NON-ABSORBING, CLEAR, FLEXIBLE, AND CASTABLE POLYURETHANE FOR FABRICATION OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has many desirable attributes for the development of microfluidic systems, including simple fabrication processes, biocompatibility, optical transparency and flexibility. However, the partitioning of small hydrophobic molecules into the bulk of PDMS is in part behind the slow industrial acceptance of PDMS microfluidic devices. Here we describe a castable polyurethane that is similar to PDMS in terms of optical transparency and flexibility but that does not absorb small hydrophobic molecules. In addition, polyurethane is compatible for cell culture, and device microfabrication can be achieved via replication molding and corona bonding.