The Woodruff School

SUMMARY

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based microfluidic devices contain micro-scale channels used for routing fluids in bio-chemical analysis. The existing methods for producing such microfluidic devices are highly labor intensive and require expensive materials and processes. An alternative approach is to use a machined metal mold for curing the PDMS layers, which are then assembled into a device. This thesis developed innovative methods for robotic de-bonding and peeling of cured PDMS layers from a machined aluminum mold.

SUBJECT:	M.S. Thesis Presentation

BY:	David Fender

TIME:	Monday, August 12, 2019, 3:00 p.m.

PLACE:	MARC Building, 201

TITLE:	Automated De-bonding and Peeling of Molded PDMS Layers for Microfluidic Device Production

COMMITTEE:	Dr. Shreyes Melkote, Co-Chair (ME) Dr. Stephen Balakirsky, Co-Chair (GTRI) Dr. Christopher Saldana (ME)

SUMMARY Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based microfluidic devices contain micro-scale channels used for routing fluids in bio-chemical analysis. The existing methods for producing such microfluidic devices are highly labor intensive and require expensive materials and processes. An alternative approach is to use a machined metal mold for curing the PDMS layers, which are then assembled into a device. This thesis developed innovative methods for robotic de-bonding and peeling of cured PDMS layers from a machined aluminum mold.