Tuning three-dimensional (3D) shapes of polymeric microparticles by geometry-driven control of mold swelling and capillarity in micromolds

Ganguly, Reya; Choi, Yoon Young; Lee, Chang‐Soo; Choi, Chang‐Hyung

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2021.05.045

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…We have developed a straightforward micromolding method to overcome these challenges that utilizes surface-tension-induced flow. In the initial step, we fill polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micromolds with photocurable solutions. , When the wetting fluid is introduced onto the mold, it spatially deforms the confined photocurable solution. Subsequently, photopolymerization of the photocurable solutions forms uniform polymeric microparticles with controlled 3D curvature at the top, which can be either concave or convex depending on the surface energy balance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solvent-Free Fabrication of Anisotropic Microparticles with Precise 3D Shape Control Using Dipping-Based Micromolding

Ganguly,

Chu,

Lee

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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We present an innovative solvent-free micromolding technique for rapidly fabricating complex polymer microparticles with three-dimensional (3D) shapes utilizing a surface tension-induced dipping process. Our fabrication process involves loading a photocurable solution into micromolds through mold dipping. The loaded solution, induced by surface tension, undergoes spatial deformation upon mold removal caused by surface forces, ultimately acquiring an anisotropic shape before photopolymerization. Results show that the amount of photocurable solution loaded depends on the degree of capillary penetration, which can be adjusted by varying the dipping time and mold height. It enables the production of polymer particles with precisely controlled 3D shapes without diluting them with volatile organic solvents. Sequential micromolding enables the spatial stacking of the polymer domain through a bottom-up approach, facilitating the creation of complex multicompartmental microparticles with independently controlled compartments. Finally, we demonstrated the successful simultaneous conjugation of multiple model-fluorescent proteins through the biofunctionalization of microparticles, indicating functional stability and effective conjugation of hydrophilic molecules such as proteins. We also extend our capacity to create bicompartmental microparticles with distinct functionalities in each compartment, revealing spatially controlled functional structures. In summary, these findings demonstrate a straightforward, rapid, and reliable method for producing highly uniform complex particles with precise control over the 3D shape and compartmentalization, all accomplished without the use of organic solvents.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solvent-Free Fabrication of Anisotropic Microparticles with Precise 3D Shape Control Using Dipping-Based Micromolding

Ganguly,

Chu,

Lee

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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“…Currently, various methods have been proposed to synthesize nonspherical microparticles, including the template-based [11][12][13][14], electrohydrodynamic [15][16][17], optofluidic [18,19], and droplet microfluidic methods [20][21][22][23]. All these methods have advantages and limitations in different aspects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Static droplet array for the synthesis of nonspherical microparticles

et al. 2023

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We reported a manually operated static droplet array (SDA)-based device for the synthesis of nonspherical microparticles with different shapes. The improved SDA structure and reversible bonding between poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) were used in the device for the large-scale synthesis and rapid extraction of nonspherical microparticles. To understand the device physics, the effects of flow rate, SDA well size, and shape on droplet generation performances were explored. The results indicated that droplet generation in SDA structures was insensitive to the flow rate, and monodisperse droplets were generated by the SDA-based device through manually pushing the syringe. Finally, we integrated four kinds of SDA structures in one device and successfully realized the synthesis and extraction of nonspherical microparticles with different shapes and materials. Our SDA-based device offers numerous advantages, such as simple manual operation, low equipment cost, controllable microparticle shapes and sizes, and large-scale production. Thus, it holds the potential to be used as a flexible tool for the production of nonspherical microparticles.

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Interfacial deformation of confined photocurable fluid for fabrication of shape‐imprinted microspheres

Ganguly

Choi

Lee

2022

Journal of Polymer Science

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This study presents a simple route to fabricate shape imprinted microspheres and their application toward multiplex immunoassay. Specifically, a photocurable fluid (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, [PEGDA]) confined in a micromold results in drop formation due to mold swelling and capillarity upon addition of immiscible wetting fluid; during this formation, part of the photocurable fluid is entrapped at the swollen open end, thereby producing polymeric microspheres with controlled imprinted shapes on their surface upon photopolymerization. This approach is able to produce highly uniform microspheres with different imprinted shapes depending on mold geometry in a consistent manner; their size can also be tuned by varying mold dimensions. Furthermore, we impart amine‐reactive functional groups to the microsphere, which allows them to be functionalized efficiently. Lastly, we conjugate different capture antibodies on microspheres with different imprinted shapes, and these microspheres were demonstrated to be shape‐encoded suspension arrays for multiplex immunoassays. This technique provides high selectivity and a simple decoding method for biosensing applications.

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Tuning three-dimensional (3D) shapes of polymeric microparticles by geometry-driven control of mold swelling and capillarity in micromolds

Cited by 5 publications

References 48 publications

Solvent-Free Fabrication of Anisotropic Microparticles with Precise 3D Shape Control Using Dipping-Based Micromolding

Solvent-Free Fabrication of Anisotropic Microparticles with Precise 3D Shape Control Using Dipping-Based Micromolding

Static droplet array for the synthesis of nonspherical microparticles

Interfacial deformation of confined photocurable fluid for fabrication of shape‐imprinted microspheres

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