Surface Roughness Analysis of Microchannels Featuring Microfluidic Devices Fabricated by Three Different Materials and Methods

Abstract

In recent years, the utilization of microfluidic devices for precise manipulation of small flows has significantly increased. The effective management of microfluidics is closely associated with microchannel fabrication. The fabrication method employed for microfluidic devices directly impacts the roughness of the microchannels, consequently influencing the flows within them. In this study, the surface roughness of microchannels was investigated through three different fabrication processes: PDMS lithography, PLA printing, and UV resin printing. This research compared and analyzed the surface roughness of the microchannels fabricated using these methods. Furthermore, supported by a dynamic fluid simulator, the impact of surface roughness on flow behavior was shown. Results reveal varying degrees of roughness prominence in curved regions. Comparing microfluidic device fabrication techniques is crucial to optimize the process, control roughness, analyze flow rates, and select a proper material to be used in the development of microfluidic devices.