Origami-enabled microfluidics

Abstract

Conventional polymer microfluidics manipulate flows for cell culture and analysis of biological specimens at low cost, but they do not accurately replicate the 3D microstructure and complex transport of living tissues. We present a new paradigm for rapidly creating microfluidics that embody the 3D microstructure and complex transport of natural tissues. In this origami-based approach, polyimide tape patterned to define flow pathways and crease locations is co-folded with nanoporous membranes in an interlocked architecture. The folding produces a multi-material, 3D microfluidic architecture with pressure-driven flow in continuous channels mimicking vasculature and diffusion across nanoporous membranes mimicking perfusion from the bloodstream into adjacent tissues. The simulated perfusion is experimentally characterized using a chemical marker. The results are consistent with Fick’s Law, indicating that the origami-enabled, multi-material architecture replicates biomimetic flow and diffusive transport.