title: Manufacturing and wetting low-cost microfluidic cell separation devices.
abstract: Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a microfluidic size-based particle separation or filter technology with applications in cell separation and enrichment. Currently, there are no cost-effective manufacturing methods for this promising microfluidic technology. In this fabrication paper, however, we develop a simple, yet robust protocol for thermoplastic DLD devices using regulatory-approved materials and biocompatible methods. The final standalone device allowed for volumetric flow rates of 660 μl min(-1) while reducing the manufacturing time to <1 h. Optical profilometry and image analysis were employed to assess manufacturing accuracy and precision; the average replicated post height was 0.48% less than the average post height on the master mold and the average replicated array pitch was 1.1% less than the original design with replicated posts heights of 62.1 ± 5.1 μm (mean ± 6 standard deviations) and replicated array pitches of 35.6 ± 0.31 μm.
authors.affiliation: Department Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Pawell
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.affiliation: Department Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Tracie J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.affiliation: Department Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Taylor