3D Printed Reconfigurable Modular Microfluidic System for Generating Gel Microspheres

Abstract

Integrated microfluidic systems afford extensive benefits for chemical and biological fields, yet traditional, monolithic methods of microfabrication restrict the design and assembly of truly complex systems. Here, a simple, reconfigurable and high fluid pressure modular microfluidic system is presented. The screw interconnects reversibly assemble each individual microfluidic module together. Screw connector provided leak-free fluidic communication, which could withstand fluid resistances up to 500 kPa between two interconnected microfluidic modules. A sample library of standardized components and connectors manufactured using 3D printing was developed. The capability for modular microfluidic system was demonstrated by generating sodium alginate gel microspheres. This 3D printed modular microfluidic system makes it possible to meet the needs of the end-user, and can be applied to bioassays, material synthesis, and other applications.

3D printed microfluidics: advances in strategies, integration, and applications

“…To avoid channel clogging and improve the device fabrication throughput, the community of 3D printed microfluidics has been actively studying an additive alternative that makes devices from separately printed components, which simplifies the postprocessing and circumvents the structural degradation during complex material removal. This modularized approach employs a "LEGO®-like" method for device construction and is capable of multiple printing modalities, realizing a wide range of functionalities such as autonomous components, 89,90 logic circuitry components, 91 spatial microfluidic networks, 92,93 organs-on-a-chip, 94,95 and sensors, 96 etc.…”

Accelerated Development of Colloidal Nanomaterials Enabled by Modular Microfluidic Reactors: Toward Autonomous Robotic Experimentation

“…Furthermore, modular and reconfigurable microfluidic systems have been demonstrated using 3D-printed microchannel components. [77][78][79] Regardless of the microreactor design, microscale fluidic platforms provide an adaptable, modular, and reconfigurable approach to reactor construction which can meet the physical/chemical demands of most nanomaterial syntheses.…”

Chemical-Resistant Green Luminescent Concentrator-Based Photo-Microreactor via One-Touch Assembly of 3D-Printed Modules

“…Desktop-based three-dimensional (3D) printers are widely used in the production of small complex devices beyond skillful labor and multiple-step methods, including soft lithography. In particular, a small module with high design flexibility was well suited for the facile assembly of multipurpose microfluidic devices. − Independently designed and validated modules eliminate the necessity of entire reconstruction upon failure of a monolithic system. − Especially, 3D printing technologies such as stereolithography apparatus (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) by curing various photocurable polymer resins are widely used to manufacture microfluidic devices with flexible design in a rapid prototyping and cost-effective manner.…”