3D-Printed Microfluidics for Hands-On Undergraduate Laboratory Experiments
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[1] Millikin University
Millikin University
Township of Decatur, Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 1, 2020, págs. 178-183
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
We demonstrate that the simplicity of preparing functional microfluidic devices using 3D printing is well suited for undergraduate laboratories. Educational experiments utilizing non-paper-based microfluidic devices are often relegated to well-equipped, resource rich universities because traditional fabrication techniques require specialized and expensive equipment. Microfluidics prepared with stereolithography 3D printing provides a simplified and lower cost method of fabrication, while maintaining adequate resolution and performance for teaching laboratories. The applicability of stereolithography 3D-printed microfluidic devices for chemical education is demonstrated with a series of experiments utilizing colorimetric indicators to introduce laminar flow, diffusional mixing, and parabolic flow at the microscale. A microfluidic gel electrophoresis separation was also performed to demonstrate the low reagent requirements of microfluidics.
