A developing class of analytical platforms, known as microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), integrates microfluidic functionality onto paper substrates, enabling precise manipulation and detection of minute fluid volumes. Conventional fabrication methods, such as wax printing and inkjet printing, are limited by uncontrolled spreading on porous paper, often resulting in poor resolution and inconsistent fluid barriers. In this work, we present a rapid, straightforward, and cost-effective approach to fabricating μPADs using a low-cost commercial DLP 3D printer. Within ten minutes, we successfully produced microfluidic channels with a minimum width of 200 ± 10 µm and a thickness of approximately 300 µm. Our fabrication strategy achieved high reproducibility and precision, as evidenced by the consistent clarity of the channels and the reliable fluid transport. Functionality tests confirmed that fluids traversed the channels without clogging or leakage. We further demonstrated a Y-shaped channel capable of efficient color mixing, achieving a mixing efficiency of 96.58%, with its flow behavior recorded in real time. These results highlight the feasibility of combining inexpensive materials with commercially available 3D printing technology for the rapid prototyping of μPADs, paving the way for broader applications in environmental monitoring and point-of-care diagnostics.

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Low-Cost Fabrication of Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices Using an Inexpensive 3D-DLP Printer

  • Dat Nguyen-Tien,
  • Nam Le-Nhat,
  • Son Tran-Anh,
  • Nguyen Le Dung,
  • Trung-Nghia Tran,
  • Tuan Ngoc Anh Vo

摘要

A developing class of analytical platforms, known as microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), integrates microfluidic functionality onto paper substrates, enabling precise manipulation and detection of minute fluid volumes. Conventional fabrication methods, such as wax printing and inkjet printing, are limited by uncontrolled spreading on porous paper, often resulting in poor resolution and inconsistent fluid barriers. In this work, we present a rapid, straightforward, and cost-effective approach to fabricating μPADs using a low-cost commercial DLP 3D printer. Within ten minutes, we successfully produced microfluidic channels with a minimum width of 200 ± 10 µm and a thickness of approximately 300 µm. Our fabrication strategy achieved high reproducibility and precision, as evidenced by the consistent clarity of the channels and the reliable fluid transport. Functionality tests confirmed that fluids traversed the channels without clogging or leakage. We further demonstrated a Y-shaped channel capable of efficient color mixing, achieving a mixing efficiency of 96.58%, with its flow behavior recorded in real time. These results highlight the feasibility of combining inexpensive materials with commercially available 3D printing technology for the rapid prototyping of μPADs, paving the way for broader applications in environmental monitoring and point-of-care diagnostics.