International Business Machines Corporation
Localized surface modification for microfluidic applications

Abstract:

Techniques for localized surface modification for microfluidic applications are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: contacting at least one portion of a surface with at least one tri(m)ethoxysilane-containing solution under conditions sufficient to form at least one silane monolayer having a given contact angle on the surface thereby modifying a flow rate over the surface. The silane monolayer can include a silane derivative selected from: trimethoxysilyl-propoxypolyethyleneoxide (TMS-PPEO), hexadecyl-triethoxysilane (HD-TES), tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)triethoxysilane (TDF-THO-TES), and combinations thereof. A device modified in accordance with the present techniques is also provided.