Hydrodynamic microfabrication via"on the fly" photopolymerization of microscale fibers and tubes.
A microfluidic apparatus capable of creating continuous microscale cylindrical polymeric structures has been developed. This system is able to produce microstructures (e.g. fibers, tubes) by employing 3D multiple stream laminar flow and "on the fly"in-situ photopolymerization. The details of the fabrication process and the characterization of the produced microfibers are described. The apparatus is constructed by merging pulled glass pipettes with PDMS molding technology and used to manufacture the fibers and tubes. By controlling the sample and sheath volume flow rates, the dimensions of the microstructures produced can be altered without re-tooling. The fiber properties including elasticity, stimuli responsiveness, and biosensing are characterized. Responsive woven fabric and biosensing fibers are demonstrated. The fabrication process is simple, cost effective and flexible in materials, geometries, and scales.
Jeong
Wonje
W
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dankook University, San 29, Anseodong Cheonan Chungnam, South Korea.
Kim
Jeongyun
J
Kim
Sunjeong
S
Lee
Sanghoon
S
Mensing
Glennys
G
Beebe
David J
DJ
D000179:Acrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008027:Light; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D033081:Shear Strength
D000179:Acrylates; C036658:acrylic acid