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Micromachines
Special Issues
Polymer Based Microsystems
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Polymer Based Microsystems

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "A：Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2019) | Viewed by 22513

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rafael Taboryski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: micro- and nanofabrication; microfluidics; polymer micro- and nanosystems; surface engineering; surface wetting
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research within micro-systems engineering targeting, for example, biomedical or biotech applications, has to a large extent, moved from silica-based to polymer-based materials platforms. This trend is partly driven by the need to lower entry barriers for commercialization and to ease design-for-manufacturability of bio-MEMS, microfluidics, and lab-on-chip systems. However, one of the main challenges of shifting to a polymer platform is the technology barrier that exists between flexible proof-of-principle approaches and high-volume, low-cost, production friendly, but less flexible approaches. Moreover, the architectures of micro-systems targeting specific applications usually impose very special requirements making standardization almost impossible. More research on polymer micro-systems is thus required. With this Special Issue, we welcome research papers that address the above-mentioned challenges. We will consider the full breadth of research papers on polymer microsystems, from engineering papers to more application-focused papers in which a polymer materials platform is employed.

Dr. Rafael Taboryski
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer microsystems
  • lab-on-chip
  • microfluidics
  • bio-MEMS
  • point-of-care diagnostics
  • high throughput screening
  • cell culturing
  • bio-sensors
  • electrophysiology
  • electrochemical sensors

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 9678 KiB  
Article
3D Printed Multi-Functional Hydrogel Microneedles Based on High-Precision Digital Light Processing
by Wei Yao, Didi Li, Yuliang Zhao, Zhikun Zhan, Guoqing Jin, Haiyi Liang and Runhuai Yang
Micromachines 2020, 11(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11010017 - 23 Dec 2019
Cited by 73 | Viewed by 6579
Abstract
Traditional injection and extraction devices often appear painful and cumbersome for patients. In recent years, polymer microneedles (MNs) have become a novel tool in the field of clinical medicine and health. However, the cost of building MNs into any shapes still remains a [...] Read more.
Traditional injection and extraction devices often appear painful and cumbersome for patients. In recent years, polymer microneedles (MNs) have become a novel tool in the field of clinical medicine and health. However, the cost of building MNs into any shapes still remains a challenge. In this paper, we proposed hydrogel microneedles fabricated by high-precision digital light processing (H-P DLP) 3D printing system. Benefits from the sharp protuberance and micro-porous of the hydrogel microneedle, the microneedle performed multifunctional tasks such as drug delivery and detection with minimally invasion. Critical parameters for the fabrication process were analyzed, and the mechanical properties of MNs were measured to find a balance between precision and stiffness. Results shows that the stiffness and precision were significantly influenced by exposure time of each layer, and optimized printing parameters provided a balance between precision and stiffness. Bio-compatible MNs based on our H-P DLP system was able to execute drug injection and drug detection in our experiments. This work provided a low-cost and fast method to build MNs with 3D building, qualified the mechanical performance, drug injection, drug detection ability of MNs, and may be helpful for the potential clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Based Microsystems)
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10 pages, 2576 KiB  
Article
A Shared-Electrode and Nested-Tube Structure Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Motion Energy Harvesting
by Zhumei Tian, Guicheng Shao, Qiong Zhang, Yanan Geng and Xi Chen
Micromachines 2019, 10(10), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10100656 - 29 Sep 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2914
Abstract
Triboelectric nanogenerators with the function of harvesting human motion energy have attracted wide attention. Here, we demonstrate a shared-electrode and nested-tube structure triboelectric nanogenerator (SNTN) for harvesting human motion energy. The design of the SNTN employs flexible silicone rubber as the negative friction [...] Read more.
Triboelectric nanogenerators with the function of harvesting human motion energy have attracted wide attention. Here, we demonstrate a shared-electrode and nested-tube structure triboelectric nanogenerator (SNTN) for harvesting human motion energy. The design of the SNTN employs flexible silicone rubber as the negative friction material and Ni-coated polyester conductive textile as the positive friction material and the electrode material. The entire structure consists of an inner triboelectric unit and an outer triboelectric unit. The inner triboelectric unit is formed by a hollow inner tube and a hollow middle tube, while the hollow middle tube and a hollow outer tube constitute the outer triboelectric unit. The hollow middle tube is used as the shared tube, and the electrode in the middle tube is used as the shared electrode of the two triboelectric units. Our research demonstrates that the output performance of the SNTN was improved significantly compared with a single triboelectric unit due to the cooperation of the two triboelectric units. When the SNTN is pressed by 300 N external force, output open-circuit voltage of 180 V and output short-circuit current of 8.5 μA can be obtained. The output electrical energy can light up 31 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) connected serially (displaying “XZTC”) and can drive a digital clock after rectifying storage, which shows application prospects in the field of illuminating devices and portable electronics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Based Microsystems)
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12 pages, 1212 KiB  
Article
Metallization of Organically Modified Ceramics for Microfluidic Electrochemical Assays
by Ashkan Bonabi, Sari Tähkä, Elisa Ollikainen, Ville Jokinen and Tiina Sikanen
Micromachines 2019, 10(9), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10090605 - 12 Sep 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3240
Abstract
Organically modified ceramic polymers (ORMOCERs) have attracted substantial interest in biomicrofluidic applications owing to their inherent biocompatibility and high optical transparency even in the near-ultraviolet (UV) range. However, the processes for metallization of ORMOCERs as well as for sealing of metallized surfaces have [...] Read more.
Organically modified ceramic polymers (ORMOCERs) have attracted substantial interest in biomicrofluidic applications owing to their inherent biocompatibility and high optical transparency even in the near-ultraviolet (UV) range. However, the processes for metallization of ORMOCERs as well as for sealing of metallized surfaces have not been fully developed. In this study, we developed metallization processes for a commercial ORMOCER formulation, Ormocomp, covering several commonly used metals, including aluminum, silver, gold, and platinum. The obtained metallizations were systematically characterized with respect to adhesion (with and without adhesion layers), resistivity, and stability during use (in electrochemical assays). In addition to metal adhesion, the possibility for Ormocomp bonding over each metal as well as sufficient step coverage to guarantee conductivity over topographical features (e.g., over microchannel edges) was addressed with a view to the implementation of not only planar, but also three-dimensional on-chip sensing elements. The feasibility of the developed metallization for implementation of microfluidic electrochemical assays was demonstrated by fabricating an electrophoresis separation chip, compatible with a commercial bipotentiostat, and incorporating integrated working, reference, and auxiliary electrodes for amperometric detection of an electrochemically active pharmaceutical, acetaminophen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Based Microsystems)
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18 pages, 13843 KiB  
Article
3D Printing of Metallic Microstructured Mould Using Selective Laser Melting for Injection Moulding of Plastic Microfluidic Devices
by Nan Zhang, Jinghang Liu, Honggang Zhang, Nigel J. Kent, Dermot Diamond and Michael D. Gilchrist
Micromachines 2019, 10(9), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10090595 - 10 Sep 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5101
Abstract
A new method, a 3D printing technique, in particular, selective laser melting (SLM), has been used to fabricate moulds for the injection moulding of thermoplastic microfluidic chips that are suitable for prototyping and early stage scale-up. The micro metallic patterns are printed on [...] Read more.
A new method, a 3D printing technique, in particular, selective laser melting (SLM), has been used to fabricate moulds for the injection moulding of thermoplastic microfluidic chips that are suitable for prototyping and early stage scale-up. The micro metallic patterns are printed on to a pre-finished substrate to form a microstructured mould. The dimensional accuracy, surface morphology, bonding strength between the printed patterns and substrate, as well as the microstructure of micro features were all characterized. A microfluidic mould was successfully printed and used directly for injection moulding of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) microfluidic chips, which were used subsequently to successfully monitor nitrite concentrations in environmental water. The characterization indicated that this new process can be used for fast fabrication of mould tools for injection moulding/hot embossing microfluidic devices. It is faster, more flexible and less expensive than conventional micro-machining processes, although the accuracy and finish are still needed to improve though process optimization and hybrid SLM and machining processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Based Microsystems)
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9 pages, 3795 KiB  
Article
A Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Aligned P(VDF-TrFE) Nanofibers
by Sujian You, Lingling Zhang, Jinzheng Gui, Heng Cui and Shishang Guo
Micromachines 2019, 10(5), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10050302 - 05 May 2019
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4198
Abstract
Aligned P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers are successfully fabricated by advanced electrospinning. The aligned feature of the nanofibers is achieved by using parallel electrodes, which is fabricated by lithography and wet etching, and a rotating drum collector. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that the nanofibers [...] Read more.
Aligned P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers are successfully fabricated by advanced electrospinning. The aligned feature of the nanofibers is achieved by using parallel electrodes, which is fabricated by lithography and wet etching, and a rotating drum collector. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that the nanofibers are highly ordered with a smooth surface and uniform diameter. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum (FTIR) tests indicate that the fibers contain high β phase content. The nanogenerator based on aligned P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers exhibits good electric performance with a maximum output voltage as high as 12 V and peak-peak short circuit current about 150 nA, highlighting the potential application of P(VDF-TrFE) on self-powered and wearable devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Based Microsystems)
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