High thermal efficiency glass microfluidic channels and method for forming the same

Abstract

A microfluidic device includes a formed sheet of glass or glass ceramic material formed to have one or more first micro channels on a first surface thereof and one or more second micro channels on a second surface opposite the first. The second channels are complementary to the first channels and the first channels are substantially closed by a first sheet of glass or glass ceramic material bonded to the first surface of the formed sheet. The second channels may be substantially closed by a second sheet of a glass or glass ceramic material bonded to the second surface. The first and second sheets may also be formed sheets. The device may be formed by vacuum-forming the formed sheet against a single surface mold, then bonding a plate to one or both sides of the formed sheet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Patent Application Serial No. EP04291114.9 filed on Apr. 30, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to microfluidic devices and methods for producing such devices, and particularly to high-thermal-efficiency glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic microchannel or microfludic devices and methods for producing such devices. [0004] 2. Technical Background [0005] Microchannel or microfluidic devices are generally understood as devices containing fluid passages having a characteristic dimension that generally lies in the range of 10 micrometers (μm) to 1000 μm in which fluids are directed and processed in various ways. Such devices have been recognized as holding great promise for enabling revolutionary changes in chemical and biological process technology, in particular because heat and mass tr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a device having microfluidic channels formed of thin glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic sheet material possessing good surface characteristics and good strength, and provides a process for reliably and efficiently producing such devices and channels. The thin-walled microchannels allow efficient heat exchange while offering superior chemical durability and heat resistance. The inventive forming process provides a simplified and reliable manufacturing process while providing a resulting device that maximizes thermal exchange.

Problems solved by technology

But glass and glass-ceramics are relatively poor conductors of heat, and thermal exchange is a key feature in most chemical synthesis.

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