Step-by-step : A microfluidic (PDMS) staircase device for size sorting microparticles down to 25 µm using a 3D-printed mold

ChemRxiv

Abstract

Microparticles are ubiquitous and span from living matter to microplastics to inorganic materials. Their detection and identification must be more accessible and time efficient. Microfluidic devices can filter microparticles from liquids, but fabricating microfluidics with lateral resolutions of a few tens of microns is complex, lengthy, and outside the reach of most scientists researching microparticles. In this article, we show how to use height features in a channel instead of relying on lateral elements for separating particles. The height features can be as small as 25 µm, along the Z axis, using consumer-grade 3D printers. We show the potential of such microfluidic devices for size-sorting parasite eggs such as Schistosoma haematobium, microplastics, and zooplankton.

Authors 5

1. Aldrik H. Velders

   Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Wageningen University & Research

2. Lisette van Lieshout Aachen

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center

3. Erik A. T. Brienen Aachen

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University Medical Center

4. Benedict Diederich
   Affiliation as printed

   leibniz Institute

5. Vittorio Saggiomo

   Wageningen University & Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Wageningen University & Research