Flexible microfluidic devices for gas and liquid applications

We describe a simple, low-cost fabrication method and applications of three different flexible microfluidic device designs with three-dimensional (3D) interconnected microporous walls based on treatment using a solvent/non-solvent mixture at room temperature. Microfluidic devices were used to demonstrate gas generation and absorption reactions by acidifying water with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. By selectively treating the microporous structures with oxygen plasma, acidification of water by acetic acid (distilled white vinegar) perfusion was also demonstrated with the same device design.