Process of Making Three-dimensional Microstructures using Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component

Summary

The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is used to fabricate microvascular structures. This procedure uses sacrificial poly(lactic) acid fibers to form hollow microchannels with precise 3D geometric positioning provided by laser micromachined guide plates.

Abstract

Vascular structures in natural systems are able to provide high mass transport through high surface areas and optimized structure. Few synthetic material fabrication techniques are able to mimic the complexity of these structures while maintaining scalability. The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is able to do so. This process uses sacrificial fibers as a template to form hollow, cylindrical microchannels embedded within a matrix. Tin (II) oxalate (SnOx) is embedded within poly(lactic) acid (PLA) fibers which facilitates the use of this process. The SnOx catalyzes the depolymerization of the PLA fibers at lower temperatures. The lactic acid monomers are gaseous at these temperatures and can be removed from the embedded matrix at temperatures that do not damage the matrix. Here we show a method for aligning these fibers using micromachined plates and a tensioning device to create complex patterns of three-dimensionally arrayed microchannels. The process allows the exploration of virtually any arrangement of fiber topologies and structures.

Introduction

Natural systems use extensive vascular networks to facilitate many biological functions. Mass transport can be achieved efficiently in such systems due to high surface area to volume ratios and optimized packing structures. While many synthetic fabrication techniques can produce microvascular structures, none can produce large-scale microvasculature while maintaining complexity and compatibility with existing manufacturing methods^1-5. Structures such as the avian lung provide an inspiration. How do we fabricate structures of this complexity for enhancing mass transport?

The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) can produ....

Protocol

1. Catalyzing Sacrificial Fibers

1. Wrap the desired amount of poly(lactic) acid fibers around the lower ¾ of customized spindle. Reduce fiber overlap to provide the maximum surface area exposure.
2. Mix deionized H₂O with 40 ml of Disperbyk 130 in a closed bottle and shake until a homogenous solution is obtained. Then place a 1,000 ml beaker in a water bath at 37 °C and pour trifluoroethanol into the beaker. The amount of H₂O and TFE to use depends on the PLA fiber diameter used. ....

   Fiber Diameter

   Amount of H2O (ml)

Results

This procedure provides a method of fabricating microvascular structures embedded within a resin. These structures can conform to a variety of patterns (Figure 2). The structure of the microvascular network is only limited by the structures that can be formed with the sacrificial fibers.

Using a parallel arrangement of microvascular channels, gas transport between fluid streams is facilitated as gases traverse a permeable inter-channel membrane. These devices can be fabricated.......

Discussion

The introduction of the SnOx catalyst into the PLA fibers allows the fibers to depolymerize at a lower temperature. This prevents the degradation of the embedding resin, in this case PDMS. A custom spindle is required to properly mix the treatment solution (Figure 5A). The spindle is composed of six supporting rods surrounding a central core which attaches to a digital mixer. The fibers are wrapped around the support rods so that the surface area of the wrapping fibers in contact with the catalytic solut.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Reagent
Tin (II) oxalate	Sigma-Aldrich	402761
Disperbyk 130	BYK Additives Instruments
Trifluoroethanol	Halocarbon
Malachite Green (technical grade)	Sigma-Aldrich	M6880
Sodium hydroxide (≥98%, pellets)	Sigma-Aldrich	S5881
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)	Dow Corning	3097358-1004	Distributed from Ellsworth Adhesives
Poly(lactic) acid fibers	Teijin Monofilament
Material
RW 20 Digital Mixer	IKA	3593001
Desiccator Jar	Pyrex
Vacuum Oven	Fisher Scientific
Third Hand	Jameco Electronics	26690	Plate holder
Glue Gun	Stanley	GR20L
PLA Spindle			Custom made
Tensioning Board			Custom made