Purdue University Researchers Develop Method to Fabricate Microfluidic Devices
Huachao Mao, an assistant professor of engineering technology at Purdue University’s Polytechnic college, and his team have developed a cost-effective method to create multilevel microfluidic devices as small as 10 microns deep and 100 microns wide. These devices are crucial for analyzing small volumes of materials quickly and accurately, with applications ranging from cancer cell analysis to environmental testing.
The patented innovation, based on vat photopolymerization (VPP), improves upon traditional fabrication methods and 3D printing by allowing for the direct fabrication of highly transparent microfluidics with a much higher resolution. This technology enables researchers to precisely control fluid flow and reaction conditions at the microliter or nanoliter scale, accelerating biomedical research and improving the accuracy and speed of diagnostic tests.
Mao highlighted the significance of this breakthrough, stating that traditional methods of fabricating microfluidic devices are expensive and time-consuming, often requiring high-end equipment and a cleanroom environment. The new method, which leverages LCD technology to facilitate the photopolymer solidification process, promises to revolutionize the field by providing researchers with a more accessible and efficient tool for a wide range of applications.
This research was conducted at Purdue Polytechnic’s Additive and Intelligent Manufacturing Lab and has the potential to impact diverse fields, including biomedicine, environmental science, geology, and manufacturing. For more information, read the full story by Purdue Research Foundation’s Steve Martin.
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