Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prototyping of microfluidic systems using a commercial thermoplastic elastomer

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article describes the fabrication of microfluidic networks (μFNs) from a commercially available (styrene)–(ethylene/butylene)–(styrene) (SEBS) block copolymer (BCP). The unique combination of hard and elastomeric properties provided by this material promotes high-throughput replication of fluidic structures using thermoforming technologies, while retaining the advantage of quick and easy assembly via conformal contact, as commonly achieved for devices fabricated from poly(dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). We employ Versaflex CL30, which is optically transparent, available at low cost (e.g., $2.50/Lbs), and likely to be compatible with a broad range of biological species. We demonstrate excellent fidelity in replication of fluidic structures using hot embossing lithography in conjunction with a photolithographically prepared Si/SU-8 master mold. Moreover, we introduce rapid prototyping of high-quality structures using an approach that we call soft thermoplastic lithography (STPL). Thanks to the rheological characteristics of the SEBS copolymer, STPL enables thermoforming on a heated master at temperatures around 170°C. Using this approach, replication can be completed within a very short period of time (e.g., less than 3 min) without the need of resorting to pressure- or vacuum-assisted instrumentation. Serving as a proof-of-concept, we devise a μFN that is suitable for the formation of miniaturized arrays comprising fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides and proteins on hard plastic substrates. Resultant spots are characterized by high fluorescent contrast, excellent edge definition, and uniform distribution of probes within the modified areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benn JA, Hu J, Hogan BJ, Fry RC, Samson LD, Thorsen T (2006) Comparative modeling and analysis of microfluidic and conventional DNA microarrays. Anal Biochem 348:284–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cameron NS, Roberge H, Veres T, Jakeway SC, Crabtree HJ (2006) High fidelity, high yield production of microfluidic devices by hot embossing lithography: rheology and stiction. Lab Chip 6:936–941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou SY, Krauss PR, Renstrom PJ (1995) Imprint of sub-25 nm vias and trenches in polymers. Appl Phys Lett 67:3114–3116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creton C (2007) Block copolymers for adhesive applications. In: Matyjaszewski K, Gnanou Y, Leibler L (eds) Macromolecular engineering: precise synthesis, materials properties and applications. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, pp 1731–1752

    Google Scholar 

  • Cui B, Veres T (2006) Pattern replication of 100 nm to millimeter-scale features by thermal nanoimprint lithography. Microelectr Eng 83:1299–1305

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz-Quijada GA, Peytavi R, Nantel A, Roy E, Bergeron MG, Dumoulin MM, Veres T (2007) Surface modification of thermoplastics—towards the plastic biochip for high throughput screening devices. Lab Chip 7:856–862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donzel C, Geissler M, Bernard A, Wolf H, Michel B, Hilborn J, Delamarche E (2001) Hydrophilic poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamps for microcontact printing. Adv Mater 13:1164–1167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efimenko K, Wallace WE, Genzer J (2002) Surface modification of Sylgard-184 poly(dimethyl siloxane) networks by ultraviolet and ultraviolet/ozone treatment. J Colloid Interface Sci 254:306–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esch M, Kapur S, Irizarry G, Genova V (2003) Influence of master fabrication techniques on the characteristics of embossed microfluidic channels. Lab Chip 3:121–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorini GS, Lorenz RM, Kuo JS, Chiu DT (2004) Rapid prototyping of thermoset polyester microfluidic devices. Anal Chem 76:4697–4704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geissler M, Roy E, Diaz-Quijada GA, Galas J-C, Veres T (2009) Microfluidic patterning of miniaturized DNA arrays on plastic substrates. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 1:1387–1395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holden G, Legge NR, Quirk R, Schroeder HE (1996) Thermoplastic elastomers, 2nd edn. Hanser/Gardner, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsson B, Löfås S, Lindquist G (1991) Immobilization of proteins to a carboxymethyldextran-modified gold surface for biospecific interaction analysis in surface plasmon resonance sensors. Anal Biochem 198:268–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juang YJ, Lee LJ, Koelling KW (2002) Hot embossing in microfabrication. Part I: experimental. Polym Eng Sci 42:539–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juncker D, Schmid H, Drechsler U, Wolf H, Wolf M, Michel B, de Rooij N, Delamarche E (2002) Autonomous microfluidic capillary system. Anal Chem 74:6139–6144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Chaudhury MK, Owen MJ, Orbeck T (2001) The mechanisms of hydrophobic recovery of polydimethylsiloxane elastomers exposed to partial electrical discharges. J Colloid Interface Sci 244:200–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JN, Park C, Whitesides GM (2003) Solvent compatibility of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic devices. Anal Chem 75:6544–6554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei KF, Ahsan S, Budraa N, Li JW, Mai JD (2004) Microwave bonding of polymer-based substrates for potential encapsulated micro/nanofluidic device fabrication. Sens Actuators A 114:340–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin CH, Chao CH, Lan CW (2007) Low azeotropic solvent for bonding of PMMA microfluidic devices. Sens Actuators B 121:698–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald JC, Duffy DC, Anderson JR, Chiu DT, Wu H, Schueller OJA, Whitesides GM (2000) Fabrication of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane). Electrophoresis 21:27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morèse-Séguéla B, St-Jacques M, Renaud JM, Prud’homme J (1980) Microphase separation in low molecular weight styrene–isoprene diblock copolymers studied by DSC and 13C NMR. Macromolecules 13:100–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munteanu SB, Vasile C (2005) Spectral and thermla characterization of styrene–butadiene copolymers with different architectures. J Optoelectron Adv Mater 7:3135–3148

    Google Scholar 

  • Odani H, Taira K, Nemoto N, Kurata M (1977) Diffusion and solution of gases and vapors in styrene–butadiene block copolymers. Polym Eng Sci 17:527–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rolland JP, Van Dam RM, Schorzman DA, Quake SR, DeSimone JM (2004) Solvent-resistant photocurable “liquid teflon” for microfluidic device fabrication. J Am Chem Soc 126:2322–2323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossier JS, Bercier P, Schwarz A, Loridant S (1999a) Topography, crystallinity and wettability of photoablated PET surfaces. Langmuir 15:5173–5178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossier JS, Roberts MA, Ferrigno R, Girault HH (1999b) Electrochemical detection in polymer microchannels. Anal Chem 71:4294–4299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy E, Siegrist J, Peytavi R, Diaz-Quijada GA, Roberge H, Normandin F, Jia G, Zoval J, Madou M, Bergeron MG, Dumoulin MM, Veres T (2008) Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) block copolymers, a new material platform for microfluidics: proof-of-concept for complex siphon valving on CD. In: Proceedings of the 12th international conference on miniaturized systems for chemistry and life sciences, San Diego, pp 1576–1578

  • Roy E, Galas J-C, Veres T (2010a) Thermoplastics elastomers for microfluidics valving and mixing, toward highthroughput fabrication of multilayers devices. In: Proceedings of the 14th international conference on miniaturized systems for chemistry and life sciences, Groningen, pp 1235–1237

  • Roy E, Mounier M, Peytavi R, Siegrist J, Gorkin R, Madou M, Bergeron MG, Veres T (2010b) Enhanced microfabrication capabilities of thermoplastics elastomers for CD lab system including: lysing, PCR and hybridization microfluidic functions. In: Proceedings of the 14th international conference on miniaturized systems for chemistry and life sciences, Groningen, pp 1898–1901

  • Sebastian JM, Lai C, Graessley WW, Register RA (2002a) Steady-shear rheology of block copolymer melts: zero-shear viscosity and shear disordering in body-centered-cubic systems. Macromol 35:2700–2706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebastian JM, Lai C, Graessley WW, Register RA (2002b) Steady-shear rheology of block copolymer melts: zero-shear viscosity and shear disordering in body-centered-cubic systems. Macromol 35:2707–2713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senuma A (2000) Gas permeability coefficients of ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) membranes. Double-column approach for two-phase materials. Macromol Chem Phys 201:568–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sotomayor Torres CM (2003) Alternative lithography: unleashing the potentials of nanotechnology. Kluwer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Squires TM, Quake SR (2009) Microfluidics: fluid physics at the nanoliter scale. Rev Mod Phys 77:977–1026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Studer V, Pépin A, Chen Y (2002) Nanoembossing of thermoplastic polymers for microfluidic applications. Appl Phys Lett 80:3614–3616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sudarsan AP, Wang J, Ugaz VM (2005) Thermoplastic elastomer gels: an advanced substrate for microfluidic chemical analysis systems. Anal Chem 77:5167–5173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tserepi A, Gogolides E, Tsougeni K, Constantoudis V (2005) Tailoring the surface topography and wetting properties of oxygen-plasma treated polydimethylsiloxane. J Appl Phys 98:113502.1–113502.6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C (2001) Tear strength of styrene–butadiene–styrene block copolymers. Macromol 34:9006–9014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Washburn EW (1921) The dynamics of capillary flow. Phys Rev 17:273–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitesides GM (2006) The origins and the future of microfluidics. Nature 442:368–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia Y, Whitesides GM (1998) Soft lithography. Angew Chem Int Ed 37:551–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao D, Nagarajan P, Li L, Yi AP (2007) A two-station embossing process for rapid fabrication of surface microstructures on thermoplastic polymers. Polym Eng Sci 47:530–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Xu J, Ma W, Zheng W (2006) PCR microfluidic devices for DNA amplification. Biotechnol Adv 24:243–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann M, Schmid H, Hunziker P, Delamarche E (2007) Capillary pumps for autonomous capillary systems. Lab Chip 7:119–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues Hélène Roberge, François Normandin, Kien Mun Lau, Yves Simard, and Pierre Sammut for technical assistance as well as Régis Peytavi, Gerardo A. Diaz-Quijada and Daniel C. Tessier for useful discussion. This work was supported in part by the National Research Council of Canada, Génome Québec and Genome Canada.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 75 de Mortagne Boulevard, Boucherville, QC, J4B 6Y4, Canada

    Emmanuel Roy, Matthias Geissler, Jean-Christophe Galas & Teodor Veres

Authors
  1. Emmanuel Roy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthias Geissler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jean-Christophe Galas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Teodor Veres
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emmanuel Roy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Roy, E., Geissler, M., Galas, JC. et al. Prototyping of microfluidic systems using a commercial thermoplastic elastomer. Microfluid Nanofluid 11, 235–244 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-011-0789-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-011-0789-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation