Channel and method of forming channels
A device is made by forming sacrificial fibers on a substrate mold. The fibers and mold are covered with a first material. The substrate mold is removed, and the covered fibers are then removed to form channels in the first material.
1. A method comprising:
forming a mold to define microfluidic structures;
electrospinning nanofibers on the mold to connect the microfluidic structures;
forming a resin on top of the mold and nanofibers such that at least a portion of selected nanofibers is encapsulated in the resin;
removing the mold;
removing the nanofibers from the resin; and
capping the resin such that nanofibers form a fluidic connection between the microfluidic structures.
2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising coating the mold with a non-stick material prior to electrospinning the nanofibers.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanofibers comprise polyethylene oxide.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the resin comprises polydimethylsiloxane.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the mold comprises a silicon substrate having patterned features to define two reservoirs separated by a gap.
6. A method comprising:
forming a mold to define microfluidic structures;
electrospinning nanofibers on the mold to connect the microfluidic structures;
forming a resin on top of the mold and nanofibers such that at least a portion of selected nanofibers is encapsulated in the resin; and
removing the nanofibers from the resin to form a fluidic connection between the microfluidic structures.