Bio-functionalized ultra-thin, large-area and waterproof silicone membranes for biomechanical cellular loading and compliance experiments

  • Biocompatibility, flexibility and durability make polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes top candidates in biomedical applications. CellDrum technology uses large area, <10 µm thin membranes as mechanical stress sensors of thin cell layers. For this to be successful, the properties (thickness, temperature, dust, wrinkles, etc.) must be precisely controlled. The following parameters of membrane fabrication by means of the Floating-on-Water (FoW) method were investigated: (1) PDMS volume, (2) ambient temperature, (3) membrane deflection and (4) membrane mechanical compliance. Significant differences were found between all PDMS volumes and thicknesses tested (p < 0.01). They also differed from the calculated values. At room temperatures between 22 and 26 °C, significant differences in average thickness values were found, as well as a continuous decrease in thicknesses within a 4 °C temperature elevation. No correlation was found between the membrane thickness groups (between 3–4 µm) in terms of deflection and compliance. We successfully present a fabrication method for thin bio-functionalized membranes in conjunction with a four-step quality management system. The results highlight the importance of tight regulation of production parameters through quality control. The use of membranes described here could also become the basis for material testing on thin, viscous layers such as polymers, dyes and adhesives, which goes far beyond biological applications.

Export metadata

Additional Services

Share in X Search Google Scholar
Metadaten
Author:Karya Uysal, Till Creutz, Ipek Seda Firat, Gerhard ArtmannORCiD, Nicole Teusch, Aysegül Temiz ArtmannORCiD
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112213
ISSN:2073-4360
Parent Title (English):Polymers
Publisher:MDPI
Place of publication:Basel
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Year of Completion:2022
Volume:14
Issue:11
First Page:2213
Link:https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112213
Zugriffsart:weltweit
Institutes:FH Aachen / Fachbereich Medizintechnik und Technomathematik
FH Aachen / IfB - Institut für Bioengineering
collections:Verlag / MDPI