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Hybrid Micro-Optical Sensors via Sol-Gel Soft Lithography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Mark A. Clarner
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, U.S.A.
Michael J. Lochhead
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Organically modified silica gels and dye-doped silica gels have been patterned into micrometer-scale structures on a substrate using micro molding in capillaries (MIMIC). This approach is from a class of elastomeric stamping and molding techniques collectively known as soft lithography. Soft lithography and sol-gel processing share attractive features in that they are relatively benign processes performed at ambient conditions, which makes both techniques compatible with a wide variety of organic molecules, molecular assemblies, and biomolecules. The combination of sol-gel and soft lithography, therefore, holds enormous promise as a tool for microfabrication of materials with optical, chemical, or biological functionality that are not readily patterned with conventional methods. This paper describes our investigation of micro-patterned organic-inorganic hybrid materials containing indicator dyes for microfluidic sensor applications. Reversible colorimetric pH sensing via entrapped reagents is demonstrated in a prototype microfluidic sensor element. Patterned structures range from one to tens of micrometers in cross-section and are up to centimeters in length. Fundamental chemical processing issues associated with mold filling, cracking and sensor stability are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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