Three-dimensional Printing of Thermoplastic Materials to Create Automated Syringe Pumps with Feedback Control for Microfluidic Applications

Overview

This article presents a protocol for constructing a pressure-controlled syringe pump for microfluidic applications. The pump is made from an additively manufactured body, off-the-shelf hardware, and open-source electronics, making it low-cost and easy to build.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

• Microfluidics
• Additive Manufacturing
• Open-source Electronics

Background

• Precision liquid handling is essential in various scientific fields.
• Low-cost instrumentation can facilitate research across disciplines.
• Additive manufacturing can be coupled with electronics for innovative solutions.
• This technique can save costs in laboratory settings.

Purpose of Study

• To develop a low-cost pressure-regulated syringe pump.
• To enable precision in liquid handling for microfluidic research.
• To demonstrate the integration of additive manufacturing and open-source technology.

Methods Used

• Designing the syringe pump using STL files.
• Preparing files for 3D printing.
• Utilizing off-the-shelf hardware components.
• Implementing open-source electronics for control.

Main Results

• The constructed syringe pump delivers well-regulated fluid flow.
• The system is straightforward to build and low-cost.
• It can be applied in various fields requiring precision liquid handling.
• The approach showcases effective use of modern manufacturing techniques.

Conclusions

• This method can significantly reduce costs in laboratory research.
• The integration of additive manufacturing and open-source electronics is beneficial.
• The syringe pump is a valuable tool for microfluidic applications.

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