title: Microfluidic vias enable nested bioarrays and autoregulatory devices in Newtonian fluids.
abstract: We report on a fundamental technological advance for multilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics. Vertical passages (vias), connecting channels located in different layers, are fabricated monolithically, in parallel, by simple and easy means. The resulting 3D connectivity greatly expands the potential complexity of microfluidic architecture. We apply the vias to printing nested bioarrays and building autoregulatory devices. A current source is demonstrated, while a diode and a rectifier are derived; all are building blocks for analog circuitry in Newtonian fluids. We also describe microfluidic septa and their applications. Vias lay the foundation for a new generation of microfluidic devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine and Norris Cancer Center, University of Southern California, NOR6346, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. kartalov@usc.edu
authors.forename: Emil P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Kartalov
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Clive R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: W French
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherer
mesh_terms: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006706:Homeostasis; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon