Towards a low-cost production of monodispersed microbubbles using PCB-MEMS technology

Abstract

This paper describes the fabrication process of a three-dimensional flow focusing device using the PCB-MEMS technology to produce microbubbles with a controlled diameter. The proposed process involves the typical photolithographic steps used in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) fabrication and a low temperature bonding technique based on tin/lead alloy. The fabricated device can be considered as low-cost nebulizer thank to the materials and bonding technique used in the fabrication process. The experimental results provide a diameter of the produced microbubbles of 230 and 250 μm. These results fit the microbubble flow focusing theory that predicts 226.71 and 245.66 μm .

Printed Circuit Boards: The Layers’ Functions for Electronic and Biomedical Engineering

“…The PCB substrates can be used to fabricate flow-focusing devices. A three-dimensional flow-focusing device for microbubble generation was developed [ 235 ], as in Figure 20 . This device is fabricated using two single-copper-layer PCBs, where the copper lines are used for the microchannels and microchamber, and the vias are used for inserting the core and shell fluids, that is, gas and water, respectively.…”

“… Photograph of the flow-focusing device obtained after the manufacturing process (copyright (2011) IEEE. Reprinted, with permission, from [ 235 ]). …”