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Zhang Y

A

B

Figure 2. Three-dimensional (3D)-printed active microfluidic membrane valve. (A) The valve is open and closed configuration. (B) Fluidic
control with the valve. (i) Valve 1 (V , left) is open and valve 2 (V , right) is closed. Only blue liquid flows in the central channel. (ii) V1 is
2
1
closed and V2 is open. Only red liquid flows in the central channel. (iii) Both valves are open. A mixture of blue and red liquids flow in the
central channel. Reproduced from Ref. Au et al. with permission from Royal Chemical Society.
[20]
pressure. Vittayarukskul and Lee built a truly Lego-like couple of individual modules . Two ring magnets were
[43]
modular microfluidic platform with 3D-printed parts . embedded at the two ends of each modular block. The
[41]
The microfluidic modules were embedded in the Lego- magnetic force pulled two adjacent modules together
patented building block . In this design, the motherboard tightly enough to prevent fluid leakage. The center hole in
[42]
was fabricated by direct 3D-printing, whereas the the ring magnet provided access for fluids at the interface.
individual modules were fabricated by casting PDMS
against 3D-printed molds. A 3D microfluidic network was 2.2. 3D-Printed Microfluidics, Are We There Yet?
constructed by stacking the modules through the press- It seems 3D-printing technology has brought many
fit Lego interface. The PDMS acted as a rubber seal to innovations to microfluidics. Many complex microfluidic
prevent the leakage. Another reconfigurable microfluidic architectures and novel fabrication approaches have
system was reported by Po, which used magnets to only been made possible through the use of 3D-printing.

International Journal of Bioprinting (2019)–Volume 5, Issue 2 65