3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics

Ruitao Su; Jiaxuan Wen; Qun Su; Michael S. Wiederoder; Steven J. Koester; Joshua R. Uzarski; Michael C. McAlpine

doi:10.1126/sciadv.abc9846

3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics

Ruitao Su, Jiaxuan Wen, Qun Su, Michael S. Wiederoder, Steven J. Koester, Joshua R. Uzarski, Michael C. McAlpine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microfluidic devices fabricated via soft lithography have demonstrated compelling applications such as lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, DNA microarrays, and cell-based assays. These technologies could be further developed by directly integrating microfluidics with electronic sensors and curvilinear substrates as well as improved automation for higher throughput. Current additive manufacturing methods, such as stereolithography and multi-jet printing, tend to contaminate substrates with uncured resins or supporting materials during printing. Here, we present a printing methodology based on precisely extruding viscoelastic inks into self-supporting microchannels and chambers without requiring sacrificial materials. We demonstrate that, in the submillimeter regime, the yield strength of the as-extruded silicone ink is sufficient to prevent creep within a certain angular range. Printing toolpaths are specifically designed to realize leakage-free connections between channels and chambers, T-shaped intersections, and overlapping channels. The self-supporting microfluidic structures enable the automatable fabrication of multifunctional devices, including multimaterial mixers, microfluidic-integrated sensors, automation components, and 3D microfluidics.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	eabc9846
Journal	Science Advances
Volume	6
Issue number	41
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abc9846
State	Published - Oct 7 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank X. Ouyang for assisting in taking images during the bending and stretching tests. We thank Z. Zhu for assisting in the setup of microfluidic pump tests. We thank Z. Fuenning and S. H. Park for suggestions and feedback on the manuscript preparation. Funding: Research reported in this publication was sponsored by the Army Research Office, accomplished under Cooperative Agreement Number W911NF1820175 and basic research funding from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office or the U.S. government. The U.S. government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein. This work was also supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the NIH under Award Number DP2EB020537. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Further support came from the MnDRIVE program at the University of Minnesota. Confocal microscope imaging and analysis were performed at the University Imaging Centers at the University of Minnesota. Portions of this work were conducted in the Minnesota Nano Center, which is supported by the NSF through the National Nano Coordinated Infrastructure Network (award number ECCS-1542202).

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title = "3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics",

abstract = "Microfluidic devices fabricated via soft lithography have demonstrated compelling applications such as lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, DNA microarrays, and cell-based assays. These technologies could be further developed by directly integrating microfluidics with electronic sensors and curvilinear substrates as well as improved automation for higher throughput. Current additive manufacturing methods, such as stereolithography and multi-jet printing, tend to contaminate substrates with uncured resins or supporting materials during printing. Here, we present a printing methodology based on precisely extruding viscoelastic inks into self-supporting microchannels and chambers without requiring sacrificial materials. We demonstrate that, in the submillimeter regime, the yield strength of the as-extruded silicone ink is sufficient to prevent creep within a certain angular range. Printing toolpaths are specifically designed to realize leakage-free connections between channels and chambers, T-shaped intersections, and overlapping channels. The self-supporting microfluidic structures enable the automatable fabrication of multifunctional devices, including multimaterial mixers, microfluidic-integrated sensors, automation components, and 3D microfluidics.",

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note = "Funding Information: We thank X. Ouyang for assisting in taking images during the bending and stretching tests. We thank Z. Zhu for assisting in the setup of microfluidic pump tests. We thank Z. Fuenning and S. H. Park for suggestions and feedback on the manuscript preparation. Funding: Research reported in this publication was sponsored by the Army Research Office, accomplished under Cooperative Agreement Number W911NF1820175 and basic research funding from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office or the U.S. government. The U.S. government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein. This work was also supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the NIH under Award Number DP2EB020537. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Further support came from the MnDRIVE program at the University of Minnesota. Confocal microscope imaging and analysis were performed at the University Imaging Centers at the University of Minnesota. Portions of this work were conducted in the Minnesota Nano Center, which is supported by the NSF through the National Nano Coordinated Infrastructure Network (award number ECCS-1542202).",

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AU - Uzarski, Joshua R.

AU - McAlpine, Michael C.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank X. Ouyang for assisting in taking images during the bending and stretching tests. We thank Z. Zhu for assisting in the setup of microfluidic pump tests. We thank Z. Fuenning and S. H. Park for suggestions and feedback on the manuscript preparation. Funding: Research reported in this publication was sponsored by the Army Research Office, accomplished under Cooperative Agreement Number W911NF1820175 and basic research funding from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office or the U.S. government. The U.S. government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein. This work was also supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the NIH under Award Number DP2EB020537. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Further support came from the MnDRIVE program at the University of Minnesota. Confocal microscope imaging and analysis were performed at the University Imaging Centers at the University of Minnesota. Portions of this work were conducted in the Minnesota Nano Center, which is supported by the NSF through the National Nano Coordinated Infrastructure Network (award number ECCS-1542202).

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N2 - Microfluidic devices fabricated via soft lithography have demonstrated compelling applications such as lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, DNA microarrays, and cell-based assays. These technologies could be further developed by directly integrating microfluidics with electronic sensors and curvilinear substrates as well as improved automation for higher throughput. Current additive manufacturing methods, such as stereolithography and multi-jet printing, tend to contaminate substrates with uncured resins or supporting materials during printing. Here, we present a printing methodology based on precisely extruding viscoelastic inks into self-supporting microchannels and chambers without requiring sacrificial materials. We demonstrate that, in the submillimeter regime, the yield strength of the as-extruded silicone ink is sufficient to prevent creep within a certain angular range. Printing toolpaths are specifically designed to realize leakage-free connections between channels and chambers, T-shaped intersections, and overlapping channels. The self-supporting microfluidic structures enable the automatable fabrication of multifunctional devices, including multimaterial mixers, microfluidic-integrated sensors, automation components, and 3D microfluidics.

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3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

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Light Microscopy

Nikon A1RSI Confocal with SIM Super Resolution

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3D printed self-supporting elastomeric structures for multifunctional microfluidics

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Publisher link

Find It

Other files and links

Fingerprint

University Assets

Light Microscopy

Nikon A1RSI Confocal with SIM Super Resolution

University Imaging Centers

Cite this