Recently, researchers from the Bio-Nano Laboratory at Wageningen University in the Netherlands used 3D printing technology to develop a new method for manufacturing microfluidic devices at a very simple and low cost. This approach eliminates the need to manufacture complex microfluidic devices without using expensive materials or clean room facilities. The technologists named Vittorio Saggiomo and Dr. Aldrik H. Velders named it ESCARGOT. In fact, the technology is not that complicated as it is basically to develop 3D, complex, multi-layer microdirrors based on monolayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using a 3D printer and ABS plastic.
It is understood that PDMS is the most popular laboratory microfluidic device manufacturing materials. However, there are several reasons why its use is limited. First, the typical microfluidic manufacturing method involves the cleanroom lithography of silicon wafers, a complex process that requires some level of expertise. Another obstacle to manufacturing PDMS is that traditional techniques require that several components be separately manufactured and then sealed together. Today, Saggiomo and Velders have designed a 3D printing solution that addresses both of these issues, and surprisingly it is simple and does not require the assembly of multiple parts.
The ESCARGOT technique works like this: First, a complex microfluidic channel is designed and then printed out in 3D with ABS material. The 3D-printed ABS parts were then placed in a Petri dish and poured into PDMS. After curing, the PDMS became a firm, gel-like state, while the ABS parts were embedded inside. This time, acetone was poured into the petri dish to completely dissolve the ABS, thus leaving a hollow channel inside the PDMS colloid. Finally, air is pumped into the passage to remove any excess material, and a standard microfluidic device is thus completed.
The ESCARGOT method has several advantages over the past: first, a clean room is no longer required; secondly, the lighting, heating or cooling elements can be added directly before the PDMS solidifies, making the process much easier; and finally, the process Is also very cheap, giving researchers plenty of opportunities for them to experiment with a wide variety of improvements.
However, it should be noted that while the use of 3D printers facilitates the fabrication of microfluidic devices by researchers, it is just the single biggest bottleneck for this technology. Because at present a 3D printer can print the thinnest layer thickness of 100 microns, Saggiomo and Velders sometimes need to create a more delicate structure. However, the channel size for most microfluidic devices today is often 100 or 200 microns, which is still within the reach of current 3D printers.
At present, the two researchers are constantly trying to improve their methods. They are building a fully functional microfluidic cartridge that integrates a controller and a supramolecular / nanoparticle-based sensor.
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