Cited by 149Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis ApplicationsBiosensors and Analytical DetectionInnovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

Inexpensive, rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices using overhead transparencies and a laser print, cut and laminate fabrication method

Thompson, Brandon L, Ouyang, Yiwen, Duarte, Gabriela R M, Carrilho, Emanuel, Krauss, Shannon T, Landers, James P·2015·Nature Protocols

Abstract

We describe a technique for fabricating microfluidic devices with complex multilayer architectures using a laser printer, a CO2 laser cutter, an office laminator and common overhead transparencies as a printable substrate via a laser print, cut and laminate (PCL) methodology. The printer toner serves three functions: (i) it defines the microfluidic architecture, which is printed on the overhead transparencies; (ii) it acts as the adhesive agent for the bonding of multiple transparency layers; and (iii) it provides, in its unmodified state, printable, hydrophobic 'valves' for fluidic flow control. By using common graphics software, e.g., CorelDRAW or AutoCAD, the protocol produces microfluidic devices with a design-to-device time of ∼40 min. Devices of any shape can be generated for an array of multistep assays, with colorimetric detection of molecular species ranging from small molecules to proteins. Channels with varying depths can be formed using multiple transparency layers in which a CO2 laser is used to remove the polyester from the channel sections of the internal layers. The simplicity of the protocol, availability of the equipment and substrate and cost-effective nature of the process make microfluidic devices available to those who might benefit most from expedited, microscale chemistry.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nprot.2015.051

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Authors
Thompson, B. L., Ouyang, Y., Duarte, G. R. M., Carrilho, E., Krauss, S. T., & Landers, J. P.
Affiliations
  • University of Virginia (US)
  • Universidade Federal de Goiás (BR)
  • Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
Corresponding author
Landers, James P
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2015-05-14
Volume
10
Issue
6
Pages
875-886
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W1529713568
Cited by
149
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
FWCI
8.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (R01EB011591)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biosensors and Analytical Detection
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation
Keywords
microfluidic fabrication, overhead transparencies, CO2 laser cutting, colorimetric sensing, low-cost prototyping
MeSH terms
Printing, Lasers, Gas, Lab-On-A-Chip Devices

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