title: Three-dimensional wax patterning of paper fluidic devices.
abstract: In this paper we describe a method for three-dimensional wax patterning of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs). The method is rooted in the fundamental details of wax transport in paper and provides a simple way to fabricate complex channel architectures such as hemichannels and fully enclosed channels. We show that three-dimensional μPADs can be fabricated with half as much paper by using hemichannels rather than ordinary open channels. We also provide evidence that fully enclosed channels are efficiently isolated from the exterior environment, decreasing contamination risks, simplifying the handling of the device, and slowing evaporation of solvents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, The University of Texas at Austin , 105 East 24th Street, Stop A5300, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, United States.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Renault
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koehne
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ricco
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Crooks