Capillary flow layer-by-layer: a microfluidic platform for the high-throughput assembly and screening of nanolayered film libraries.

ABSTRACT: Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a powerful tool with increasing real world applications in energy, biomaterials, active surfaces, and membranes; however, the current state of the art requires individual sample construction using large quantities of material. Here we describe a technique using capillary flow within a microfluidic device to drive high-throughput assembly of LbL film libraries. This capillary flow layer-by-layer (CF-LbL) method significantly reduces material waste, improves quality control, and expands the potential applications of LbL into new research spaces. The method can be operated as a simple lab benchtop apparatus or combined with liquid-handling robotics to extend the library size. Here we describe and demonstrate the technique and establish its ability to recreate

SUBMITTER: Castleberry SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4133994 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature