Monolithic multilayer microfluidics via sacrificial molding of 3D-printed isomalt

Gelber, Matthew K.; Bhargava, Rohit

doi:10.1039/c4lc01392a

Cited by 75 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Atala and co-workers used FDM to print human-scale engineered tissue constructs with patterns of poly-caprolactone and cell-laden hydrogel and a sacrificial polymer Pluronic F-127, which was later dissolved to form 500 μm × 300 μm microchannels for facilitating nutrient diffusion to the cells 70 . Bhargava’s group employed the same approach to make a microfluidic channel network in agarose by extruding isomalt, a sugar alcohol with a glass transition temperature of 55°C, as the sacrificial scaffold, which dissolved when surrounded by the agarose hydrogel 71 (Figure 6D). Similarly, a 3D microchannel network in PDMS was built by curing PDMS around a FDM-printed ABS channel network, which was later dissolved in acetone 72 .…”

Section: 3d-printed Microfluidic Systems Come In Different Flavorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The upcoming 3D-printing revolution in microfluidics

et al. 2016

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In the last two decades, the vast majority of microfluidic systems have been built in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) by soft lithography, a technique based on PDMS micromolding. A long list of key PDMS properties have contributed to the success of soft lithography: PDMS is biocompatible, elastomeric, transparent, gas-permeable, water-impermeable, fairly inexpensive, copyright-free, and rapidly prototyped with high precision using simple procedures. However, the fabrication process typically involves substantial human labor, which tends to make PDMS devices difficult to disseminate outside of research labs, and the layered molding limits the 3D complexity of the devices that can be produced. 3D-printing has recently attracted attention as a way to fabricate microfluidic systems due to its automated, assembly-free 3D fabrication, rapidly decreasing costs, and fast-improving resolution and throughput. Resins with properties approaching those of PDMS are being developed. Here we review past and recent efforts in 3D-printing of microfluidic systems. We compare the salient features of PDMS molding with those of 3D-printing and we give an overview of the critical barriers that have prevented the adoption of 3D-printing by microfluidic developers, namely resolution, throughput, and resin biocompatibility. We also evaluate the various forces that are persuading researchers to abandon PDMS molding in favor of 3D-printing in growing numbers.

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Section: 3d-printed Microfluidic Systems Come In Different Flavorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…68 by permission from macmillan publishers ltd: nature materials, copyright 2003. panel (c) is reprinted from ref. 69 by permission from macmillan publishers ltd: nature materials, copyright 2012. panel (d) is reproduced from ref. 71 with permission of the royal society of chemistry.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

The upcoming 3D-printing revolution in microfluidics

et al. 2016

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“…This monolithic approach is of interest, as recently highlighted [4][5][6], especially for handling fluids, as leakage is prevented thanks to the promotion of device integration, to the reduction of components and to the consequent elimination of joints between parts. As perceived from the aforementioned references, there is a growing concern towards more integrated design and manufacturing procedures linked to these engineering systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monolithic 3D labs- and organs-on-chips obtained by lithography-based ceramic manufacture

Lantada

Romero

Schwentenwein³

et al. 2017

Int J Adv Manuf Technol

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In this study, we present a novel approach for the design and development of three-dimensional monolithic ceramic microsystems with complex geometries and with potential applications in the biomedical field, mainly linked to labson-chips and organs-on-chips. The microsystem object of study stands out for its having a complex three-dimensional geometry, for being obtained as a single integrated element, hence reducing components, preventing leakage and avoiding post-processes, and for having a cantilever porous ceramic membrane aimed at separating cell culture chambers at different levels, which imitates the typical configuration of transwell assays. The design has been performed taking account of the special features of the manufacturing technology and includes ad hoc incorporated supporting elements, which do not affect overall performance, for avoiding collapse of the cantilever ceramic membrane during debinding and sintering. The manufacture of the complex three-dimensional microsystem has been accomplished by means of lithography-based ceramic manufacture, the additive manufacturing technology which currently provides the most appealing compromises between overall part size and precision when working with ceramic materials. The microsystem obtained provides one of the most remarkable examples of monolithic bio-microsystems and, to our knowledge, a step forward in the field of ceramic microsystems with complex geometries for lab-on-chip and organ-on-chip applications. Cell culture results help to highlight the potential of the proposed approach and the adequacy of using ceramic materials for biological applications and for interacting at a cellular level.

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“…Hwang et al 41,42 have developed printed molds that are enveloped by PDMS and then withdrawn after curing, relying on the flexibility of PDMS to remove the components. Although similar to fugitive ink processes [43][44][45] , fugitive ink molding has fewer geometric constraints but requires a printing step for every final device, whereas solid internal structures must be designed for withdrawal but can be reused 23,41,42 . Chan et al 46 have fabricated molds with overhangs in a basket weave pattern, which can be used to generate microfluidic vias and valving in a single step, repairing demolding damage by thermally healing the PDMS, with the restriction that the vias be designed in parallel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid assembly of multilayer microfluidic structures via 3D-printed transfer molding and bonding

et al. 2016

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A critical feature of state-of-the-art microfluidic technologies is the ability to fabricate multilayer structures without relying on the expensive equipment and facilities required by soft lithography-defined processes. Here, three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer molds are used to construct multilayer poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) devices by employing unique molding, bonding, alignment, and rapid assembly processes. Specifically, a novel single-layer, two-sided molding method is developed to realize two channel levels, non-planar membranes/valves, vertical interconnects (vias) between channel levels, and integrated inlet/outlet ports for fast linkages to external fluidic systems. As a demonstration, a single-layer membrane microvalve is constructed and tested by applying various gate pressures under parametric variation of source pressure, illustrating a high degree of flow rate control. In addition, multilayer structures are fabricated through an intralayer bonding procedure that uses custom 3D-printed stamps to selectively apply uncured liquid PDMS adhesive only to bonding interfaces without clogging fluidic channels. Using integrated alignment marks to accurately position both stamps and individual layers, this technique is demonstrated by rapidly assembling a six-layer microfluidic device. By combining the versatility of 3D printing while retaining the favorable mechanical and biological properties of PDMS, this work can potentially open up a new class of manufacturing techniques for multilayer microfluidic systems.

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Monolithic multilayer microfluidics via sacrificial molding of 3D-printed isomalt

Cited by 75 publications

References 29 publications

The upcoming 3D-printing revolution in microfluidics

The upcoming 3D-printing revolution in microfluidics

Monolithic 3D labs- and organs-on-chips obtained by lithography-based ceramic manufacture

Rapid assembly of multilayer microfluidic structures via 3D-printed transfer molding and bonding

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