Abstract
In this work, we develop low-cost microfluidic systems based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for lab-on-a-chip applications. PDMS microfluidic structures have been fabricated by micromolding, PDMS casting, and plasma bonding processes. The micromolding technique is used to fabricate PDMS slabs with micro-sized grooves, and the complete microchannel is formed by bonding PDMS slab with glass or PDMS substrate. The molding procedure using SU-8 photoresist patterning on silicon wafer, PDMS microchannel fabrication, and PDMS surface treatment using oxygen plasma and TiO2 coating, are discussed. The various parameters for oxygen plasma treatment including RF power and treatment time are studied in order to obtain conditions for good bonding with the glass substrate. The best condition for plasma treatment is found to be the low RF power (8 W) with 5 min treatment time. In addition, TiO2 coating with oxygen plasma treatment has been applied to make PDMS surface more hydrophilic to improve aqueous solution compatilbility. The microfluidic channels for various applications, including sample injection cross channel, micropump channel, T and Y sample mixers, PCR thermocyling chamber and channel, capillary electrophoresis flow channel, and conductimetric systems have been fabricated. Finally, a typical application of the PDMS chip in a flow injection conductimetric system for sodium chloride detection has been demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lee, T. M. H. and Hsing, I. M. (2006),Anal. Chem. Acta 556, 26–37.
Wilke, R. and Buttgenbach, S. (2003),Biosens. Bioelectro. 19, 149–153.
Liu, D., Zhoub, X., Zhong, R., (2006),Talanta 68, 616–622.
Guber, A.E., Heckele, M., Herrmann, D., et al. (2004),Chem. Eng. J. 101, 447–453.
Inatomi, K., Izuo, S., Lee, S., Ohji, H., and Shiono, S. (2003),Microelectr. Engineering 70, 13–18.
Yu, X., Zhang, D., Li, T., Hao, L., and Li, X. (2003),Sens. Actuators A 108, 103–107.
Becker, H. and Heim, U. (2000),Sens. Actuators 83, 130–135.
Duffy, D. C., McDonald, J. C., Schueller O. J. A., and Whitesides, G. M. (1998),Anal. Chem. 70, 4974–4984.
Baltussen, E., Sandra, P., David F., Janssen, H. G., and Cramers, C. (1999),Anal. Chem. 71, 5213–5216.
Han, J. B., Wang, X., Wang, N., et al. (2006),Surf. Coating Technol. 200, 4876–4878.
Chen, L., Ren, J., Bi, R., and Chen, D. (2004),Electrophoresis 25, 914–921.
Hu, S., Ren, X., Bachman, M., Sims, C. E., Li, G. P., and Allbritton, N. (2002),Anal. Chem. 74, 4117–4123.
Linder, V., Verpoorte, E., Thormann, W., de Rooji, N. F., and Sigrist, H. (2001),Anal. Chem. 73, 4181–4189.
Wongkittisuksa, B., Limsakul, C., Thavarungkul, P., et al. (2003),NECTEC Tech. J. 4, 369–374.
Park, K. H., Park, H. G., Kim, J. H., and Seong, K. H. (2006),Biosens. Bioelectro. 22, 613–620.
Zhang, Z. L., Crozatier, C., Berre, M. L., and Chen, Y. (2005),Microelectr. Engineering 78–79, 556–562.
Limbut, W., Thavarungkul, P., Kanatharana, P., Asawatreratanakul, P., Limsakul, C., and Wongkittisuksa, B. (2004),Biosens. Bioelectro. 19, 813–821.
Thavarungkul, P., and Håkanson, H., Holst, O., and Mattiasson, B. (1991),Biosens. Bioelectro. 6, 101–107.
Thavarungkul, P., and Kanatharana, P. (1994),J. Sci. Soc. Thailand 20, 23–30.
Thavarungkul, P., Asawatreratanakul, P., Kanatharana, P., Duenjumroon, J., and Chaibundit, C. (1999),Sci. Asia 25, 157–163.
Suwansa-ard, S., Kanatharana, P., Asawatreratanakul, P., Limsakul, C., Wongkittisuksa, B., and Thavarungkul, P. (2005),Biosens. Bioelectro. 21, 445–454.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tuantranont, A., Lomas, T., Maturos, T. et al. Development of low-cost microfluidic systems for lab-on-a-chip biosensor applications. Nanobiotechnol 2, 143–149 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02697269
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02697269