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Porous Microfluidic Devices – Fabrication and Applications
Author(s) -
de Jong J.,
Geerken M. J.,
Lammertink R. G. H.,
Wessling M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.200600364
Subject(s) - fabrication , microfluidics , nanotechnology , porosity , fluidics , materials science , contactor , porous medium , channel (broadcasting) , focus (optics) , engineering , electrical engineering , physics , medicine , power (physics) , alternative medicine , optics , pathology , quantum mechanics , composite material
The major part of microfluidic devices nowadays consists of a dense material that defines the fluidic structure. A generic fabrication method enabling the production of completely porous micro devices with user‐defined channel networks is developed. The channel walls can be used as a (selective) barrier for transport. In this conceptual article the focus is on the opportunities offered by this approach. Fabrication method and applicable materials are briefly discussed. Two applications of porous micro devices are shown: a micro gas‐liquid contactor and a porous channel emulsificator that can be used to make monodispersed droplets. For both devices a short comparison with alternative concepts is drawn. Finally, key areas for the presented technology are addressed.