Multi-layer plastic/glass microfluidic systems containing electrical and mechanical functionality.
This paper describes an approach for fabricating multi-layer microfluidic systems from a combination of glass and plastic materials. Methods and characterization results for the microfabrication technologies underlying the process flow are presented. The approach is used to fabricate and characterize multi-layer plastic/glass microfluidic systems containing electrical and mechanical functionality. Hot embossing, heat staking of plastics, injection molding, microstenciling of electrodes, and stereolithography were combined with conventional MEMS fabrication techniques to realize the multi-layer systems. The approach enabled the integration of multiple plastic/glass materials into a single monolithic system, provided a solution for the integration of electrical functionality throughout the system, provided a mechanism for the inclusion of microactuators such as micropumps/valves, and provided an interconnect technology for interfacing fluids and electrical components between the micro system and the macro world.
Han
Arum
A
School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0250, USA. gt0478a@prism.gatech.edu
Wang
Olivia
O
Graff
Mason
M
Mohanty
Swomitra K
SK
Edwards
Thayne L
TL
Han
Ki-Ho
KH
Bruno Frazier
A
A
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008839:Microelectrodes; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010969:Plastics