AVS 53rd International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI1-TuM

Paper BI1-TuM2
Antifouling Surface Treatments for Microfluidic Applications

Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 8:20 am, Room 2001

Session: Microbe-Surface Interactions
Presenter: N.E. Chang, Palo Alto Research Center, Inc.
Authors: N.E. Chang, Palo Alto Research Center, Inc.
M.H. Lean, Palo Alto Research Center, Inc.
S.J. Limb, Palo Alto Research Center, Inc.
Correspondent: Click to Email
To remediate bioparticle losses from adhesion to microfluidic device surfaces, we have implemented polyethylene glycol (PEG)-type coatings by self-assembled monolayer and plasma-polymerizing deposition techniques. A variety of substrates representative of device materials in contact with bioparticle solutions were subjected to static microbial adhesion tests. We saw significant reduction in B. thuringiensis adhesion for both types of PEG coatings and reduction in B. globigii adhesion for the plasma-polymerized coating. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that both PEG-type coatings on MEMS traveling-wave arrays are effective at reducing adhesion to polystyrene beads as well as both Bacillus species. Results from both experiments have provided groundwork for in-situ experiments in flow environments for assessment of bioparticle recovery and adhesion to electrically conductive parallel flow plates. Spectrophotometry is used to gauge bioparticle concentration before and after circulation within the flow chamber. Open circuit voltage is monitored to investigate electrical behavior affected by bioparticle adhesion to the flow plates. Comparison of both measurements for parallel flow plates of different conductivities with and without our plasma-polymerized PEG coating will help corroborate and predict the degree to which bioparticle losses can be minimized.