Authors:
Inês Gonçalves
1
;
2
;
Diana Pinho
3
;
Andrea Zille
4
;
Hirokazu Kaji
5
;
Graça Minas
6
;
Rui Lima
1
;
7
;
8
;
Patrícia Sousa
3
and
Ana Moita
2
;
9
Affiliations:
1
METRICS, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
;
2
IN+, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
;
3
Integrated Micro and Nanotechnologies, INL International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
;
4
2C2T - Centre for Textile Science and Technology, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
;
5
Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
;
6
Center for MicroElectromechanical Systems (CMEMS-UMinho), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
;
7
CEFT, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
;
8
ALiCE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
;
9
Centro de Investigação Desenvolvimento e Inovação da Academia Militar, Academia Militar, Instituto Universitário Militar, Rua Gomes Freire, 1169-203, Lisboa, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Wettability, PDMS, Biomicrofluidic Applications, Microscopy, Optical Tensiometer, Spectroscopy.
Abstract:
One of the most often utilized materials for making microfluidic devices is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Organs-on-a-chip (OoC) is a novel class of devices that blends cell culture with microfluidic technology. These devices replicate the microphysiological characteristics of the human body to make it easier to research both healthy and unhealthy conditions. Due to its mechanical and chemical characteristics, as well as the fact that it is a biocompatible and inert substance, PDMS is one of the materials of choice to manufacture OoC. However, PDMS has the tendency to promote the adsorption of non-specific molecules due to its hydrophobic properties, which may impede cell culture adhesion and growth and reduce the specificity of several biochemical tests. It is also necessary to use external sources for flow control, such as syringe pumps, due to the hydrophobicity of the materials’ potential effects on fluid flow within the microchannels of microfluidic devices. Oxygen plasma treatme
nt is one of the frequently used methods for enhancing the wettability of the PDMS surface. This strategy is, however, only effective for a limited time. Another tactic is to add ingredients like surfactants during manufacturing to change the bulk of PDMS. In this study, PDMS was mixed with a variety of surfactants at a concentration of 1% wt. The wettability changes were examined on the day the samples were collected and one week later. A week after manufacture, two surfactants continued to improve the wettability of the PDMS surface to a hydrophilic behavior.
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