Analysis of a Simple Method to Change the Wettability of the PDMS Surface for Biomicrofluidic Applications

Inês Gonçalves, Inês Gonçalves, Diana Pinho, Andrea Zille, Hirokazu Kaji, Graça Minas, Rui Lima, Rui Lima, Rui Lima, Patrícia Sousa, Ana Moita, Ana Moita

2023

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 treatment 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.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Gonçalves I., Pinho D., Zille A., Kaji H., Minas G., Lima R., Sousa P. and Moita A. (2023). Analysis of a Simple Method to Change the Wettability of the PDMS Surface for Biomicrofluidic Applications. In Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2023) - Volume 1: BIODEVICES; ISBN 978-989-758-631-6, SciTePress, pages 116-120. DOI: 10.5220/0011651900003414

in Bibtex Style

@conference{biodevices23,
author={Inês Gonçalves and Diana Pinho and Andrea Zille and Hirokazu Kaji and Graça Minas and Rui Lima and Patrícia Sousa and Ana Moita},
title={Analysis of a Simple Method to Change the Wettability of the PDMS Surface for Biomicrofluidic Applications},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2023) - Volume 1: BIODEVICES},
year={2023},
pages={116-120},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0011651900003414},
isbn={978-989-758-631-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 16th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2023) - Volume 1: BIODEVICES
TI - Analysis of a Simple Method to Change the Wettability of the PDMS Surface for Biomicrofluidic Applications
SN - 978-989-758-631-6
AU - Gonçalves I.
AU - Pinho D.
AU - Zille A.
AU - Kaji H.
AU - Minas G.
AU - Lima R.
AU - Sousa P.
AU - Moita A.
PY - 2023
SP - 116
EP - 120
DO - 10.5220/0011651900003414
PB - SciTePress