High-resolution low-cost LCD 3D printing for microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices

Shafique, Houda; Karamzadeh, Vahid; Kim, Geunyong; Shen, Molly L.; Morocz, Yonatan; Sohrabi-Kashani, Ahmad; Juncker, David

doi:10.1039/d3lc01125a

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 48 publications

(88 reference statements)

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“…In contrast, liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printers are a more affordable option for entry-level micro uidic applications. LCD 3D printers are priced between 150-600 USD and offer high pixel resolutions of 4K, 8K, and even 12K, with pixel sizes ranging from 18-50 µm [27]. They can achieve feature resolutions down to 35 µm horizontally and 10 µm vertically by adjusting printing parameters such as layer thickness and curing time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dimension compensation of desktop LCD 3D printer for high-precision microfluidic applications

Zhang,

Liu,

Bao

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Recent advances in low-cost liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing have popularized its use in creating microfluidic master molds and complete devices. However, the quality and precision of these fabrications often fall short of the rigorous standards required for advanced microfluidic applications. This study introduces a novel approach to enhance the dimensional accuracy of microchannels produced using a desktop LCD 3D printer. We propose a method for dimension compensation, optimize the printing parameters, and provide a straightforward post-treatment technique to ensure high-quality curing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in master molds made from photosensitive resin. Our investigation assesses the precision of 3D printing across three different scales of square cross-section microchannels by measuring their widths and heights, leading to the determination of optimal layer thicknesses that minimize fabrication errors. The fabrication errors are further reduced by introducing a series of dimension compensation factors, which correct the nominal dimensions of the microchannels by using the compensation factors in 3D printing. The printing accuracy is significantly improved after compensation even in fabricating complex microchannels of triangular cross-sections. Finally, a spiral channel of trapezoidal-like cross-section with tilted edges is fabricated for microfluidic application, and highly efficient particle separation is realized in the channel. The proposed method provides new insights for utilizing desktop LCD 3D printers to achieve high-accuracy microstructures necessary for advanced microfluidic applications.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dimension compensation of desktop LCD 3D printer for high-precision microfluidic applications

Zhang,

Liu,

Bao

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Scanning‐Laser‐Based Microstereolithography of Microfluidic Chips with Micron Resolution

Rein,

Kamranikia,

Council

et al. 2024

Adv Materials Technologies

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The constant improvement of stereolithography (SL) in terms of achievable resolution and printing time has sparked high expectations that SL will enable the rapid prototyping of truly microfluidic chips with features below 100 µm. However, most commercial high‐resolution stereolithography devices are based on Digital Light Processing (DLP) and thus sacrifice lateral printing size for resolution. Consequently, even 10 years after the advent of microstereolithography there is no commercialized 3D printing system that can effectively fulfill all the demands to replace soft lithography for microfluidic prototyping. In this work, for the first time, This study demonstrates that a commercial laser‐based stereolithography device is capable of manufacturing microfluidic chips with embedded channels smaller than 100 µm with a footprint of 7.24 × 0.3 cm2. A chip fabricated in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) that can readily be used for fluid mixing, is presented in this study. This research shows that the accessibility of high‐resolution chips with footprints of several cm2, using laser‐based stereolithography, enables the manufacturing of truly microfluidic systems with high impact on prototyping and manufacturing.

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Poly(ethylene‐glycol)‐Dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) Composite for Stereolithographic Bioprinting

Chang,

Lee,

Sargur Ranganath

et al. 2024

Macro Materials & Eng

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Recent progress in additive manufacturing has enabled the application of stereolithography (SLA) in bioprinting to produce 3D biomimetic structures. Bioinks for SLA often require synthetic polymers as supplements to ensure the structural integrity of the printed cell‐laden constructs. High molecular weight (MW) poly(ethylene‐glycol)‐diacrylate (PEGDA) (MW ≥ 3400 Da) is commonly used to enhance the mechanical property of crosslinked hydrogels. However, the production of bioink with high MW PEGDA requires in‐house polymer synthesis or the acquisition of costly reagents, which may not be readily available in all laboratory settings. As an alternative to high MW PEGDA, this research investigated the use of poly(ethylene‐glycol)‐dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) (MW = 1000 Da) as a supplement of a bioink to enhance the mechanical properties of the SLA‐printed constructs. The successful demonstration showcases 1) the fabrication of 3D constructs with overhang and complex architecture, and 2) the cytocompatibility, with high cell viability of 71–87% over 6 days of culture, of the GelMA‐PEGDMA bioink to enable cell‐laden bioprinting. This study suggests PEGDMA as a viable supplement in the formulation of SLA bioink. The accessibility to PEGDMA will facilitate the advance in 3D bioprinting to fabricate complex bioinspired structures and tissue surrogates for biomedical applications.

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High-resolution low-cost LCD 3D printing for microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices

Abstract: The fabrication of microfluidic devices has progressed from cleanroom manufacturing to replica molding in polymers, and more recently to direct manufacturing by subtractive (e.g., laser machining) and additive (e.g., 3D...

Cited by 5 publications

References 48 publications

Dimension compensation of desktop LCD 3D printer for high-precision microfluidic applications

Dimension compensation of desktop LCD 3D printer for high-precision microfluidic applications

Scanning‐Laser‐Based Microstereolithography of Microfluidic Chips with Micron Resolution

Poly(ethylene‐glycol)‐Dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) Composite for Stereolithographic Bioprinting

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