A Method for Manufacturing Flexible Microfluidic Chip Based on Soluble Material
Table 1
Manufacturing steps and parameters.
Steps
The production process
Specific methods and parameters
Step 1
Printing the ABS framework
3D printing technology is employed to fabricate the ABS framework with the size of cm.
Step 2
Printing the HIPS mold and casting the PDMS
3D printing technology is utilized to manufacture the HIPS mold with the length of 0.8 cm and the cross-section size of . The PDMS solution is poured with a thickness of 0.3 mm and cured at 80 degrees.
Step 3
Placing the HIPS microchannel mold
The HIPS mold is placed on the PDMS surface. Heat curing is carried out with the temperature of 80 degrees and the time of 20 minutes.
Step 4
Casting and curing
The PDMS solution is poured with a thickness of 0.3 mm and cured at 80 degrees.
Step 5
Punching the holes
The holes with diameter of 2 mm are punched in the chip.
Step 6
Dissolving the microchannel mold in limonene solvent
The dissolving time is 30 minutes with the temperature of 100°C and the limonene concentration of 50%.
Step 7
Completing the chip
The microfluidic chip with an empty T microchannel is fabricated.