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:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
UDC: 544:532(045)
COBISS: 24398851 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0960-1317
Views: 1697
Downloads: 333
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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