Three-dimensional channel design and fabrication in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers using capillary action mechanism in fluidics for life sciences

Abstract

A simple design and fabrication for a 3D microchannel that could be used as a mixer in microfluidic flow system with minimum sample available, analysis using COMSOL 3.5 Multiphysics simulation and fabricated using soft-lithography technique were done. The design is based on differential pressure drop flow using capillary effect concept which has facilitated a number of interesting flow phenomena in micro-domains. For an average pressure drop of about 100/m in the setup, flow rates of bout 0.7 to 1 μl/s were obtained. The component consists of a microchannel, two designs were tested (70, 100 microns in width) to give a continuous open circuit flow. The system was designed and fabricated for continuous flow across sensing element where there is a requirement for low residence time due to fast reaction/diffusion rates.