Methods and materials for fabricating microfluidic devices
Inventors
DeSimone, Joseph M. • Rolland, Jason P. • Rothrock, Ginger M. Denison • Resnick, Paul
Assignees
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • Liquidia Technologies Inc
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Publication Number
US-8158728-B2
Publication Date
2012-04-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Materials and Methods are provided for fabricating microfluidic devices. The materials include low surface energy fluoropolymer compositions having multiple cure functional groups. The materials can include multiple photocurable and/or thermal-curable functional groups such that laminate devices can be fabricated. The materials also substantially do not swell in the presence of hydrocarbon solvents.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to polymer compositions comprising fluoropolymers bearing curable functional groups, including perfluoropolyether-based fluoropolymers. A first component includes a fluoropolymer having a first curable functional group, including a diurethane methacrylate functionalized perfluoropolyether, and a second component includes a polymer having a second curable functional group, wherein the polymer having the second curable functional group is also a fluoropolymer.
In described embodiments, the second fluoropolymer is selected from diisocyanate functionalized perfluoropolyether, diepoxy functionalized perfluoropolyether, and diamine functionalized perfluoropolyether. The perfluoropolyether components are characterized by integer parameters for n′ from 1 to 100 and n being one in the referenced diurethane methacrylate functionalized perfluoropolyether structure. The composition therefore combines different curable functional groups on perfluoropolyether-based fluoropolymers.
The document further places these fluoropolymer networks and related materials in functional contexts including low surface energy, solvent-resistant materials, dual-cure PFPE-based materials, and microfluidic devices. It also describes photopatterned PFPE-based microfluidic devices produced by UV curing of PFPE precursors containing latent functional groups, with sequential attachment of charged species and attachment of biomolecules using unreacted epoxy lining.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim, supported by multiple dependent claims. The independent claim covers a fluoropolymer-based polymer composition defined by a first and a second component with different curable functional groups, specifically diurethane methacrylate, and one of diisocyanate, diepoxy, or diamine functionalized perfluoropolyethers, with n′ from 1 to 100.
Fluoropolymer composition with dual curable functional perfluoropolyether components
A polymer composition including a first component with a fluoropolymer having a first curable functional group and a second component with a polymer having a second curable functional group; the first component includes a diurethane methacrylate functionalized perfluoropolyether, and the second component includes a fluoropolymer selected from diisocyanate functionalized perfluoropolyether, diepoxy functionalized perfluoropolyether, or diamine functionalized perfluoropolyether, with n′ from 1 to 100.
The claim set is directed to dual-component fluoropolymer compositions built from perfluoropolyether functionalized with curable groups, combining diurethane methacrylate functionalized perfluoropolyether as the first curable functional group with a second curable functional group chosen from diisocyanate, diepoxy, or diamine functionalized perfluoropolyether.
Stated Advantages
Improves wetting.
Improves flexibility.
Improves chemical resistance.
Improves gas permeability.
Enables solvent-vapor control.
Supports microfluidic use.
Improved adhesion.
Improved crosslinking.
Improved miscibility/immiscibility behavior of fluoropolymer + polymer.
Tunable material properties.
Improved mechanical toughness.
Moisture-insensitive handling.
Clarity versus cloudiness of the cured networks is discussed.
Reduced swelling in hydrocarbon solvents.
Enables multi-wavelength and sequential curing for layer lamination/adhesion.
Provides bonding to other polymers and surface passivation/end-capping approaches.
Documented Applications
Microfluidic use, including solvent-vapor control contexts.
PET radiochemistry contexts involving radiolabeled materials in the described application setting.
Device fabrication and bonding, including layered devices adhesion.
Device/operation integration for screening, separation, and dispensing using the described microfluidic structures and functionalization concepts.
Microfluidic devices.
Photopatterned PFPE-based microfluidic devices fabricated by UV curing to form channel masters and allow sequential attachment of charged species and attachment of biomolecules.
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