OSTE Microfluidics: Fabrication and Applications

The development of new materials for microfluidic device fabrication is of high research interest. Due to its unique properties, off-stoichiometry thiol-ene (OSTE) polymer has gained increasing attention in this field. This review provides a detailed examination of OSTE, including its fundamental properties, microfabrication methods, and applications. At first, we introduce the formation of OSTE polymer and the principle of curing OSTE. Then the properties of OSTE including surface properties, mechanical properties, permeability to gas and small molecules, biocompatibility, and oxygen scavenging are discussed. After that, we provide an overview of common methods used for fabricating OSTE microfluidic devices, such as photolithography, reaction injection molding, replica molding, bonding and packing, and other novel fabrication technologies. Lastly, we review the applications of OSTE microfluidic devices in biosensing and tissue engineering and provide a brief outlook for future applications of OSTE microfluidic devices.