Laser treated glass platform with rapid wicking-driven transport and particle separation capabilities

Wicking and particle separation are two required capabilities for many microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices, but they often require multiple materials and structures (e.g., paper, polymer filters) which are difficult to integrate with established microfabrication techniques and materials. In this work, we combine both properties into a single glass platform with a straightforward and economical fabrication process. By laser machining soda lime glass with a specific power and laser speed, we create channels defined by an array of micro cracks (3-4 μm) which provide particle separation properties and simultaneously enable rapid liquid transport (up to 24.2 mm/s) as a result of capillary forces from the crevices and laser-induced surface hydrophilization.