Polymer laminate technology

Polymer laminate technology is a rapid prototyping technique using standard film lamination for the fabrication of microfluidic devices. Polymeric materials (eg, PMMA, PET, PS, polypropylene and copolymers such as Zeonor) in thin sheets or... 

Levine, L., 2009. Developing diagnostic products polymer laminate technology. MDDI Online. Available http //www.mddionline.com/article/developing-diagnostic-products-polymer-laminate-technology. 

In addition, advanced polymer processing technology also provided for structural materials such as sheets and films, tubing, laminates, and other composite materials. Table I gives a general overview of the types of application for the various polymer systems. 

For patient monitoring as well as for extracellular microphysiometry low volume fluid handling systems with integrated microbiosensor arrays have to be developed (Trajanoski et al. 1996). A very versatile and reliable technology is the use of polymer laminate film. The laminate is based on a PCB material and provides mixed fluidic-electric platform for the assembly of a biosensor array and microfluidic channels. Subsequent lamination of dry film resist layers over previously patterned layers allows the creation of closed channels without the use of any sacrificial layer (Fig. 3). 

Wilhelm, W. G., "The Use of Polymer Films and Laminate Technology for Low Cost Solar Energy Collectors," submitted to the Am. Chem. Soc. Polymers In Solar Energy Symposium, Las Vegas, NV, March 28- April 2, 1982. 

Polymer Film and Laminate Technology for Low-Cost Solar Energy Collectors... 

Another interesting approach in glass-polymer bonding technologies is the direct bonding of photolithographically structured soft SU-8 microchannels to glass or thermoplastic materials without another laminate SU-8 or PMMA layer. 

L.B. Kilham, Proceedings of Polymers, Lamination and Coatings Conference, Book 2, TAPPI, Technology Park, Atlanta, GA, USA, 1986, 355. 

Acid-curing resoles can be processed by hand-lamination, spray-up lamination, winding, and by infusion-technology, as well as by processes familiar from fiber-composite polymer (FCP) technology. Acid-resistant machine components and molds have to be used, and the shorter open times compared to polyester resins have to be taken into consideration. Compression processing, which is suitable for novolacs and resoles, requires ventilation strokes — as in most processing methods with closed molds - to let the developing water vapor escape. 

One particular version of the lithium-ion gel polymer cells, also known as plastic lithium-ion cell (PLION). was developed by Bellcore (now Telcordia Technologies).In this case. Gozdz et al. developed a microporous plasticized PVdF—HFP based polymer electrolyte which served both as separator and electrolyte. In PLION cells, the anode and cathode are laminated onto either side of the gellable membrane. Good adhesion between the electrodes and the membranes is possible because all three sheets contain significant amounts of a PVdF copolymer that can be melted and bonded during the lamination step. 

The microstructure was realized by a dry-film photoresist technique and based on established techniques from printed circuit board technology [142], Dry resists are available as thin films, e.g. of thickness 50 or 100 pm. The resist films are encased in other polymer materials which are later removed. The resist films can be deposited on various base materials such as silicon or polymers giving mechanical stability. Lamination is carried out with a roller laminator. Then, exposure is made and spray development without any solvents follows. The process steps can be repeated at multi-laminated structures. Closed structures can be made in this way. 

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