Plastic Masters from 3D Printed Models for Microfluidics

Abstract

We introduced an easily accessible and rapid fabrication method of creating non-planar microfluidic devices. By using the 3D printer and plastic molds, it was able to create polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) devices without any cleanroom facilities or expensive equipment which were usually required in the conventional microfluidic device fabrication process. It is necessary to create endurable plastic master molds than use the 3D printed molds for PDMS microfluidic devices. The proposed master molds are stronger than the 3D printed molds and are easily replicable. The master molds do not need an additional coating to mold PDMS, so the molds can be used to replicate numerous devices. We have demonstrated creating a master mold for microfluidic devices and using it for biological applications by cell co-culturing, proving this technique to be a successful way to provide an easy way to replicate microfluidic devices which can be used in life sciences. By combining the advantages using the 3D printer, such as design flexibility, with the biological and mechanical properties of PDMS, we show a new potential for cost-effective, time-efficient fabrication techniques of versatile microfluidic devices.