Surface acoustic wave (SAW) technologies, known for their high precision and rapid actuation, are essential to microfluidics and affect a broad spectrum of research areas. However, traditional fabrication methods are time-consuming, intricate, and necessitate costly cleanroom facilities.
One novel method overcomes these constraints by utilizing aerosol jet printing to create customized devices with various materials, such as silver nanowires and graphene, significantly reducing development time.
In a study published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering, researchers from Duke University and Virginia Tech have pioneered the integration of aerosol jet printing technology into the fabrication of SAW microfluidic devices. This advancement offers a faster, more versatile, and cleanroom-free approach to developing lab-on-a-chip applications, revolutionizing fields from biology to medicine.
In this groundbreaking research, the team utilized aerosol jet printing to fabricate SAW microfluidic devices. This method is a stark contrast to conventional, cumbersome cleanroom processes.
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