title: Open-Source Wax RepRap 3-D Printer for Rapid Prototyping Paper-Based Microfluidics.
abstract: The open-source release of self-replicating rapid prototypers (RepRaps) has created a rich opportunity for low-cost distributed digital fabrication of complex 3-D objects such as scientific equipment. For example, 3-D printable reactionware devices offer the opportunity to combine open hardware microfluidic handling with lab-on-a-chip reactionware to radically reduce costs and increase the number and complexity of microfluidic applications. To further drive down the cost while improving the performance of lab-on-a-chip paper-based microfluidic prototyping, this study reports on the development of a RepRap upgrade capable of converting a Prusa Mendel RepRap into a wax 3-D printer for paper-based microfluidic applications. An open-source hardware approach is used to demonstrate a 3-D printable upgrade for the 3-D printer, which combines a heated syringe pump with the RepRap/Arduino 3-D control. The bill of materials, designs, basic assembly, and use instructions are provided, along with a completely free and open-source software tool chain. The open-source hardware device described here accelerates the potential of the nascent field of electrochemical detection combined with paper-based microfluidics by dropping the marginal cost of prototyping to nearly zero while accelerating the turnover between paper-based microfluidic designs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA pearce@mtu.edu.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Anzalone
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Heldt
mesh_terms: D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010209:Paper; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D012984:Software
keywords: 3-D printing; electrochemical detection; lab-on-a-chip; paper-based microfluidics; wax