Abstract

Innovative Methods in the Characterization of Microfluidic Devices for High Volume Manufacturing

Magdalena Schimke, Sales Specialist, STRATEC Consumables GmbH

The range of applications for microfluidic devices is constantly expanding and so are the challenges for manufacturing. There is always exitement for the development of new manufacturing methods, but the importance of new analytical methods is often underestimated by contract manufacturers. Here we present our latest advances in the metrology for injection molded microfluidic devices. Especially in the development of nm-sized fluidic channels, µm-sized fluidic channels with nm-precision, and devices with a combination of inorganic and organic coatings we came across challenges that required new analytical methods. The questions range from a simple "how deep is a microfluidic channel after bonding", to "what manufacturing process has the biggest impact on channel roughness - from Mastering to the finished device". To answer these questions, we had to find new ways to characterize the different processes along the manufacturing chain. The analytical methods that we developed opened up the door to new types of devices, or made it possible to mass manufacture new high complexity consumables.