Active sealing for soft polymer microchips: Method and practical applications

Hyunwoo Bang, Won Gu Lee, Junha Park, Hoyoung Yun, Joonmo Lee, Seok Chung, Keunchang Cho, Chanil Chung, Dong Chul Han, Jun Keun Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents a new sealing method for soft polymer (elastomer) microchips. A robust and reversible sealing method, which allows various materials to be bonded and sealed tightly with each other even in aqueous solutions, is developed. A poly (dimethylsiloxane) microchip system, which can actively generate bonding and sealing forces by itself, is invented. By inducing negative pressure into additional closed areas, an instant sucking disc is made. This disc is used to tighten up the conformal contact of soft polymers. Other functionalities of active sealing such as making reusable microchips, patterning cells and performing cellular assays in a single dish have also been examined and will be discussed hereunder. This technique gives a robust and universal solution for microchip sealing issues by sealing soft polymers with diverse materials under various conditions. Active sealing will simplify numerous assays in lab-on-a-chip industry and will open a new era for cellular microchip assays.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)708-714
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006 Apr 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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