UV-nanoimprint lithography as a tool to develop flexible microfluidic devices for electrochemical detection

Research in microfluidic biosensors has led to dramatic improvements in sensitivities. Very few examples of these devices have been commercially successful, keeping this methodology out of the hands of potential users. In this study, we developed a method to fabricate a flexible microfluidic device containing electrowetting valves and electrochemical transduction. The device was designed to be amenable to a roll-to-roll manufacturing system, allowing a low manufacturing cost. Microchannels with high fidelity were structured on a PET film using UV-NanoImprint Lithography (UV-NIL). The electrodes were inkjet-printed and photonically sintered on second flexible PET film. The film containing electrodes was bonded directly to the channel-containing layer to form sealed fluidic device. Actuation of the multivalve system with food dye in PBS buffer was performed to demonstrate automated fluid delivery. The device was then used to detect Salmonella in a liquid sample.