Rapid large area fabrication of multiscale through-hole membranes. Issue 10 (27th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tahk, Dongha; Paik, Sang-Min; Lim, Jungeun; Bang, Seokyoung; Oh, Soojung; Ryu, Hyunryul; Jeon, Noo Li
• Is Part Of: Lab on a chip. Volume 17:Issue 10(2017)
• Page Start: 1817
• Page End: 1825
• Publication Date: 2017-04-27
• Subjects: Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Combinatorial chemistry -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 543.0813
• DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00363c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-0197

Abstract

Abstract : This paper describes novel fabrication methods for a large-area, freestanding micro/nano through-hole membrane constructed from versatile membrane materials using through-hole membranes on a microfluidic chip (THMMC). Abstract : There are many proposed mechanisms by which single cells can be trapped; among them is the through-hole membrane for the characterization of individual microorganisms. Due to the small scale of the fabricated pores, the construction of through-hole membranes on a large scale and with relatively large areas faces many difficulties. This paper describes novel fabrication methods for a large-area, freestanding micro/nano through-hole membrane constructed from versatile membrane materials using through-hole membranes on a microfluidic chip (THMMC). This process can rapidly (<20 min) fabricate membranes with high fidelity multiscale hole size without residual layers. The through-hole site was easily customizable from the micro to the nanoscale, with a low or high aspect ratio giving rise to reliable membranes. Also, the rigidity and biocompatibility of the through-hole membrane are easily tunable by simple injection of versatile membrane materials to obtain a large area (up to 3600 mm 2 ). Membranes produced in this manner were then applied as a proof of concept for the isolation, cultivation, and quantification of individual micro-algal cells for selection with respect to the growth rate, while controlling the quorum sensing mediated metabolic and proliferative changes.