Double casting prototyping with a thermal aging step for fabrication of 3D microstructures in poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Abstract

The paper describes a cheap and accessible technique of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) master treatment by thermal aging as a step of double casting microfabrication process. Three-dimensional PDMS microstructures could have been achieved using this technique. It was proved, that thermal aging changes nanotopology of a PDMS surface and thus enhances efficiency of double casting prototyping. The thermally aged PDMS master could have been used for multiple and correct replication of over 98% of the fabricated microstructures. Moreover, lack of chemical modification preserved the biocompatibility of PDMS devices. The fabricated microstructures were successfully utilized for 3D cell culture.

Keywords

• PDMS; microfabrication; 3D microstructures; biocompatible materials; double casting; thermal aging