1
Low-Cost Microreactor Development By Ali Alhamadah, Alex Najdek, and Michael Ong Oregon State University School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering What is a microreactor? Masks Screenprinting A reactor with flow channel dimensions less than 1 millimeter, also called microchannels. Microchannels provide stability to reactions which are unstable at normal conditions, making many chemical processes cheaper and safer. Developing a low-cost fabrication procedure would provide students more learning opportunities with reactors. • Develop a process to manufacture low-cost microreactors. • Investigate different methods and materials for creating high- resolution microchannels. • Final cost of no more than $8.00 per reactor. • Create patterns using Diazo photo emulsion Instead of Yudu sheets. • Curing time of 6 min. • Technique is key! Slides bonded using calcium assisted technique. Calcium creates a bridge between the glass slides. Chemical Injection Site Microscope Slide Etched Micro Channel Mixing Junction Outlet Patter ns Screenprinter (Yudu) Squeegee References • Cong, H., Pan, T., Photopatternable Conductive PDMS Materials for Microfabrication, Advanced Functional and Materials • Varin et al. Exploration of low-cost implementation of reactive systems in microreactors. Oregon State University. 2009. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr. Alex Yokochi and Dr. Phil Harding for their guidance. We would also like to thank Nicholas Au Yeung, Alex Bistrika, Kevin Caple, Andy Brickman and Manfred Dittrich for their help. Drilling and Interconnects • Holes drilled using two drill bits - 1/16” tungsten carbide and 3/16” diamond tipped • Constant drip of water over slides during drilling to prevent shearing. • Epoxy luer locks into place. Microreactor Development Create patterns on transparenc y Drill interconnec ts in cover slip Screenprint gloss enamel paint Etch slide in NH 4 HF 2 Expose photo emulsion Epoxy luer lock interconnects Test reactor with conductivity probe Bond slides using calcium assisted technique Bonding Mask Stayed Adhered to submerged glass in etch bath Produced a clear screenprinted pattern Polyurethane paint Yes No Acrylic paint No Yes Outdoor latex paint No Yes Candle wax Yes No PDMS Yes No High gloss enamel pain Yes Yes Diazo photo emulsion No Yes Goals
