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Microfluidic Diagnostics pp 269–281Cite as

Superhydrophobicity for Antifouling Microfluidic Surfaces

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 949))

Abstract

Fouling of surfaces is often problematic in microfluidic devices, particularly when using protein or ­enzymatic solutions. Various coating methods have been investigated to reduce the tendency for protein molecules to adsorb, mostly relying on hydrophobic surface chemistry or the antifouling ability of ­polyethylene glycol. Here we present the potential use of superhydrophobic surfaces to not only reduce the amount of surface contamination but also to induce self-cleaning under flow conditions. The methodology is presented in order to prepare superhydrophobic surface coatings having micro- and nanoscale feature dimensions, as well as a step-by-step guide to quantify adsorbed protein down to nanogram levels. The fabrication of these surfaces as coatings via silica sol–gel and copper nano-hair growth is presented, which can be applied within microfluidic devices manufactured from various materials.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from EPSRC (grant EP/D500826/1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomimetic Materials, Hochschule Rhein-Waal, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kleve, Germany

    N. J. Shirtcliffe

  2. Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK

    P. Roach

Authors
  1. N. J. Shirtcliffe
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  2. P. Roach
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Roach .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics &, Information Displays (KLOEID), Nanjing Univ. of Posts&Telecommunication, Jia Sheng Hua Yuan, No.2 Building Room 201, Nanjing, 210013, Jiangsu, China, People's Republic

    Gareth Jenkins

  2. Scientific & Medical Communications Cons, avenue Paul Santy 1C, Ecully, 69130, France

    Colin D. Mansfield

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Shirtcliffe, N.J., Roach, P. (2013). Superhydrophobicity for Antifouling Microfluidic Surfaces. In: Jenkins, G., Mansfield, C. (eds) Microfluidic Diagnostics. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 949. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-134-9_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-134-9_18

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-133-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-134-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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