Microfabrication of 3D structures using novel thermoplastic elastomers Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The use of thermoplastic elastomer gels as advanced substrates for construction of complex microfluidic systems is shown. These gels are synthesized by combining inexpensive polystyrene - (polyethylene / polybutylene) - polystyrene triblock copolymers with a hydrocarbon oil for which the ethylene/butylene midblocks are selectively miscible. The insoluble styrene endblocks phase separate into localized domains to form an optically transparent, viscoelastic, and biocompatible 3-D network (similar to PDMS), with the further advantage of melt-processability in the vicinity of 100C. Microfluidic devices can be fabricated in under 5 minutes by making an impression of the negative relief structures on a heated master mold. Multiple impressions can be made against different masters to construct geometries incorporating variable-height features, as well as intricate 3-D multilayered structures. Thermal and mechanical properties are tunable over a wide range through proper selection of gel composition.

published proceedings

  • 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show - NSTI Nanotech 2005 Technical Proceedings

author list (cited authors)

  • Sudarsan, A. P., Wang, J., & Ugaz, V. M.

complete list of authors

  • Sudarsan, AP||Wang, J||Ugaz, VM

publication date

  • December 2005