Fabrication Methods for Microfluidic Devices: An Overview

Scott, Simon M.; Ali, Zulfiqur

doi:10.3390/mi12030319

Cited by 238 publications

(201 citation statements)

References 232 publications

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“…The latest photocuring 3DP technique, LCD printing, offers advantages such as affordable printers and good resolution [ 36 ]. Vat polymerisation allows for impressively small flow channel cross sections, but nevertheless wider channel dimensions were used in this work since it is often difficult to remove resin from the channels when their width is limited [ 37 ]. In addition, this study demonstrated that the developed microfluidic devices allow for the production of liposomes comparable in size to those produced using a commercial device.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manufacturing of 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for the Synthesis of Drug-Loaded Liposomal Formulations

Ballacchino

Weaver

Mathew

et al. 2021

IJMS

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Microfluidic technique has emerged as a promising tool for the production of stable and monodispersed nanoparticles (NPs). In particular, this work focuses on liposome production by microfluidics and on factors involved in determining liposome characteristics. Traditional fabrication techniques for microfluidic devices suffer from several disadvantages, such as multistep processing and expensive facilities. Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has been revolutionary for microfluidic device production, boasting facile and low-cost fabrication. In this study, microfluidic devices with innovative micromixing patterns were developed using fused deposition modelling (FDM) and liquid crystal display (LCD) printers. To date, this work is the first to study liposome production using LCD-printed microfluidic devices. The current study deals with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) liposomes with cholesterol (2:1) prepared using commercial and 3D-printed microfluidic devices. We evaluated the effect of microfluidic parameters, chip manufacturing, material, and channel design on liposomal formulation by analysing the size, PDI, and ζ-potential. Curcumin exhibits potent anticancer activity and it has been reported that curcumin-loaded liposomes formulated by microfluidics show enhanced encapsulation efficiency when compared with other reported systems. In this work, curcumal liposomes were produced using the developed microfluidic devices and particle sizing, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release studies were performed at 37 °C.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manufacturing of 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for the Synthesis of Drug-Loaded Liposomal Formulations

Ballacchino

Weaver

Mathew

et al. 2021

IJMS

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“…Terminals with desktop CNC micro-milling machines may, for instance, cost several thousand USD for basic versions or up to USD 100 k for high-end devices [ 10 , 11 , 41 ]. The prices of laser engraving stations depend on the power and quality of the laser optics and sophisticated desktop versions of heavy-duty CO 2 lasers for microchannel fabrication cost a few thousand USD or more, depending on the device specification [ 43 ]. Obviously, more highly priced systems will have the advantage of advanced technical specifications, and they may, for instance, incorporate a compact system enclosure, machine cabinet air filtering and cabinet and drilling stage temperature control, automatic tool change (ATC), auto-bed leveling and calibration, multiple nozzle printing, multiple axis milling, and hard- and software adaptations, permitting more complex 3D printing and micro-milling operations and the reduction of overall fabrication time.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Low-Cost 3-in-1 3D Printer as a Tool for the Fabrication of Flow-Through Channels of Microfluidic Systems

Thaweskulchai

Schulte

2021

Micromachines

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Recently published studies have shown that microfluidic devices fabricated by in-house three-dimensional (3D) printing, computer numerical control (CNC) milling and laser engraving have a good quality of performance. The 3-in-1 3D printers, desktop machines that integrate the three primary functions in a single user-friendly set-up are now available for computer-controlled adaptable surface processing, for less than USD 1000. Here, we demonstrate that 3-in-1 3D printer-based micromachining is an effective strategy for creating microfluidic devices and an easier and more economical alternative to, for instance, conventional photolithography. Our aim was to produce plastic microfluidic chips with engraved microchannel structures or micro-structured plastic molds for casting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chips with microchannel imprints. The reproducability and accuracy of fabrication of microfluidic chips with straight, crossed line and Y-shaped microchannel designs were assessed and their microfluidic performance checked by liquid stream tests. All three fabrication methods of the 3-in-1 3D printer produced functional microchannel devices with adequate solution flow. Accordingly, 3-in-1 3D printers are recommended as cheap, accessible and user-friendly tools that can be operated with minimal training and little starting knowledge to successfully fabricate basic microfluidic devices that are suitable for educational work or rapid prototyping.

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“…As a result, the drive to improve treatment options to address these disadvantages has intensified in recent years. Other research [ 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 ] looked at the effect of the defects on the mechanical efficiency of FRC and subsequently discussed treatment options for removing or minimizing them to improve the functional properties of the fabricated parts. Since FRCs are made up of a polymeric matrix and a short or continuous fiber reinforcement, the analysis will go through the effects of AM parameters such as infill pattern, layer thickness, raster angle, and fiber orientation on both thermoplastic polymers and FRCs printed using FDM technology.…”

Section: Some Important Am Flowcharts and Algorithmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Brief Review on Additive Manufacturing of Polymeric Composites and Nanocomposites

et al. 2021

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In this research article, a mini-review study is performed on the additive manufacturing (AM) of the polymeric matrix composites (PMCs) and nanocomposites. In this regard, some methods for manufacturing and important and applied results are briefly introduced and presented. AM of polymeric matrix composites and nanocomposites has attracted great attention and is emerging as it can make extensively customized parts with appreciably modified and improved mechanical properties compared to the unreinforced polymer materials. However, some matters must be addressed containing reduced bonding of reinforcement and matrix, the slip between reinforcement and matrix, lower creep strength, void configurations, high-speed crack propagation, obstruction because of filler inclusion, enhanced curing time, simulation and modeling, and the cost of manufacturing. In this review, some selected and significant results regarding AM or three-dimensional (3D) printing of polymeric matrix composites and nanocomposites are summarized and discuss. In addition, this article discusses the difficulties in preparing composite feedstock filaments and printing issues with nanocomposites and short and continuous fiber composites. It is discussed how to print various thermoplastic composites ranging from amorphous to crystalline polymers. In addition, the analytical and numerical models used for simulating AM, including the Fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing process and estimating the mechanical properties of printed parts, are explained in detail. Particle, fiber, and nanomaterial-reinforced polymer composites are highlighted for their performance. Finally, key limitations are identified in order to stimulate further 3D printing research in the future.

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Fabrication Methods for Microfluidic Devices: An Overview

Cited by 238 publications

References 232 publications

Manufacturing of 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for the Synthesis of Drug-Loaded Liposomal Formulations

Manufacturing of 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for the Synthesis of Drug-Loaded Liposomal Formulations

A Low-Cost 3-in-1 3D Printer as a Tool for the Fabrication of Flow-Through Channels of Microfluidic Systems

A Brief Review on Additive Manufacturing of Polymeric Composites and Nanocomposites

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