Novel fabrication method for rapid creation of channels using PDMS for microfluidic networks on planar substrates

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Description/Abstract

A novel and simple method for the rapid fabrication of microfluidic net-works is presented. A silicone elastomer (PDMS - poly(dimethylsiloxane)) is cured around formers, which are then removed post-cure, resulting in a microstructure suitable for fluidic applications. The limiting factors in the fabrication method are in the materials and tools used for the develop-ment of the formers. If the methods used cannot produce a structure of accurate di-mensions then the microstructure formed will be limited. For creating very narrow flu-idic channels, the material used needs to be strong so that even with narrow dimen-sions it can be removed without damage but the use of sacrificial materials has been investigated as this overcomes this re-quirement. The principle of the technique is demonstrated with an unusual material (caramelised sugar – which can be easily dissolved in water) to fabricate channels with diameters down to 16μm.