Chapter 3
Manufacturing Methods Overview for Rapid
Prototyping
Nikolay Dimov
1 Motivation
Microfabrication is seldom in the focus of a biological studies but it influences the
performance and functionality of a miniaturised fluidic platform that affects
research outcomes. The scope of this chapter falls on methods, which are accessi-
ble, reproducible, and applicable for small-scale, laboratory production. However,
fundamental techniques such as photo- and soft lithography are also briefly intro-
duced with references to more detailed sources to facilitate the reader in his choice
of fabrication method. It is impossible to cover all the various aspects of microfab-
rication with extensive details in a single chapter, instead an overview of the rapid
and inexpensive methods are conveyed.
2 Selecting a Fabrication Method
Designing a microfluidic platform passes through multiple stages and iterations.
Typically, the design process starts with listing all the functionalities, requirements
and parameters that overarch the functionality of the device (Fig.3.1). Then critical
design dimensions can be determined using background knowledge about the
on-chip operations and the laws of physics that govern them. The critical dimen-
sions serve as a base to select the fabrication process by which the first prototype
can be manufactured. With the fabrication method in mind a suitable material for
manufacturing prototype device is selected. As a designer you need to determine
number of suitable substrates based on those operational criteria, set by target
N. Dimov (*)
Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
e-mail:[email protected]
©Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016
C.K. Dixit, A. Kaushik (eds.),Microfluidics for Biologists,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-40036-5_3
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