Low-cost printing of poly(dimethylsiloxane) barriers to define microchannels in paper.

ABSTRACT: This paper describes the use of a modified x,y-plotter to generate hydrophilic channels by printing a solution of hydrophobic polymer (pol(dimethylsiloxane; PDMS) dissolved in hexanes onto filter paper. The PDMS penetrates the depth of the paper and forms a hydrophobic wall that aqueous solutions cannot cross. The minimum size of printed features is approximately 1 mm; this resolution is adequate for the rapid prototyping of hand-held, visually read, diagnostic assays (and other microfluidic systems) based on paper. After curing the printed PDMS, the paper-based devices can be bent or folded to generate three-dimensional systems of channels. Capillary action pulls aqueous samples into the paper channels. Colorimetric assays for the presence of glucose and protein are demonstrated in the pr

SUBMITTER: Bruzewicz DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3733108 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature