Preparation of a Fractal-Fractal-Rhombus (FFR) Concentration Gradient Chip Using a CO2 Laser and the Hot Bonding Method
Y. Chen, M-H. Li, Guang Yang and X. He
We designed and manufactured a fractal-fractal-rhombus (FFR) concentration gradient chip that can be injected with two distinct concentration solutions to generate multiple concentration gradient effects. Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) was utilized as the raw material and a CO2 laser was used to cut the FFR microchannels and the splitter. To determine the optimal laser operating parameter three different values of the levels were selected to form an orthogonal test: processing speed, processing power and distance of the laser head from the plate on the cutting effect. Numerical analysis was then used to establish the ideal laser operating parameters. The substrate and the cover of the microchannel were sealed together via hot bonding. The last experiment demonstrated that a better concentration gradient effect may be produced with FFR. It also demonstrated that CO2 laser processing, which was inexpensive, highly effective and quick, was a major method in the production of microfluidic chips.
Keywords: CO2 laser, poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), microfluidic chip, fractal-fractal-rhombus (FFR), laser cutting, hot bonding, concentration gradient, orthogonal test, numerical analysis