, its application in these areas has been hampered due to material biocompatibility concerns. In this review, we summarise commonly used AM techniques: vat polymerisation and material jetting. We discuss factors influencing material biocompatibility as well as methods to mitigate material toxicity and thus promote its application in these research fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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Other

19 pages, 15612 KiB  
Perspective
Emerging Anti-Fouling Methods: Towards Reusability of 3D-Printed Devices for Biomedical Applications
by Eric Lepowsky and Savas Tasoglu
Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040196 - 20 Apr 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7728
Abstract
Microfluidic devices are used in a myriad of biomedical applications such as cancer screening, drug testing, and point-of-care diagnostics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a low-cost, rapid prototyping, efficient fabrication method, as compared to the costly—in terms of time, labor, and resources—traditional fabrication method [...] Read more.
Microfluidic devices are used in a myriad of biomedical applications such as cancer screening, drug testing, and point-of-care diagnostics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a low-cost, rapid prototyping, efficient fabrication method, as compared to the costly—in terms of time, labor, and resources—traditional fabrication method of soft lithography of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Various 3D printing methods are applicable, including fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and photopolymer inkjet printing. Additionally, several materials are available that have low-viscosity in their raw form and, after printing and curing, exhibit high material strength, optical transparency, and biocompatibility. These features make 3D-printed microfluidic chips ideal for biomedical applications. However, for developing devices capable of long-term use, fouling—by nonspecific protein absorption and bacterial adhesion due to the intrinsic hydrophobicity of most 3D-printed materials—presents a barrier to reusability. For this reason, there is a growing interest in anti-fouling methods and materials. Traditional and emerging approaches to anti-fouling are presented in regard to their applicability to microfluidic chips, with a particular interest in approaches compatible with 3D-printed chips. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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11 pages, 15810 KiB  
Technical Note
Characterization of 3D-Printed Moulds for Soft Lithography of Millifluidic Devices
by Nurul Mohd Fuad, Megan Carve, Jan Kaslin and Donald Wlodkowic
Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030116 - 08 Mar 2018
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7784
Abstract
Increased demand for inexpensive and rapid prototyping methods for micro- and millifluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices has stimulated considerable interest in alternative cost-effective fabrication techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM)—also called three-dimensional (3D) printing—provides an attractive alternative to conventional fabrication techniques. AM has been used to [...] Read more.
Increased demand for inexpensive and rapid prototyping methods for micro- and millifluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices has stimulated considerable interest in alternative cost-effective fabrication techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM)—also called three-dimensional (3D) printing—provides an attractive alternative to conventional fabrication techniques. AM has been used to produce LOC master moulds from which positive replicas are made using soft-lithography and a biocompatible elastomer, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Here we characterize moulds made using two AM methods—stereolithography (SLA) and material-jetting (MJ)—and the positive replicas produced by soft lithography and PDMS moulding. The results showed that SLA, more than MJ, produced finer part resolution and finer tuning of feature geometry. Furthermore, as assessed by zebrafish (Danio rerio) biotoxicity tests, there was no toxicity observed in SLA and MJ moulded PDMS replicas. We conclude that SLA, utilizing commercially available printers and resins, combined with PDMS soft-lithography, is a simple and easily accessible technique that lends its self particularly well to the fabrication of biocompatible millifluidic devices, highly suited to the in-situ analysis of small model organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices)
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