Polymer microchannels with integrated interconnect and applications as cell research platforms

The goal for this thesis is to examine polymers for various microfluidic platforms. Towards this goal, we integrated previously developed microfluidic interconnect with new microchannel-containing components to demonstrate for the first time our chip-to-chip and world-to-chip connections integrated with microchannels in a polymer-based device. ANSYS simulations were performed to determine expected flow profile and pressure drop. SU-8 components with world-to-chip structures were experimentally pressurized without leakage to 252kPa, while a system composed of individual SU-8 and PDMS components assembled chip-to-chip was pressurized to 124kPa before leakage. Polymer microchannels were further investigated as potential cell research platforms for endothelial cells (ECs) and optical detection using surface plasmons. ECs were plated in SU-8 microchannels and degree of EC elongation was quantified, and new data obtained on EC shape in response to microchannel wall proximity. In addition, surface plasmon peaks were demonstrated using nanohole arrays fabricated on gold in an enclosed microchannel device.