Microfluidic Channel Surface Modification and Functionalization Services

Creative Biolabs' microfabrication surface modification and functionalization services provide unique solutions for microfluidic technology and miniaturized analytical tools. Our team engineers surfaces with tailored wettability, chemical functionality, biomolecule affinity, antifouling behavior, and selective responsiveness.

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Fig. 1 Simplified microfluidic system. (Wei, et al., 2005)

Our Core Service Offerings

We possess a full range of advanced technologies and can provide comprehensive technical support to enhance the precision and stability of microfluidic devices.

Plasma surface activation is one of our key core technologies. It cleans and preprocesses the surfaces of microfluidic channels, enabling tighter adhesion of material surface coatings or bonding layers. Additionally, it enhances the wettability of microfluidic channels to optimize their fluid dynamics, ensuring consistent performance of microfluidic devices.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is another area of our expertise. This technology creates ultra-thin, wear-resistant super coatings for microfluidic components, enhancing device durability while improving the electrical conductivity of integrated modules.
We also offer chemical grafting services, which immobilize functional molecules responsive to specific changes on channel surfaces. When certain changes (such as corrosion) occur in the channels, they can be detected more promptly—making this service ideal for point-of-care microfluidic diagnostic tools.
We also offer a range of other biofunctionalization technologies widely applicable in biomedical microfluidics, such as antibody immobilization and cell-compatible surface engineering. By treating the surfaces of microfluidic devices, these technologies enable biological samples to exhibit enhanced activity.

All our services support specialized customization, which can be adaptively adjusted based on your microfluidic material type, application objectives, and operating environment.

Key Technology Methodologies

We employ a curated range of proven and innovative techniques to achieve precise surface modification.

Techniques	Descriptions
Dry methods (Plasma treatment)	We use energized gas to alter the surface chemistry of microfluidic devices. Since no liquid residues are left behind, this method is ideal for microfluidic channels requiring high cleanliness. The residue-free operation prevents contamination, ensuring the consistent stability of sample properties.
PVD techniques (Including sputtering and evaporation)	It can produce ultra-thin metallic or ceramic coatings with excellent adhesion, thereby effectively enhancing the integrated sensing capabilities of microfluidic components.
Wet methods (Chemical grafting)	Functional groups are immobilized on microfluidic surfaces via controlled reactions, enabling specific chemical functions such as biomolecule capture or compatibility with special reagents—suitable for various detection applications.
Bioapplications (layer-by-layer)	It can gently immobilize biomolecules on the surface of microfluidic devices while preserving their activity, making it suitable for scenarios such as various immunoassays or cell microfluidic tests.

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Streamlined Service Process

We prioritize transparency and efficiency to keep your projects on track. Our proven four-step process:

Begins with a detailed consultation, where our engineers collaborate with you to define material requirements, functional goals, and project timelines.
Next, we develop a customized technical plan, including prototype testing if needed to refine the approach.
The third phase involves precision execution, using controlled processes to deliver consistent surface modifications.
Finally, we provide thorough quality verification alongside your finished components, paired with ongoing technical support to address any post-delivery questions.

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Diverse Industry Applications

Our services drive innovation across key sectors.

Applications	Descriptions
Electronics	Special surface treatment of microfluidic devices significantly enhances the solderability of integrated sensors, which is crucial for the stability of electronic systems.
Biomedical applications	Biofunctionalized microfluidic chips, through surface optimization, can bind biomarkers, enabling rapid, low-volume disease detection, drug screening, and personalized medical testing.
Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)	Adding a wear-resistant coating to the surface of integrated microfluidic devices significantly enhances their wear resistance, reducing maintenance costs for industrial equipment or clinical testing instruments.
Emerging fields	Various emerging microfluidic technologies can be more easily implemented through our surface treatment, such as flexible microfluidics. For non-planar microfluidic components, our conformal surface treatment technology ensures consistent fluid flow and stable device functionality.

Client Testimonials

"The surface functionalization of our MEMS sensors resolved the friction issues that had plagued our previous designs. Their team's ability to understand our technical needs and deliver tailored solutions was impressive."

— Dr. James Carter, R&D Director

"For our diagnostic devices, their biofunctionalization service improved performance while simplifying our process. Their attention to detail gave us full confidence in the final product."

— Sarah Liu, Operations Manager

"We trusted them with our biomedical implant surfaces. The biocompatibility results were consistent, and their post-delivery support answered all our follow-up questions."

— Dr. Emily Rodriguez, R&D Lead

"We needed microchannel surfaces capable of selectively binding ECM proteins for organ-on-chip experiments. The customized surface functionalization from Creative Biolabs led to remarkable improvements in cell attachment and long-term stability."

— Robert Taylor, Engineering Director

Published Data

Fast fabrication of complex surficial micro-features using sequential lithography and jet electrochemical machining

A study utilized a cross-innovative hybrid process inspired by photolithography and Jet-ECM to fabricate complex surface microstructures. The process, termed Mask Electrolyte Jet Machining (MEJM), combines the high resolution of photolithography with the greater flexibility of Jet-ECM. As a non-contact fabrication technique, MEJM enables the creation of diverse microstructures on challenging-to-process materials without requiring expensive molds. Research findings demonstrate that this technology can produce micro-letters with excellent repeatability (minimum standard deviation of shape error rate 0.297%) and dimensional accuracy (minimum shape error 0.039%). The results indicate that MEJM holds promise as a scalable manufacturing solution for surface microstructures, offering high production efficiency.

A schematic diagram of the MEJM process. (OA Literature) Fig.1 Schematic view of the steps in mask electrolyte jet machining process.^1,2

References

Wu, M.; Kumar Saxena, K.; Guo, Z.; Qian, J.; Reynaerts, D. "Fast Fabrication of Complex Surficial Micro-Features Using Sequential Lithography and Jet Electrochemical Machining." Micromachines 2020, 11, 948. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11100948
Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

Created November 2025

FAQs

Q: Will surface modification affect the dimensional precision of my micro-components?

A: No, that's not the case. We have extensive practical processing experience and will produce pre-production samples to ensure the dimensional accuracy of the final products meets actual requirements.

Q: Do you provide biomolecule immobilization on microchannel surfaces?

A: Absolutely. We functionalize surfaces with carboxyl, amine, epoxy, thiol, or aldehyde groups for stable antibody, DNA, peptide, or ECM protein coupling, supporting diagnostic assays, cell studies, and biochemical sensing.

Q: How do you ensure long-term stability of functionalized surfaces?

A: We validate chemical stability through accelerated aging, solvent exposure tests, repeated flow cycles, and storage condition simulation to ensure predictable performance in real-world use scenarios.

Q: Do you support pre-bond and post-bond surface modification?

A: We provide both. Pre-bond modification is ideal for deeply functionalized channels; post-bond treatment is suitable for localized modification or selective patterning inside enclosed microchannels.

Q: Can you assist with selecting the optimal surface chemistry for my application?

A: Yes. Our team evaluates your assay type, fluid composition, detection method, and chip material to recommend the most compatible surface chemistry and modification strategy.

Q: What is the typical turnaround time for surface modification projects?

A: Standard modification projects take 1–2 weeks. Complex functionalization may require 3–4 weeks depending on the scope and QC requirements.

Take the Next Step Toward Precision

Ready to transform your preclinical research? Get a Quote Now

Contact our technical team today for a free consultation to discuss your project's unique needs. We'll tailor a surface modification solution that enhances durability, functionality, and market appeal—because at the micro level, every detail counts.