We developed a microfluidic device made entirely of zein (corn protein) as an alternative disposable environmentally friendly microchip for agricultural applications. The thin zein films with microfluidic chambers and channels were fabricated using standard soft lithography and stereo lithography techniques and successfully bonded to a glass surface by vapour deposition method. Zein exhibited sufficient durability to withstand the fluid flow through the channel with no leakage. Here we also demonstrated the zein microfludic device with serpentine mixing design that can be utilized as a mixing unit in integrated microfluidic systems. The diffusion of fluid into bulk zein films was reduced by coating the microchannel with paraffin wax. The ease of bonding of zein to several surfaces enabled the fabrication of a three dimensional microfluidic device. The ease of fabrication and assembly of zein microchips offers attractive possibilities for green microfluidic device design and manufacturing.

Development of biodegradable microfluidic devices made of corn protein

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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