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Self-shrinking soft demoulding for complex high-aspect-ratio microchannels

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  • Dongliang Fan

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Xi Yuan

    (Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
    Center of Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute)

  • Wenyu Wu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Renjie Zhu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Xin Yang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Yuxuan Liao

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Yunteng Ma

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Chufan Xiao

    (Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
    Center of Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute)

  • Cheng Chen

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Changyue Liu

    (Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
    Center of Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute)

  • Hongqiang Wang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou))

  • Peiwu Qin

    (Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
    Center of Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute)

Abstract

Microchannels are the essential elements in animals, plants, and various artificial devices such as soft robotics, wearable sensors, and organs-on-a-chip. However, three-dimensional (3D) microchannels with complex geometry and a high aspect ratio remain challenging to generate by conventional methods such as soft lithography, template dissolution, and matrix swollen processes, although they are widespread in nature. Here, we propose a simple and solvent-free fabrication method capable of producing monolithic microchannels with complex 3D structures, long length, and small diameter. A soft template and a peeling-dominant template removal process are introduced to the demoulding process, which is referred to as soft demoulding here. In combination with thermal drawing technology, microchannels with a small diameter (10 µm), a high aspect ratio (6000, length-to-diameter), and intricate 3D geometries are generated. We demonstrate the vast applicability and significant impact of this technology in multiple scenarios, including soft robotics, wearable sensors, soft antennas, and artificial vessels.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongliang Fan & Xi Yuan & Wenyu Wu & Renjie Zhu & Xin Yang & Yuxuan Liao & Yunteng Ma & Chufan Xiao & Cheng Chen & Changyue Liu & Hongqiang Wang & Peiwu Qin, 2022. "Self-shrinking soft demoulding for complex high-aspect-ratio microchannels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32859-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32859-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeong-Yun Sun & Xuanhe Zhao & Widusha R. K. Illeperuma & Ovijit Chaudhuri & Kyu Hwan Oh & David J. Mooney & Joost J. Vlassak & Zhigang Suo, 2012. "Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels," Nature, Nature, vol. 489(7414), pages 133-136, September.
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    3. Ryan L. Truby & Jennifer A. Lewis, 2016. "Printing soft matter in three dimensions," Nature, Nature, vol. 540(7633), pages 371-378, December.
    4. Trevor J. Jones & Etienne Jambon-Puillet & Joel Marthelot & P.-T. Brun, 2021. "Bubble casting soft robotics," Nature, Nature, vol. 599(7884), pages 229-233, November.
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