Precision fabrication of flexible microfluidic circuits using direct laser rapid prototyping solution

Jaka Mur (Author), Aljaž Mikelj (Author), Boštjan Podobnik (Author), Rok Petkovšek (Author)

Abstract

An effective development platform for custom lab-on-a-chip and lab-on-a-foil solutions has been regarded as a missing element for wider adoption of microfluidic technologies in everyday life. We have used a direct laser structuring device combined with CAD-CAM software and have developed an efficient, fast, and precise procedure for rapid prototyping of widely accessible contemporary materials utilized for flexible microfluidics. Utilization of an ultra-short pulsed laser has enabled us to predict and control the laser ablation process on thin low-temperature co-fired ceramics and Kapton foil. We have demonstrated an agreement between the theoretic predictions and experimental data on ablation rates, paving the way to a fully predictive manufacturing process. Our procedure enables an independent control of microfluidic channel shape, depth, and lateral dimensions down to 10 %m, while maintaining an exceptional process quality achieved by a parametrically optimized laser output at single-picosecond pulse durations. Our novel rapid prototyping solution features short turnover times, minimum material waste, no chemical procedures, and a single-step process free of heat-effects. We demonstrate the improvements to the structuring process on a known difficult-to-manufacture herringbone mixer structures inside a micro-mixer chip application.

Keywords

ultra-fast laser processing;surface engineering;microfluidics;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2020
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
UDC:	544:532(045)
COBISS:	24398851
ISSN:	0960-1317
Views:	286
Downloads:	112
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	laserska obdelava z ultra-kratkimi pulzi;površinski pojavi;mikrofluidika;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Embargo end date (OpenAIRE):	2021-07-30
Pages:	str. 1-8
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ30
Issue:	ǂno. ǂ11
Chronology:	Nov. 2020
DOI:	10.1088/1361-6439/aba63f
ID:	12895791