This review explores significant advancements in polymer science and fabrication processes that have enhanced the performance and broadened the application scope of microfluidic devices. Microfluidics, essential in biotechnology, medicine, and chemical engineering, relies on precise fluid manipulation in micrometer-sized channels. Recent innovations in polymer materials, such as flexible, biocompatible, and structurally robust polymers, have been pivotal in developing advanced microfluidic systems. Techniques like replica molding, microcontact printing, solvent-assisted molding, injection molding, and 3D printing are examined, highlighting their advantages and recent developments. Additionally, the review discusses the diverse applications of polymer-based microfluidic devices in biomedical diagnostics, drug delivery, organ-on-chip models, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes. This paper also addresses future challenges, including enhancing chemical resistance, achieving multifunctionality, ensuring biocompatibility, and scaling up production. By overcoming these challenges, the potential for widespread adoption and impactful use of polymer-based microfluidic technologies can be realized.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/mi15091137 | DOI Listing |
Mater Horiz
January 2025
School of Materials Science and Engineering, National Institute for Advanced Materials, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
Recent advances in interfacial solar steam generation have made direct solar desalination a promising approach for providing cost-effective and environmentally friendly clean water solutions. However, developing highly effective, salt-resistant solar absorbers for long-term desalination at high efficiencies and evaporation rates remains a significant challenge. We present a Janus hydrogel-based absorber featuring a surface modified with thermo-responsive hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and a hydrogel matrix containing photothermal conversion units, MXene, specifically designed for long-term seawater desalination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States.
Polymeric membranes with great processability are attractive for the H/CO separation required for hydrogen production from renewable biomass with carbon capture for utilization and sequestration. However, it remains elusive to engineer polymer architectures to obtain desired sub-3.3 Å ultramicropores to efficiently sieve H from CO.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoft Matter
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
This study introduces a method for synthesizing electrically conductive hydrogels by incorporating a self-assembled, percolating graphene network. Our approach differs from previous approaches in two crucial aspects: using pristine graphene rather than graphene oxide and self-assembling the percolation network rather than creating random networks by blending. We use pristine graphene at an oil-water interface to stabilize a water-in-oil emulsion, successfully creating hydrogel foams with conductivities up to 15 mS m and tunable porosity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
Georgia Institute of Technology, School Of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 901 Atlantic Drive, 30332, United States, 30332, Atlanta, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The development of chemically recyclable polymers for sustainable 3D printing is crucial to reducing plastic waste and advancing towards a circular polymer economy. Here, we introduce a new class of polythioenones (PCTE) synthesized via Michael addition-elimination ring-opening polymerization (MAEROP) of cyclic thioenone (CTE) monomers. The designed monomers are straightforward to synthesize, scalable and highly modular, and the resulting polymers display mechanical performance superior to commodity polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
January 2025
MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Homogeneous mixtures undergo phase separation to generate rich heterogeneous structures as well as enable complex physiological activity and delicate design of artificial materials. Beyond free space, the strong coupling between migrating components and spatial confinement plays a crucial role in determining the essential spatial compartment of phase separation, warranting further continuous exploration. Herein, we report the selective phase separation (SPS) behavior of polymers under a mobile two-dimensional (2D) confinement by graphene oxide (GO) sheets.
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