Understanding The PDMS Device Fabrication Process
Employing polymer materials for fabricating microfluidic devices is a process that is gaining immense popularity these days. The reason for its usage is that it provides cost-effective and simple advantages. Some of the benefited areas include micro total analysis systems and lab-on-a-chip(LOC) devices.
What is PDMS?
PDMS is in a class of polymeric organosilicon compounds, also known as silicone. PDMS is commonly used in organic polymers. PDMS is translucent and is also a type of silicone oil.
What is PDMS Used For?
PDMS is used in a variety of products, from shampoo to medical devices. When talking about polymer materials used in microfluidics, Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (PDMS) is the primary choice. Let’s shed some light on the PDMS fabrication process.
The History of PDMS Fabrication and Microfluidics
With the introduction of microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, and micro total analysis systems in the last century, the use of microfluidic devices has improved tremendously. Some contributing factors are that manufacturers started understanding their potential in healthcare applications, point-of-care testing, and biomedical applications. Leaders like Hochuen Medical use PDMS device fabrication as the right technique for producing medical devices. The early development of microfluidic devices involved the use of glass and silicon materials as fundamental substrates. With the concept of using polymer materials in microfluidics being introduced in the late 1990s, the use of glass and silicon materials has shifted to polymers, basically due to the low-cost and simplicity benefits.
Compared to glass and silicon, polymers are affordable materials. Polymers feature many material properties to meet the different application needs of disposable biomedical microfluidic devices. Beyond this example, there is an abundance of other promising applications as well.
Realizing the Benefits of PDMS Fabrication
PDMS fabrication is relatively non-hazardous. PDMS Fabrication needs a simple etching reagent for the creation of polymer microstructures. The tools required for PDMS fabrication are much more affordable compared to those that are required to make semiconductor infrastructures such as reactive-ion etching facilities and wet benches. These factors ensure the polymer microfluidic devices can be fabricated even in an average lab. The introduction of polymers into the microfluidics realm had simplicity in mind, allowing for PDMS fabrication in a more basic lab setting.
Not all Polymer Materials are Equal
After years of research into polymer microfluidics, different polymer microfabrication technologies were developed with low-cost and simple formats in mind. Polymer microfabrication is not a process that you can engage in straight forward. There is not a one-size-fits-all fabrication technique for the creation of polymer microfluidic devices. For a successful polymer microfluidic device function, you must properly determine the polymer microfabrication strategies.
The Steps to Follow When Selecting a PDMS Fabrication Process
If you are conflicted about choosing PDMS fabrication or other fabrication techniques, below is a list of steps to follow in the selection of the right process:
The first step is to identify its application and needs.
Once you decide on the application, you can design the chamber or microfiber layout.
Next is the selection of appropriate polymer material.
Then, decide on the right fabrication strategy to create a polymer microfiber device that will rightly meet your specific microfluidic application needs.
When it comes to microfluidic applications, two major techniques are used. One of them is PDMS fabrication, while the other is thermoplastics.
PDMS fabrication often brings better advantages as compared to thermoplastics. For instance, the elasticity of the material will be superior, and its gas permeability and other unique benefits make it the right choice for you.
Is PDMS Fabrication the Right Choice?
PDMS fabrication stands out in many ways as compared to other fabrication techniques. Being an elastomer material, you can easily deform by applying force or air pressure. It means that you can easily use it for any of your desired applications. So, go for PDMS fabrication with expert help from Hochuen Medical and you will reap the benefits thereof.
