Day 10

Elastomer PDMS 

Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS ((C2H6OSi)n) is a widespread elastomer. PDMS is a viscoelastic material with excellent transparency. One of the advantages is that chips can be produced directly in any lab. 

Liquid PDMS pre-polymer can be cured as at room temperature as at higher temperatures. The polymerisation time can be significantly shortened when the curing is conducted at higher temperature up to 150◦C. However, exposed to higher temperatures during curing, increased volume loss of the polymer has been observed.

The insert of our Perfusion Head PH-X is also made out of PDMS, so that it can be produced directly on site following the procedure in the video.