Abstract

DLP-based Stereolithography For Rapid-Prototyping of Microfluidic Actuators

Alireza Ahmadianyazdi, Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Washington

The process of stereolithographic 3D-printing (SLA) can produce highly precise microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices, but the resulting plastics often lack the mechanical flexibility of elastomers like poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS), which hinders the ability to create efficient microfluidic actuators. In this presentation, I introduce a new photopolymer resin, PEGDA-co-PEGMEMA, which is a blend of two monomers that can be tuned to adjust the elastic modulus of the printed plastic. This allows the plastic to reach the same level of flexibility as PDMS while retaining desirable properties of SLA-printed poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), such as low drug absorption and cytocompatibility. I will then demonstrate the potential of PEGDA-co-PEGMEMA for creating functional 3D-printed microfluidic devices by using it to create high-performance microvalves, micropumps, and microregulators with a custom multimaterial printing protocol with a desktop DLP-based SLA.