Table 1.
Comparison of alternative fabrication methods for droplet microfluidic devices.
| Technique | Resolution | Cost/chip | Setup Cost | Transparency | Droplet size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photolithography51 | <1 µm | $2 | $20,000+ | Yes | ~1 µm |
| Low cost PDMS52 | 30 µm | $2 | $1500+ | Yes | ~50 µm |
| 3D printing53 | 200 µm | $2 | $3,000 | Partial | ~100 µm |
| Injection molding54 | 300 µm | $0.1 | $1,000 | Yes | ~100 µm |
| Paperfluidics55 | 50 µm | $0.01 | $400 | Partial | 50 µm |
| Pipette/tubing56 | n/a | $1 | $500 | No | 75 µm |
| Previous laser cut35 | 100 µm | $1 | $20,000 | Yes | n/a |
| K40 laser (this work) | 100 µm | $1 | $500 | Yes | 10 µm |