Purdue University researchers have developed a new method for fabricating microfluidic devices using vat photopolymerization (VPP) technology. The patent-pending process allows for the creation of transparent devices with channels as small as 100 microns wide and 10 microns deep, approximately one-tenth the diameter of a human hair.
The technique utilizes liquid crystal display (LCD) technology and ultraviolet light to solidify photopolymers, offering an alternative to traditional fabrication methods. This approach eliminates the need for expensive equipment and cleanroom environments, potentially making microfluidic device production more accessible and cost-effective.
Current methods for producing microfluidic devices face several limitations. Traditional fabrication requires multiple steps and specialized facilities, while common 3D printing techniques like fused filament fabrication struggle to create channels narrower than 500 microns. The new VPP method addresses these constraints while maintaining high resolution and transparency.
The research team, led by Assistant Professor Huachao Mao from Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, has successfully demonstrated the technology’s capabilities in single-cell analysis applications. They have created channels capable of forming single lines of cancer cells and developed complex networks mimicking capillary connections.
The innovation has potential applications across multiple fields, including biomedical research, environmental testing, geology, and manufacturing. These microfluidic devices can analyze small material volumes at the microliter or nanoliter scale, enabling rapid and accurate diagnostic testing.
The research team is currently working on combining 3D printed microfluidic devices with conventional 2D microfluidics. The project, supported by the School of Engineering Technology, aims to leverage the advantages of both 3D printing and 2D nanofabrication methods.
Source: purdue.edu