Specific Process Knowledge/Back-end processing/PDMS Microfluidic: Difference between revisions
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'''Baking – Curing''' | '''Baking – Curing''' | ||
The PDMS can cure without heating in ~24 hours. Curing the PDMS at higher temperatures in the oven can decrease the time spent curing. The temperatures between 60°C to 100°C can be used, and the choice must be optimized for the specific device design, and the desired mechanical and surface properties. The curing time depends on the temperature and the thickness of PDMS. As a standard procedure to cure PDMS, place the casted PDMS on the mold in the oven for at least 2 hours at ~80°C. | The PDMS can cure without heating in ~24 hours. Curing the PDMS at higher temperatures in the oven can decrease the time spent curing. The temperatures between 60°C to 100°C can be used, and the choice must be optimized for the specific device design, and the desired mechanical and surface properties. The curing time depends on the temperature and the thickness of PDMS. As a standard procedure to cure PDMS, place the casted PDMS on the mold in the oven for at least 2 hours at ~80°C. | ||
'''Demolding''' | '''Demolding''' | ||
[[File:PDMS film casted.jpg|thumb|Photograph of a PDMS microfluidic wafer]] | |||
After curing, the PDMS microfluidic chip is a solid and chemically inert material. Once cooled, the PDMS is easily peeled off from the mold. The demolding and further processes of cured PDMS must be done in the designated “cured PDMS”. If the demolding does not occur readily, wetting it with isopropanol or ethanol might be helpful. Otherwise, the mold must be conditioned properly before casting the PDMS. | After curing, the PDMS microfluidic chip is a solid and chemically inert material. Once cooled, the PDMS is easily peeled off from the mold. The demolding and further processes of cured PDMS must be done in the designated “cured PDMS”. If the demolding does not occur readily, wetting it with isopropanol or ethanol might be helpful. Otherwise, the mold must be conditioned properly before casting the PDMS. | ||
==3D printing== | ==3D printing== | ||