Simple and cost-effective fabrication of microvalve arrays in PDMS using laser cut molds with application to C. elegans manipulation in microfluidics

• Published in: Journal of micromechanics and microengineering Vol. 24; no. 10; pp. 105007 - 105017
• Main Authors: Samuel, R, Thacker, C M, Maricq, A V, Gale, B K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.10.2014; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; C.elegans; Medical sciences; microvalve arrays; PDMS membrane; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments. Material. Instrumentation; Dimethylsiloxane polymer; Fluid mechanics; Molding; Control system; Laser cutting; Surface treatment; Array; Caenorhabditis elegans; Helmintha; Square shape; Valve; Nemathelminthia; Stiffness; Manufacturing; Invertebrata; Nematoda; Microfluidics
• ISSN: 0960-1317; 1361-6439
• DOI: 10.1088/0960-1317/24/10/105007

We present a new fabrication protocol for fabricating pneumatically controlled microvalve arrays (consisting of 100 s of microvalves) in PDMS substrates. The protocol utilizes rapid and cost-effective fabrication of molds using laser cutting of adhesive vinyl tapes and replica molding of PDMS. Hence the protocol is fast, simple and avoids cleanroom use. The results show that effective doormat-style microvalves can be easily fabricated in arrays by manipulating the stiffness of the actuating membrane through varying the valve-chamber area/shape. Three frequently used valve-chamber shapes (circle, square and capsule) were tested and all showed advantages in different situations. Circular valve chambers were best for small valves, square valves were best for medium-sized valves, and the capsule valves were best for larger valves. An application of this protocol has been demonstrated in the fabrication of a microfluidic 32-well plate for high-throughput manipulation of C. elegans for biomedical research.