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A universal bonding method for preparation of microfluidic biosensor

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Abstract

Sealing is one of the inevitable process in microfluidic chip fabrication to form complex networks for the biosensing applications. Currently, only a few materials can be used in microfluidic biosensor due to the lack of reliable bonding technique for most materials. To solve the problem of versatility for chip sealing, a novel adhesive bonding method as simple as “tear off–paste on” is developed. PDMS is mixed with a small amount of polyethylenimine solution to prepare a sticky thin layer, which works like a tape to paste on different materials. Various substrates including glass, plastic, metal and ceramics are used for preparation of microfluidic chips with good bonding strength. This method is appealing for its compatibility to traditional replication method using PDMS and SU8 channel mold while the small surface structures of channel walls can be retained. This method is reliable and versatile for microfluidic biosensor sealing, especially for those with biological sensitive recognition elements on the surfaces since neither aggressive chemicals, high temperature nor high-energy plasma is used. The applicability of the developed method is demonstrated to fabricate a novel long-term cell culture 3D microfluidic chip which keeps bacteria viable for more than 7 days.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, grant number 2020CDJYGGD004, 2020CDJGFGDZD016, 2020CDJXZ001, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 61904021, 61971074, Key project of science and technology research program of Chongqing Education Commission of China, grant number KJZD-K201900103, the Pioneer Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, grant number cstc2019jcyj-xfkxX0003 and National Key Research and Development Program of China, grant number 2019YFC0214400. We thank Mr. Hong He from College of Physics, Chongqing University for the help in calculation of bonding strength using COMSOL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and Systems, Ministry of Education and Key Disciplines Laboratory of Novel Micro-Nano Devices and System Technology, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Pengyong Liu, Bangyong Sun, Yuan Gao, Wei Qi, Yi Xu, Li Chen, Li Wang & Shunbo Li

  2. International R & D Center of Micro-nano Systems and New Materials Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Pengyong Liu, Yuan Gao, Yi Xu, Li Chen, Li Wang & Shunbo Li

  3. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, China

    Zilan Lv & Chuang Ge

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  1. Pengyong Liu
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  2. Zilan Lv
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  3. Bangyong Sun
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  4. Yuan Gao
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  5. Wei Qi
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  6. Yi Xu
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  7. Li Chen
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  8. Li Wang
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  9. Chuang Ge
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  10. Shunbo Li
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Correspondence to Shunbo Li.

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Liu, P., Lv, Z., Sun, B. et al. A universal bonding method for preparation of microfluidic biosensor. Microfluid Nanofluid 25, 43 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-021-02445-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-021-02445-8

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