Program for Promoting Academic Excellence of Universities

Development of Microfluidic Systems for auto-Sampling

....We report an innovative microfluidic chip capable of guiding multiple bio-samples to sensing regions where specific molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) films are deposited such that highly-sensitive, highly-specific bio-sensing could be achieved. The microfluidic chip is made of natively-hydrophobic poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials. We develop a novel surface modification process using the combination of oxygen plasma and post-chemical treatment to extend the hydrophilicity of the material and successfully apply this method to form a micro-hydrophobic valve on PDMS. With this approach, step-wise motion of bio-fluids could be achieved. A power-free fluid driving system could be achieved.

....MIP is a versatile method for creating macromolecular matrices that exhibit the behavior of selective molecular recognition. The characteristic of the unique selectivity allows MIPs to be the first-priority choice for the sensing, bio-mimetic sensor and many other applications. The combination of microfluidic devices and MIP sensing films provides a powerful tool capable of binding specific nano-scale molecules.

....In summary, we report a method to deposit MIP films on the sensing zones of a multi-sampling microfluidic chips. Step-wise motion of bio-samples could be achieved by forming hydrophobic valves around the MIP zones. Different MIP films could be used to create macromolecular matrices that exhibit the behavior of selective molecular recognition. With this approach, a powerful tool for binding specific nano-scale molecules could be realized.