Abstract
Conventional manufacturing of glass microfluidic devices is a complex, multi-step process that involves a combination of different fabrication techniques, typically photolithography, chemical/dry etching and thermal/anodic bonding. As a result, the process is time-consuming and expensive, in particular when developing microfluidic prototypes or even manufacturing them in low quantity. This report describes a fabrication technique in which a picosecond pulsed laser system is the only tool required to manufacture a microfluidic device from transparent glass substrates. The laser system is used for the generation of microfluidic patterns directly on glass, the drilling of inlet/outlet ports in glass covers, and the bonding of two glass plates together in order to enclose the laser-generated patterns from the top. This method enables the manufacturing of a fully-functional microfluidic device in a few hours, without using any projection masks, dangerous chemicals, and additional expensive tools, e.g., a mask writer or bonding machine. The method allows the fabrication of various types of microfluidic devices, e.g., Hele-Shaw cells and microfluidics comprising complex patterns resembling up-scaled cross-sections of realistic rock samples, suitable for the investigation of CO2 storage, water remediation and hydrocarbon recovery processes. The method also provides a route for embedding small 3D objects inside these devices.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 20215 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 27 Dec 2019 |
Keywords
- Microfluidic Devices
- Glass
- Ultrafast lasers
- Ultrashort Pulsed Laser
- Laser Manufacturing
- Picosecond laser
- Picosecond laser ablation
- Laser microwelding
- Laser micromachining
- Laser fabrication
- Porous media
- Micromodels
- CO2 sequestration
- CO2 storage
- Maskless manufacturing
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
- Rapid manufacturing
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Datasets supporting the article: "Maskless, rapid manufacturing of glass microfluidic devices using a picosecond pulsed laser"
Wlodarczyk, K. (Creator), Hand, D. P. (Contributor) & Maroto-Valer, M. M. (Supervisor), Heriot-Watt University, 28 Dec 2019
DOI: 10.17861/81a3a5c6-01e4-4736-affc-5608827826fd, https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-019-56711-5/MediaObjects/41598_2019_56711_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
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Profiles
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Duncan Paul Hand
- School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences - Professor
- School of Engineering & Physical Sciences - Professor
Person: Academic (Research & Teaching)