Thin-Film Sealing for Additive Manufactured Next-Gen Microfluidic Devices
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Rafael Quirino
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics
Abstract
Microfluidic devices plays a crucial role in chemical and biological research, yet their fabrication remains highly time-consuming. Our Sustainable Material Innovation Group at Quirino Lab, in collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering and Physics departments, has addressed this challenge by employing stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing to fabricate microfluidic devices using bio-based polymer systems, such as acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). This approach accelerates fabrication time and enables features difficult to achieve with conventional methods. To be suitable for use, however, these devices must be properly sealed to facilitate controlled liquid transport. Creating a uniform and robust cover on the roofs of microfluidic channels, remains a challenge with 3D printing alone. In this study, the fabrication of thin films of bio-based thermosetting polymers as a means of sealing the top layer of microfluidic channels is investigated with proposed adhesion techniques such as coupled post-curing and plasma surface modification. Thin-film fabrication methods such as drop casting and spin coating were first investigated using the standard polymer systems polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to establish baseline procedures. Similar methods for two bio-based thermosetting polymer systems: AESO derived from residual SLA printing material and a tung oil-based emulsion polymer system
is being explored. Initial experiments show that film formation and quality are highly sensitive to curing temperature and solvent removal. These findings thus provide a useful protocol for thin-film processing and have highlighted the most important processing conditions that control coverage, uniformity, and thermal stability. Current research is underway to characterize fabricated thin films using confocal microscopy for quantitative thickness mapping, wettability, and stability analysis together with tests of adhesion between coated films and 3D-printed microfluidic substrates using lap shear and prob pull off testing.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Rahman, Md Arafat, "Thin-Film Sealing for Additive Manufactured Next-Gen Microfluidic Devices" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 196.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/196
Thin-Film Sealing for Additive Manufactured Next-Gen Microfluidic Devices
Russell Union Ballroom
Microfluidic devices plays a crucial role in chemical and biological research, yet their fabrication remains highly time-consuming. Our Sustainable Material Innovation Group at Quirino Lab, in collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering and Physics departments, has addressed this challenge by employing stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing to fabricate microfluidic devices using bio-based polymer systems, such as acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). This approach accelerates fabrication time and enables features difficult to achieve with conventional methods. To be suitable for use, however, these devices must be properly sealed to facilitate controlled liquid transport. Creating a uniform and robust cover on the roofs of microfluidic channels, remains a challenge with 3D printing alone. In this study, the fabrication of thin films of bio-based thermosetting polymers as a means of sealing the top layer of microfluidic channels is investigated with proposed adhesion techniques such as coupled post-curing and plasma surface modification. Thin-film fabrication methods such as drop casting and spin coating were first investigated using the standard polymer systems polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to establish baseline procedures. Similar methods for two bio-based thermosetting polymer systems: AESO derived from residual SLA printing material and a tung oil-based emulsion polymer system
is being explored. Initial experiments show that film formation and quality are highly sensitive to curing temperature and solvent removal. These findings thus provide a useful protocol for thin-film processing and have highlighted the most important processing conditions that control coverage, uniformity, and thermal stability. Current research is underway to characterize fabricated thin films using confocal microscopy for quantitative thickness mapping, wettability, and stability analysis together with tests of adhesion between coated films and 3D-printed microfluidic substrates using lap shear and prob pull off testing.
