Pneumatic pump chip by 3D printing technology

This paper presents a new method of microfluidic chip fabrication using 3D design and 3D printing techniques. The printed materials are flexible and inexpensive. The fabrication procedure is time-saving and less complex. The water leakage and hydrophilic test are performed to prove the advantages over traditional methods. The flow rates of the printed pump chip have been tested under varied applied pneumatic pressures and pumping frequencies. A maximal flow rate of 16.08 μL/min is achieved at the driving frequency of about 10 Hz at pressure of 30 psi. And a maximal flow rate of 38.60 μL/min is achieved at the driving frequency of about 10 Hz at pressure of 40 psi.