A Qualitative Experimental Proof of Principle of Self-Assembly in 3D Printed Microchannels towards Embedded Wiring in Biofuel Cells

Abstract

A range of biotech applications, e.g., microfluidic benthic biofuel cells, require devices with the simultaneous capabilities of embedded electrical wiring, aqueous fluidic access, 3D arrays, biocompatibility, and affordable upscalability. These are very challenging to satisfy simultaneously. As a potential solution, herein we present a qualitative experimental proof of principle of a novel self-assembly technique in 3D printed microfluidics towards embedded wiring combined with fluidic access. Our technique uses surface tension, viscous flow, microchannel geometries, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions to produce self-assembly of two immiscible fluids along the length of the same 3D printed microfluidic channel. The technique demonstrates a major step towards the affordable upscaling of microfluidic biofuel cells through 3D printing. The technique would be of high utility to any application that simultaneously requires distributed wiring and fluidic access inside 3D printed devices.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• additive manufacturing
• embedded
• wiring
• microchannel
• biofuel