Sucrose-based fabrication of 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic channels for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip and vaso-mimetic devices.

Lee, Jiwon; Paek, Jungwook; Kim, Jaeyoun · Lab Chip · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We present a new fabrication scheme for 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic (MF) channels based on shaping, bonding, and assembly of sucrose fibers. It is a simple, cleanroom-free, and environment-friendly method, ideal for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip devices. Despite its simplicity, it can realize complex 3D MF channel architectures such as cylindrical tapers, internal loops, end-to-side junctions, tapered junctions, and stenosis. The last two will be of special use for realizing vaso-mimetic MF structures. It also enables molding with polymers incompatible with high-temperature processing.