In this paper we present a simple and rapid method of modifying poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces with paraffin wax. PDMS that contains a layer of paraffin wax at its surface resists the absorption of hydrophobic molecules; we used fluorescence microscopy to confirm that paraffin-modified PDMS resists the absorption of rhodamine B. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microfluidic devices mad...

A new and simplified approach for making cathodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was developed by using metal mesh current collectors and inexpensive polymer/carbon diffusion layers (DLs). Rather than adding a current collector to a cathode material such as carbon cloth, we constructed the cathode around the metal mesh itself, thereby avoiding the need for the carbon cloth or other supporting ...

This paper introduces an instantaneous and robust strategy for bonding a variety of non-silicon substrates such as thermoplastics, metals, an alloy, and ceramics to poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) irreversibly, mediated by one-step chemical modification using a mercaptosilane at room temperature followed by corona treatment to realize heterogeneous assembly also at room temperature. The mercapto ...

Microfluidic devices have been used to study high-density cultures of many cell types. Because cell-to-cell signaling is local, however, there exists a need to develop culture systems that sustain small numbers of neurons and enable analyses of the microenvironments. Such cultures are hard to maintain in stable form, and it is difficult to prevent cell death when using primary mammalian neurons...

The aim of this study was to investigate the convergent validity of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales - 2 (PDMS-2). Thirty-one 4- and 5-year-old children (mean age 4 years 11 months, SD 6 months), all recruited from a clinical setting, took part in the study. Children were tested on the M-ABC and the PDMS-2 in a counterbalanced order...

Oil–water separation using special wettability materials has received much attention due to its low energy consumption and high efficiency. Herein, a fluorine-free superhydrophobic cotton fabric (PDMS/STA-coated fabric) was successfully prepared by simple impregnation method hydroxyl-capped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), stearic acid (STA) as precursors. The investiga...

This paper reports the high separation efficiency zone-electrophoresis of proteins in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip coated with the physically adsorbed phospholipid polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-3-(methacryloyloxy)propyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane (MPTSSi)) (PMMSi), using the simple and quick dip coating method. High suppression of protein adsorption ...

This communication describes a new procedure to increase the sensitivity of C(4)D in PDMS/glass microchips. The method consists in doping the insulating layer (PDMS) over the electrodes with nanoparticles of TiO(2), increasing thus its dielectric constant. The experimental protocol is simple, inexpensive, and fast.

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is commonly used for fabricating microand nanofluidic devices due to its low cost and ease of fabrication. The major disadvantage to using PDMS for these applications is its hydrophobic properties. The current methods that enhance the hydrophilicity of elastomers used for microand nanofluidic applications are intricate and cost-inefficient. This contribution demons...

In this study, an iron oxide magnetic microparticles and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (MMPs-PDMS) composite material was employed to demonstrate a simple high-strength reversible magnetic bonding method. This paper presents the casting of opaque-view (where optical inspection through the microchannels was impossible) and clear-view (where optical inspection through the microchannel was possible) MMPs...