title: Flexible casting of modular self-aligning microfluidic assembly blocks.
abstract: The recent shift among developers of microfluidic technologies toward modularized "plug and play" construction reflects the steadily increasing realization that, for many would-be users of microfluidic tools, traditional clean-room microfabrication is prohibitively complex and/or expensive. In this work, we present an advanced modular microfluidic construction scheme in which pre-fabricated microfluidic assembly blocks (MABs) can be quickly fashioned, without expertise or specialized facilities, into sophisticated microfluidic devices for a wide range of applications. Specifically, we describe three major advances to the MAB concept: (1) rapid production and extraction of MABs using flexible casting trays, (2) use of pre-coated substrates for simultaneous assembly and bonding, and (3) modification of block design to include automatic alignment and sealing structures. Finally, several exemplary applications of these MABs are demonstrated in chemical gradient synthesis, droplet generation, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2300 Hayward St. 3074 H.H. Dow Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136, USA.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Langelier
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Livak-Dahl
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Manzo
authors.forename: Brian N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Nils G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence