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Microfluidic and nanotechnologies for chemistry, biology, and bioengineering

Chips & Tips: PDMS connectors for macro to microfluidic

interfacing
23 October 2006

Swomitra Mohanty, David J. Beebe

University of Wisconsin Department Biomedical Engineering
Glennys Mensing
University of Illinois Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
Why is this useful?
The purpose of this ChipTip is to show a simple method to connect the microfluidic world to the macro
world. Microfluidic devices are constructed from a variety of materials including glass, silicon, and
polymers.
No matter how microfluidic devices are constructed, one common
problem has been employing a user friendly method to connect standard
fluidic equipment such as syringes, to the microfluidic device. Often
researchers attempt to use commercially available micro-tube fittings by
gluing them to ports on a microfluidic device. These fittings are small in
size and difficult to work with and the glue can clog the port. To solve
this problem we employ an in house fabricated PDMS connector that
consists of a hole through the center and uses double-sided adhesive to
connect to the microfluidic device.
What do I need?
. PDMS SYLGARD 184 silicone elastomer base & curing agent (Dow Corning)
. 3" Petri dish
. One utility knife (McMaster Carr Supply Company No.:35575A71)
. Grace Bio-Labs Secure-Seal Adhesive (double sided) (SA-S-1L)
. Whatman 42 filter paper (9 cm Whatman No.:1442-09 )
The purpose of the filter paper is to help bond the PDMS to the double sided adhesive. However the
pores in the filter must be large enough for PDMS to penetrate. Pore sizes between 2 -8 µm are
appropriate
. One blunt 16 gauge reusable steel needle (Integrated Dispensing Solutions Part # 9991279-2)
The blunt needles are used to core through the PDMS. Care needs to be taken when coring otherwise
tears may occur in the hole causing the PDMS connector to leak. The inside of the blunt needle can
be sharpened using a round file. Simply insert the file into the tip of the needle and file the inner edge
till it is sharp. This will make a cleaner hole through the PDMS.
The size of the needle will depend on the tubing size you are using to connect to your device. Choose
a needle size that is slightly smaller than the tubing you are using. The PDMS will flex around the
tubing and provide a good seal.
What do I do?
1. Trace Petri dish on adhesive and cut out circle Typically 6 Petri dishes can be traced on a single
Grace-Biolabs sheet. The template provided can be used to help cut out circles.
2. Peel off the paper side of the adhesive and place the sticky side onto the filter paper. Apply pressure
over the entire area to remove any air bubbles (Figure 1).
3. Place the filter/adhesive into the lid of the Petri dish. Make sure the

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3. Place the filter/adhesive into the lid of the Petri dish. Make sure the
filter paper faces up and that the whole filter/adhesive assembly lies flat
against the dish. Do not worry if the edge of the filter/adhesive curls up
a little on the side. This will result in thinner PDMS connectors on that
side.
They will still be functional. Mix 25 g of
PDMS with 2.5 g (10%) hardening
agent and pour it into the dish (Figure
Figure 1 2). Place on a hot plate at 50 degrees
Celsius and cure for 4 h.
4. Remove the dish from the hot plate and let cool for 5 min. Using the
knife cut the PDMS around the edges of the dish to loosen it. Then pry
the PDMS from the dish (Figure 3).
Figure 2
5. Take the 16 gauge blunt needle and
place it on the surface of the PDMS. Turn the needle back and forth
while applying pressure to create a through-hole. Make several holes
in a row (Figure 4).
6. Take the knife and cut squares
around each of the holes. After cutting
out the row, each hole can then be
separated into individual connectors
Figure 3 (Figure 5).
7. Clean the surface of your microfluidic
device with some ethanol. (The surface
must be clean for good adhesion.) Peel
the adhesive off the bottom of the Figure 4
PDMS connector. This should remove
the PDMS core made with the blunt needle. If not, you may need to
remove it with fine tweezers.
8. Attach the connector to your microfluidic device. Insert tubing into
Figure 5 the connector and attach the other end to a fluidic source such as a
syringe (Figure 6).

Downloadable Files
Circle Template
PDF (417k)
PDMS Connectors figures
PDF (8641k) Figure 6

PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader

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© Royal Society of Chemistry 2010

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