Oct 14, 2024
Preparation of Sylgard® 184 PDMS
- 1Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Protocol Citation: Guillermo Pérez-Mateluna 2024. Preparation of Sylgard® 184 PDMS. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.dm6gpzk7plzp/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: September 24, 2024
Last Modified: October 14, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 108261
Keywords: PDMS
Abstract
This protocol outlines the main steps, materials, equipment, and safety methods for the preparation of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on silicon wafers (or similar). It is intended for all users, visitors, and service providers of the laboratories of the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering (IIBM).
Guidelines
Usar guantes de nitrilo
Antiparras protectoras para los ojos
Delantal de laboratorio
Materials
Materiales
SLYGARD 184Biosearch Technologies
Wafer with chip
Cup
Petri dish
Scalpel
Fork for mixing the mixture
#10 scalpel blade
Equipos
Drying oven
Vacuum generator located in Laboratory No. 2 ID EQ_184
Balance ID: EQ_179
Safety warnings
Todas los insumos que toquen PDMS, tales como, recipientes, agitadores y papeles deben ser eliminadas en el basurero rojo de sustancias peligrosas
Before start
El PDMS debe realizarse en el laboratorio 2 en la zona delimitada para trabajar con sustancias peligrosas
Place a weighing dish or plastic cup on the balance, press TARE, and prepare the required amount of Sylgard‱ 184 PDMS by pouring the necessary quantities of base and curing agent in a 10:1 ratio (for example, 5 g of base + 0.5 g of curing agent).
Mix both components thoroughly with a plastic fork until the compounds are fully homogenized (transparent).
After mixing the compounds, bubbles may form, so the PDMS should be degassed by placing it in a vacuum chamber located in Laboratory No. 2.
Place the container with PDMS inside a vacuum chamber, close the valve, turn on the vacuum pump, and allow it to degas until all the bubbles disappear.
Slowly open the vacuum chamber valve to let air in and release the negative pressure.
Pour the mixture onto the silicon wafer (or another container/mold) that will be used. Keep the silicon wafer inside its container and avoid spilling PDMS near the edge of the wafer. Ensure no PDMS remains stuck inside the container.
The wafer with the chip should never be handled directly, not even with gloves, as it can easily get dirty or scratched. Always handle it inside its case.
Place the wafer, still inside its case with the lid on, into the drying oven at 80 °C for 00:45:00 .
Ensure that the container is properly leveled to guarantee a uniform thickness of the PDMS.
45m
Allow the wafer and the PDMS to cool in a clean environment with the case lid on.
When the PDMS is cold (the next day), it should be carefully cut along the defined surface to avoid damaging or scratching the wafer. Using a scalpel with a #10 blade, gently lift the PDMS with tweezers to detach it from the wafer and the plate.
Now the PDMS can be mounted on a microscope slide, well plate, or Petri dish.