Microfluidic devices have the benefit for high spatial control and precise mixing, the ideal qualities for reaction kinetic monitoring using light. The workhorse polymer, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) allows for inexpensive and rapid fabrication of such devices. Unfortunately, these devices exhibit high background absorption in the infrared region making them unsuitable for IR spectroscopy. We discuss a novel fabrication technique that affords fabrication of devices as thin as 8 �m.  Our optically thin devices have background absorbances of 0.3 OD and lower.  Simultaneously, the properties and performance of the typical, thicker PDMS devices are maintained.  We demonstrate the utility of these devices for monitoring protein conformations using two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2DIR).

Novel fabrication method for infrared transparent polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic devices

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.