CO2 Laser-Based Rapid Prototyping of Micropumps

Micromachines

Kamyar Ghofrani¹  Zachary Strike²  Chris Backhouse² 

[1] DropLab Inc., 151 Charles Steet West, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6, Canada;Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;

关键词: micropumps;    microvalves;    rapid prototyping;    CO2 laser ablation;    microdroplets;   

DOI  :  10.3390/mi9050215

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The fabrication of microdevices for fluidic control often requires the use of flexible diaphragms in a way that requires cleanroom equipment and compromises performance. We use a CO 2laser to perform the standard ablative techniques of cutting and engraving materials, but we also apply a method that we call laser placement. This allows us to fabricate precisely-positioned and precisely-sized, isolated diaphragms. This in turn enables the rapid prototyping of integrated multilayer microfluidic devices to form complex structures without the need for manual positioning or cleanroom equipment. The fabrication process is also remarkably rapid and capable of being scaled to manufacturing levels of production. We explore the use of these devices to construct a compact system of peristaltic pumps that can form water in oil droplets without the use of the non-pulsatile pumping systems typically required. Many devices can be fabricated at a time on a sheet by sheet basis with a fabrication process that, to our knowledge, is the fastest reported to date for devices of this type (requiring only 3 h). Moreover, this system is unusually compact and self-contained.

【 授权许可】

Unknown