Case study - Saint Louis University & Michigan State University
Case study
Saint Louis University & Michigan State University: microfluidic chips in under 30 minutes
USA · Research · PolyJet (VeroClear, Tango+)
Researchers at Saint Louis University (Department of Chemistry) and Michigan State University (Department of Biomedical Engineering) use PolyJet to make microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices.
The challenge
Traditional fabrication starts with a silicon wafer, photoresist, UV curing and a PDMS layer. It takes around 8 hours and many steps. Identical chips are hard to repeat, and the chips are delicate.
The solution
PolyJet prints chips with enclosed channels in one process. Channels of 125 x 54 μm and serpentine shapes are possible. The cover layer is clear VeroClear. Ports and world-to-chip connections are printed in rubber-like Tango+ for pressure-based sealing.
The results
- A functional chip in under 30 minutes instead of about 8 hours
- Better reproducibility
- Optical transparency for analysis
- Faster design iteration and lower development costs
Application: Fluid flow & pressure validation
Clear, accurate prototypes show how liquids and gases move through a design.
Source: Stratasys Application Guide and Stratasys case material. Photo: Stratasys.
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