Silicone Resin Composite Microfluidic Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices with fine flow paths face challenges in manufacturing productivity due to the need for processes like photolithography and dry etching with glass, and silicone materials are difficult to handle, prone to deformation, and have poor water affinity, leading to issues with flowability and adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A composite member comprising a silicone member with a flow-path-defining section and a resin substrate, where the silicone member is cured at 100° C. or less and bonded to the resin substrate, enhancing rigidity and handleability, and barrier layers are applied to improve flowability and prevent infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If glass is used as material for microfluidic device, then fine flow paths can be formed with good precision, but manufacturing process becomes complex and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to silicone, which allows fine flow paths to be formed through simple molding processes rather than complex photolithography and dry etching, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical processing methods (photolithography, dry etching) used for glass with a molding process for silicone, simplifying the manufacturing system and increasing productivity
2Ease of manufacture
If silicone is used as material for microfluidic device, then ease of processing and light transmission are improved, but handling difficulty increases due to softness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by bonding silicone to a resin substrate, combining the processing advantages of silicone with the structural stability of the resin substrate, thereby improving handling ease while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the device into two parts: a silicone member for flow path definition and a resin substrate for structural support, allowing each component to contribute its advantageous properties
3Reliability
If silicone is used as material for microfluidic device, then chemical resistance is improved, but adhesion to sample stage worsens due to stickiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the functional requirements by placing the silicone member (providing chemical resistance) on top of a resin substrate (providing non-stick properties), allowing the device to be easily aligned and removed from the sample stage while maintaining chemical resistance
4Ease of manufacture
If silicone member is made soft for flexibility, then ease of molding is improved, but shape stability worsens due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines soft silicone (easy to mold) with a rigid resin substrate (provides shape stability), creating a composite structure that maintains the molded shape without deformation during handling and use
5Ease of manufacture
If silicone member is used without surface treatment, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flowability worsens due to hydrophobicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrophilic surface treatment only to the flow path-defining sections of the silicone member, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving flowability where it is most needed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite member improves handling and analysis accuracy by maintaining shape integrity, reducing deformation, and enhancing flowability and adhesion properties, while allowing for easy removal and reduced dust adsorption.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid silicone material is placed on a surface of the resin substrate, and the liquid silicone material is cured at a temperature of 100° C. or less to obtain a laminated body in which a silicone cured product is bonded to the resin substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid device composite member includes: a silicone member that includes a body part which is made of silicone and which has a flow-path-defining section for defining a flow path on one surface of the body part, and that includes barrier layer having hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity disposed in at least a portion of the flow-path-defining section; and a resin substrate disposed on another surface of the body part opposite to the one surface. This method for manufacturing the fluid device composite member includes a layered body manufacturing step in which a liquid silicone material is placed on a surface of the resin substrate, and the liquid silicone material is cured at a temperature of 100° C. or less to obtain a layered body in which a silicone cured product is bonded to the resin substrate.