A Roll-to-Roll (R2R) Manufacturing Facility for High-Throughput Fabrication of Paper Digital Microfluidic Devices

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We propose to develop portable microfluidic analysis tools for pre-term and post-term screening of mothers and neonates for infectious diseases (congenital rubella syndrome) and inborn disorders (fetal alcohol spectrum) in vulnerable populations in Viet Nam and Canada, respectively. These methods rely on "digital microfluidics" and the proposals leverage our recent innovation that allows for ultra-low-cost fabrication of digital microfluidic devices by inkjet printing on paper. We submit this off-cycle NSERC RTI application as part of a recently awarded 2015 E.W.R. Steacie Fellowship to assemble a custom Roll-to-Roll (R2R) manufacturing facility for high-throughput microfluidic device fabrication. The proposed work breaks into three categories: (i) analytical method development, (ii) manufacturing method development and characterization, and (iii) characterization of throughput, uniformity, and scale. For (i) we will refine the designated assays (for rubella infection surveillance and for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder screening) and implement them in the field (which requires access to thousands of validated devices). For (ii), we will assemble a slotted dye-roller deposition system to fabricate paper DMF devices, characterized by AFM, SEM, and contact angle measurements. For (iii), we will establish a rigorous quality control framework in which electrical characterization of each device is logged into bar-codes generated post-manufacture. This work will establish Canada as the international leader in high-throughput fabrication of paper digital microfluidic devices. The ultimate goal of portable, paper digital microfluidic tests for field-applications is an important one, which will contribute to improved health outcomes in Canada and around the world.