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Microfluidics · 2023

3D Printing of Individualized Microfluidic Chips with DLP-Based Printer

Microfluidic chips have shown their potential for applications in fields such as chemistry and biology, and 3D printing is increasingly utilized as the fabrication method for microfluidic chips. To address key issues such as the long printing time for conventional 3D printing of a single chip and the demand for rapid response in individualized microfluidic chip customization, we have optimized the use of DLP (digital light processing) technology, which offers faster printing speeds due to its surface exposure method.

Performance the paper reports

1 of 5
  1. Motion—Motion accuracy: not reported
  2. Volume—Volumetric accuracy: not reported
  3. Viability64 % day 1 falling to 32 % day 4 on the bare chip; >85 % from day 2 with GelMA coatingCell viability: reported
  4. Unattended—Unattended operation: not reported
  5. Standard—Standard compliance: not reported
  • Cell viability64 % day 1 falling to 32 % day 4 on the bare chip; >85 % from day 2 with GelMA coating
    [curated] Results: "The cell viability decreases from 64.03 ± 2.70% on the first day to 32.13 ± 5.56% on the fourth day. In contrast, the chip treated with GelMA gel ... on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days, the cell viability remains above 85%". The extractor had taken the ±2.70 % standard deviation.

How hard this is to adopt

3.4 of 5, higher is easier

Each score is shown against the range the other 59 builds actually occupy, because no criterion uses the full 1–5 scale. These describe how reproducible the build is, not how good the science is.

  • Resolution

    3/1–5

    Smallest feature/positioning evidence about 100-200 µm.

  • Throughput

    3/2–5

    Moderate scalability via modularity, batching, or partial automation.

  • Parts sourcing

    3/2–4

    Mix of common parts and custom/printed components.

  • Skill needed

    4/2–4

    Build/operation described as low-skill or basic assembly.

  • Facilities needed

    3/2–4

    Requires accessible but nontrivial lab/maker equipment.

  • Documentation

    3/2–5

    Some open documentation or files are available.

  • Validation effort

    4/2–4

    Validation includes standards, benchmarking, replicates, or multi-condition tests.

  • Cycle time

    4/1–4

    Speed evidence suggests rapid, real-time, or automated operation.

2 further criteria are recorded but not shown
  • Application Level — scored 4 (75% of records share one value), so it cannot separate one build from another.
  • Build Time (scored for only 6 of 60 records), so it cannot separate one build from another.

Both remain in the published dataset.

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Record metadata

Publication

Year
2023
Venue
Unknown
DOI
10.3390/ma16216984
Type
Unspecified

Implementation

Open-source
Uncertain
Repository
Not linked
Build complexity
Unspecified
Approximate cost
Unknown
Publication data

Matched by doi · retrieved 2026-07-21

Abstract

Microfluidic chips have shown their potential for applications in fields such as chemistry and biology, and 3D printing is increasingly utilized as the fabrication method for microfluidic chips. To address key issues such as the long printing time for conventional 3D printing of a single chip and the demand for rapid response in individualized microfluidic chip customization, we have optimized the use of DLP (digital light processing) technology, which offers faster printing speeds due to its surface exposure method. In this study, we specifically focused on developing a fast-manufacturing process for directly printing microfluidic chips, addressing the high cost of traditional microfabrication processes and the lengthy production times associated with other 3D printing methods for microfluidic chips. Based on the designed three-dimensional chip model, we utilized a DLP-based printer to directly print two-dimensional and three-dimensional microfluidic chips with photosensitive resin. To overcome the challenge of clogging in printing microchannels, we proposed a printing method that combined an open-channel design with transparent adhesive tape sealing. This method enables the rapid printing of microfluidic chips with complex and intricate microstructures. This research provides a crucial foundation for the development of microfluidic chips in biomedical research.

Bibliographic details

Published
2023-10-31
Journal/source
Materials
Publisher
MDPI AG
DOI
10.3390/ma16216984
Type
journal-article
Language
en
Volume / issue
16 / 21
Pages
6984
ISSN
1996-1944

Access and metrics

Open access
Yes
OA status
gold
License
cc-by
Version
publishedVersion
Cited by
26
References
38
Retracted
No
Open-access landing page

Authors and affiliations

  1. Jingjiang QiuCorresponding authorZhengzhou University
  2. Junfu LiZhengzhou University
  3. Zhongwei GuoZhengzhou University
  4. Yudong ZhangZhengzhou University
  5. Bangbang NieZhengzhou University
  6. Guochen QiZhengzhou University
  7. Xiang ZhangZhengzhou University
  8. Jiong ZhangCity University of Hong Kong
  9. Ronghan WeiCorresponding authorZhengzhou University · Zhengzhou University of Industrial Technology

Topics and keywords

3D Printing in Biomedical ResearchInnovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques InnovationMicrofluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis ApplicationsMicrofluidicsMicrofabrication3D printingNanotechnologyMaterials scienceDigital printing3d printerMicrofluidic chipInkwellFabricationComputer scienceEngineering

Funding

  • National Natural Science Foundation of China · 52171193
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China · HNGD2023001
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China · 201901011
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China · HZKY20220283
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China · GZKF-202014
  • High-level Foreign Expert Introduction Plan of Henan Province · 52171193
  • High-level Foreign Expert Introduction Plan of Henan Province · HNGD2023001
  • High-level Foreign Expert Introduction Plan of Henan Province · 201901011
  • High-level Foreign Expert Introduction Plan of Henan Province · HZKY20220283
  • High-level Foreign Expert Introduction Plan of Henan Province · GZKF-202014
  • Henan Postdoctoral Science Foundation · 52171193
  • Henan Postdoctoral Science Foundation · HNGD2023001
  • Henan Postdoctoral Science Foundation · 201901011
  • Henan Postdoctoral Science Foundation · HZKY20220283
  • Henan Postdoctoral Science Foundation · GZKF-202014
  • Chunhui Plan of Ministry of Education of China · 52171193
  • Chunhui Plan of Ministry of Education of China · HNGD2023001
  • Chunhui Plan of Ministry of Education of China · 201901011
  • Chunhui Plan of Ministry of Education of China · HZKY20220283
  • Chunhui Plan of Ministry of Education of China · GZKF-202014
  • Open Foundation of the State Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems · 52171193
  • Open Foundation of the State Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems · HNGD2023001
  • Open Foundation of the State Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems · 201901011
  • Open Foundation of the State Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems · HZKY20220283
  • Open Foundation of the State Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems · GZKF-202014
Perspective and practical signals

Why it matters

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Limitations

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