Modifying Wicking Speeds in Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices by Laser-Etching.

ABSTRACT: Paper-based microfluidic devices are an attractive platform for developing low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic tools. As paper-based devices' detection chemistries become more complex, more complicated devices are required, often entailing the sequential delivery of different liquids or reagents to reaction zones. Most research into flow control has been focused on introducing delays. However, delaying the flow can be problematic due to increased evaporation leading to sample loss. We report the use of a CO2 laser to uniformly etch the surface of the paper to modify wicking speeds in paper-based microfluidic devices. This technique can produce both wicking speed increases of up to 1.1× faster and decreases of up to 0.9× slower. Wicking speeds can be further enhanced by etching both sides of

SUBMITTER: Kalish B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7463483 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature