The use of microfluidics has become an essential tool for micro-and nano-scale chemical analysis and biological studies. We can perform minimal flow or particles in a minimum amount of liquid or a sample flow with microfluidic systems. Microfluidic systems can be characterized as active or passive, depending on the force applied to the sample or flow. Among the passive microfluidic systems, paper-based microfluidics, also known as micro-pads, are among the most promising methods because they are easy to manufacture and use, are inexpensive, and use low sample volume. Furthermore, micro-pads are the most widely used and suitable for point-of-care testing thanks to their ability to passively move the flow through capillarity and because of their portability. Several methods or techniques have been used to manufacture paper-based microfluidics, such as photolithography, chemical etching, wax printing, paper cutting, wax dipping, laser treatment, and wax screen printing. For paper-based microfluidics through printing, the most common method is using a solid wax printer, especially the Xerox company models. However, this type of solid wax printer has been discontinued and will not be manufactured again. This means that those people who depend on a wax printer to make paper-based microfluidics are limited to the lifespan of the printers they currently own or those models that they still sell used. There is a great need to find new methods of manufacture of paper-based microfluidics and are not dependent on a single team or a specific company.<br/><br/>For this reason, our goal is to develop a paper-based microfluidic manufacturing method using a commercial instrument and wax. This paper-based microfluidics can be used as a passive flow method for the development of flexible wearable biosensors. The paper-based microfluidics manufactured in our laboratory was used as a passive flow for dopamine detection to test the applicability of our paper-based microfluidics towards the manufacture of flexible biosensors.

Development of an easy and accessible paper-based microfluidic manufacturing method using commercial instruments and wax

ACS Spring 2022

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