Problem
Low-cost microfluidic devices made of plastics suffered from poor fluid flow since the polymeric materials are hydrophobic in nature. Additionally, proteins from the assay would stick to the fluid channels leaving a fluorescence signature.
Solution
IST engineered a hydrophilic coating using an Atomic Layer Deposition coating within the fluidic channels. IST’s low-temperature ALD process was able to deposit a coating below the Tg of the µ-fluidic device that was hydrophilic.
Result
A production coating process was qualified. The hydrophilic properties results in auto-priming of the fluidic device. Using IST’s large reactor chamber, a cost-effective solution at only pennies per device was achieved.