3D Printing Service
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Cutting-edge microfabrication technology platforms and advanced equipment allow Creative Biolabs to provide one-stop 3D printing and construction services of microfluidic chips for clients all over the world.
3D Printing for Microfluidic
Generally speaking, the fabrication technology of microfluidic chips is mostly directly inherited from the semiconductor industry. Although this type of technology can complete the high-precision processing of microfluidic chips with high quality, the process is complicated. Prolonged processing time and complex process protocol lead to high costs, which are often unacceptable when developing chips with new structures and functions or building test prototypes.
With the advancement of technology and the optimization of process protocol, Creative Biolabs has extended the application of 3D printing technology to the construction of microfluidic chips, which has become a cost-effective alternative for prototyping and small-scale production. Various 3D printing technologies can directly form embedded microfluidic channels with a precision of hundreds of micrometers in the polymer film without bonding, while stereolithography equipment can achieve a precision of 200 μm. In addition, the chip fabrication technology based on 3D printing has the incomparable flexibility of the traditional micro-fabrication technology. The designed drawings do not need to go through inversion or etching, and it only takes a short time from design to fabrication.
Fig.1 3D printing minimum resolution varies with processing temperature and nozzle size. (Orabi, et al., 2022)
3D Printing Methods
3D printing is also called additive manufacturing. Its principle is to continuously add raw materials layer by layer according to the design drawings by computer. The pre-established 3D model on the engineering drawing software will be cut into continuous 2D layers in the printing device, and then the material will be printed and solidified layer by layer to reconstruct the 3D characteristics of the target object. The processing accuracy of 3D printing is determined by the equipment resolution, nozzle size, materials and curing process. The specificity of additive manufacturing makes it possible for 3D printing to construct any shape in 3D space theoretically, including curved surfaces, inclined surfaces or irregular shapes that are difficult to obtain in conventional photolithography.
Fig.2 Straight channel and curved channel fabricated by 3D printing. (Jin, et al., 2022)
3D printing methods can be further classified into stereolithography (SLA), electron beam melting (EBM), fused deposition (FDM) and bioprinting based on principle differences.
Table.1 3D Printing Methods
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Printing Methods
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Material
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Energy Source
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Benefits
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Drawbacks
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SLA
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Photocurable resin/polymer, Elastomer, Ceramics, Photopolymer, etc.
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UV/Laser
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High-quality smooth surface;
Fine resolution;
Direct printing of channels or complex structures;
No need of bonding.
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Requires subsequent processing and curing;
Slow printing;
Limited choice of materials.
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FDM
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Thermoplastics, PET, PS, PC, ABS, etc.
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Thermal
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High-speed, low-cost prototype fabrication;
Ease of support removal;
Use of cheap biocompatible polymers.
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Restricted accuracy;
Limited choice of transparent materials;
Weak mechanical properties.
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Bioprinting
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Photocurable resin, Hydrogels, viscous materials, etc.
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Laser/UV
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Multiple biocompatible materials;
Cells can be printed simultaneously.
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Viscous solution occasionally clogs the system;
Low build rate.
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With the help of our well-trained staff, Creative Biolabs provides efficient, low-cost 3D printing services with good resolution, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to discuss any needs.
References
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Jin, Y.; et al. Time‑efficient fabrication method for 3D‑printed microfluidic devices. Nature. 2022, 12: 1233.
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Orabi, M.; et al. Monolithically 3D-printed microfluidics with embedded µTesla pump. Nature Research. 2023, 14: 237.
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
