Kim G.M., Kim Y.H., Woo Y., Jung J., Choi J-R, Kim G.M., Kim Y.H., Kang B.K., Sohn J-W
Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, KR
Keywords: microfluidic chip, nanocomposite, PEG hydrogel
A thin and flexible microfluidic chip device using microstructured montmorillonite (MMT) reinforced polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanocomposite molds has been presented to apply miniaturized nanobio-chips. Biocompatible PEG hydrogel with 1-2 wt.% of MMT was used to fabricate environmentally friendly microchip molds. Micro-dot array or microchannel shaped stencils with microstructure patterns in the ranges of 50-700 µm pattern widths were prepared and used as a photomask. The MMT/PEG solution was photopolymerized by simply UV irradiation for 7 seconds at 26 mW/cm2 intensity. Then the microstructures of MMT/PEG hydrogel nanocomposites were obtained by removing the unreacted solution. The microstructured MMT/PEG molds were used to prepare a thin and flexible microfluidic chip. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution was placed on the microstructured mold. A doctor blade was used to remove excess PDMS solution on the microstructured mold. The thin PDMS replica, 300-500 µm height, of a microfluidic chip was obtained after peeled-off from the microstructured mold followed by polymerization. The PDMS replica was placed on a polyester film, 100 µm thickness, after plasma treatment. The flexible microfluidic chip was examined by sample manipulation. The present method is rapid and conventional to prepare a thin and flexible microfluidic chip for nanobio-chip applications.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Advanced Materials: TechConnect Briefs 2015
Published: June 14, 2015
Pages: 368 - 371
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4987-4727-1