Cost-effective rapid prototyping and assembly of poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic devices.

ABSTRACT: The difficulty in translating conventional microfluidics from laboratory prototypes to commercial products has shifted research efforts towards thermoplastic materials for their higher translational potential and amenability to industrial manufacturing. Here, we present an accessible method to fabricate and assemble polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic devices in a "mask-less" and cost-effective manner that can be applied to manufacture a wide range of designs due to its versatility. Laser micromachining offers high flexibility in channel dimensions and morphology by controlling the laser properties, while our two-step surface treatment based on exposure to acetone vapour and low-temperature annealing enables improvement of the surface quality without deformation of the device. Fina

SUBMITTER: Matellan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5934357 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature