title: Analytical performance of polymer-based microfluidic devices fabricated by computer numerical controlled machining.
abstract: A study comparing the electrophoretic separation performance attainable from microchips molded by masters fabricated using conventional CNC machining techniques with commercial microchips, wire imprinted microchips, and microchips from LIGA molding devices is presented. An electrophoresis-based detection system using fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the analytical utility of these microchips. The separation performance of CNC microchips was comparable to commercially available microchips as well as those fabricated from LIGA masters. The important feature of the CNC machined masters is that they have rapid design-to-device times using routinely available machining tools. This low-cost prototyping approach provides a new entry point for researchers interested in thermoplastic microchips and can accelerate the development of polymer-based lab-on-a-chip devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0072, USA.
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mecomber
authors.forename: Apryll M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stalcup
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hurd
authors.forename: H Brian
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Halsall
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Heineman
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Seliskar
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wehmeyer
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Limbach
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers