AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe results show that the 3D printing of microfluidics is a promising area for often novel applications.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, also known as 3D printing, which offer advantages such as design flexibility, short lead time and cost effectiveness compared to traditional production methods, are used in many different areas. With the exponentially increasing technological developments, complex structures at micron level can be produced and used in customized applications. One promising unique application of AM is Lab-on-a-chips (LOCs). These microfluidic devices can effectively be used in laboratory experiments carried out on a very small scale in biomedical, chemistry and clinical cases. Lab-on-chip systems, which are time-consuming, specialization-required, and expensive to produce with traditional 2D microfabrication technologies such as lithography and PDMS-glass bonding, have become easily producible with AM methods. Although there are many different AM methods can be used in 3D printing of microfluidics, Multi Jet Printing (MJP) method is frequently preferred because of its high sensitivity and dimensional accuracy. MJP AM technology is based on spraying photopolymer resins to a layer thickness of down to 16 µm, then curing with UV light. This paper critically reviews relevant methods and materials used for 3D printing of microfluidics, especially for the MJP based technologies. A case study on 3d printing complex microchannels for microfluidics application using a commercial material jetting based 3D printer (Objet 30 Prime - Stratasys) has also been presented. The results show that the 3D printing of microfluidics is a promising area for often novel applications.