Isiksacan, Z.Guler, M. T.Aydogdu, B.Bilican, I.Elbuken, C.2018-04-122018-04-1220160960-1317http://hdl.handle.net/11693/36579The conventional fabrication methods for microfluidic devices require cleanroom processes that are costly and time-consuming. We present a novel, facile, and low-cost method for rapid fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds and devices. The method consists of three main fabrication steps: female mold (FM), male mold (MM), and chip fabrication. We use a CO2 laser cutter to pattern a thin, spin-coated PDMS layer for FM fabrication. We then obtain reusable PDMS MM from the FM using PDMS/PDMS casting. Finally, a second casting step is used to replicate PDMS devices from the MM. Demolding of one PDMS layer from another is carried out without any potentially hazardous chemical surface treatment. We have successfully demonstrated that this novel method allows fabrication of microfluidic molds and devices with precise dimensions (thickness, width, length) using a single material, PDMS, which is very common across microfluidic laboratories. The whole process, from idea to device testing, can be completed in 1.5 h in a standard laboratory.EnglishLaser ablationMicrodroplet generationMicrofabricationMicrofluidicsRapid prototypingAblationCarbon dioxideFabricationLaser ablationMicrochannelsMicrofabricationMicrofluidicsMoldsPolydimethylsiloxaneRapid prototypingSurface treatmentChip fabricationFabrication methodHazardous chemicalsLow cost methodsMicro dropletsMicro-fluidic devicesPolydimethylsiloxane PDMSRapid fabricationSiliconesArticle10.1088/0960-1317/26/3/035008