Skip to main content
Log in

Solid-ink-based print-and-peel method for microfluidic fabrication: a revisit

  • Letter
  • Published:
JMST Advances Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The print-and-peel (PAP) method enables faster and cheaper fabrication of microfluidic devices, because this non-lithographic method uses a commercial printer to print channel mold patterns onto transparency film for use as a mold for microfluidic device fabrication. This study revisits the solid-ink-based PAP method by characterizing solid link patterns printed on transparency films for cross-sectional shape, height, and surface roughness. In addition, the method was applied to create functional microfluidic devices to show that this low-cost method can be used for microfluidic applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M.S. Thomas, B. Millare, J.M. Clift, D. Bao, C. Hong, V.I. Vullev, Print-and-peel fabrication for microfluidics: What’s in it for biomedical applications? Ann. Biomed. Eng. 38, 21–32 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. A. Tan, K. Rodgers, J.P. Murrihy, C. O’Mathuna, J.D. Glennon, Rapid fabrication of microfluidic devices in poly(dimethylsiloxane) by photocopying. Lab Chip 1, 7–9 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. M.L. Branham, R. Tran-Son-Tay, C. Schoonover, P.S. Davis, S.D. Allen, Rapid prototyping of micropatterned substrates using conventional laser printers. J. Mater. Res. 17, 1559–1562 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. N. Bao, Q. Zhang, J.-J. Xu, H.-Y. Chen, Fabrication of poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic system based on masters directly printed with an office laser printer. J. Chromatogr. A 1089, 270–275 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. V.I. Vullev, J. Wan, V. Heinrich, P. Landsman, P.E. Bower, B. Xia, B. Millare, G. Jones, Nonlithographic fabrication of microfluidic devices. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 16062–16072 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. G.V. Kaigala, S. Ho, R. Peterman, C.J. Bachouse, Rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices with a wax printer. Lab Chip 7, 384–387 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. C. Hong, D. Bao, M.S. Thomas, J.M. Clift, V.I. Vullev, Print-and-peel fabrication of microelectrodes. Langmuir 24, 8439–8442 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. M.S. Thomas, J.M. Clift, B. Millare, V.I. Vullev, Print-and-peel fabricated passive micromixers. Langmuir 26, 2951–2957 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. R.L. Adams, Phase change ink jet technology. In: Rezanka I, Eschbach R (eds) Recent progress in ink jet technologies. The Society for Imaging Science and Technology (1996), pp. 138–141

  10. J. Diener, 2D minimal bounding box version 1.1.0.0, MATLAB Central File Exchange (2011). https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/31126-2d-minimal-bounding-box

  11. T.M. Squires, S.R. Quake, Microfluidics: Fluid physics at the nanoliter scale. Rev. Mod. Phys. 77, 977–1026 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. A. Pekarovicova, H. Bhide, P.D. Fleming III, J. Pekarovic, Phase-change inks. J. Coat. Technol. 75, 65–72 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. R. Li, N. Ashgriz, S. Chandra, J.R. Andrews, Shape and surface texture of molten droplets deposited on cold surfaces. Surf. Coat. Technol. 202, 3960–3966 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Xerox Phaser Solid-Ink Transparencies, SUPFS-02UC-02. https://www.office.xerox.com/latest/SUPFS-02.PDF

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by an Interdisciplinary Research Grant from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA and by the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (grant #1659777). Microscopy imaging was performed at the NanoEngineering Research Core Facility (part of the Nebraska Nanoscale Facility), which is partially funded from the Nebraska Research Initiative.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sangjin Ryu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hopper, S., Zhang, H. & Ryu, S. Solid-ink-based print-and-peel method for microfluidic fabrication: a revisit. JMST Adv. 1, 197–203 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42791-019-00023-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42791-019-00023-2

Keywords

Navigation