Hands-on Teaching Module: Fabrication of Cost-Effective Microfluidic Chips

The proposed hands-on activity is about development of a teaching module for Microfluidics and Biotransport courses. Microfluidics techniques have a multi- and interdisciplinary nature (i.e., combined chemistry, physics, engineering, and biology), which offers exciting potentials for enhanced educational activities. It is also an ideal tool to enthuse and educate minorities and under-represented groups about the interdisciplinary aspects of modern technologies, including engineering, chemistry, and biomedical sciences. Exposing students to microfluidics will help prepare the next generation of engineers who will use this technology to solve challenges in healthcare, biology, and the environment. Interdisciplinary and inquiry-based teaching is important to prepare students for the world beyond the classroom, as the world is inherently interdisciplinary, which thus has the potential to provide an opportunity for authentic learning experiences. This hands-on activity introduces students to a simple fabrication approach, and it deals with the selection of materials, geometries, assembly strategy and other considerations. A simple method of creating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds will be made by cutting acrylic sheets using an academic laser ablation process. The preparation of molds is a key part of the module and then students will learn how to prepare PDMS devices. Some examples of the proposed concept are shown in Fig. 1.