In this paper, a microfluidic co-culture system comprising an embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstencil was fabricated. The fabricated co-culture system has two micro-channels separated with a PDMS microstencil membrane. Master molds for microchannels and stencil membranes were fabricated by photolithography, then used for casting of PDMS devices. The stencil membrane was 10 thick, with holes 10-μm large in diameter. The fabricated system co-cultured two types of cells (HepG2, NIH-3T3 Cells) successfully for seven days. The viability and stability of the cells were verified through LIVE/DEAD® staining and analysis. Additionally, albumin secretion of HepG2 cells was measured for seven days, using an HSA ELISA kit. The measured data were analyzed, to compare the activity of HepG2 cells. Results confirmed that cells can be co-cultured in the fabricated microfluidic system.

In this study, we propose a fabrication method of three-dimensional complex shape polydimethylsiloxane microstencils. Three-dimensional complex shape polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstencils were fabricated by an air-knife system and PDMS casting form preparing master mold by photolithography, diffuser lithography and polyurethane acrylate (PUA) replication. PDMS microstencils shape was a production of the hemispherical and quadrangular pyramid. When the prepolymer of PDMS was spin-coated onto the three-dimensional complex shape master mold, a thin layer of prepolymer remained on top of the master"s structure and consequently prevented formation of perforated patterns. This residual layer was easily removed by the air-knife. The air-knife system was controlled by the flow rate of N2 gas and conveying speed of the master mold. Results revealed the fabricated three-dimensional complex shape PDMS microstencils, could be useful for application of three-dimensional cell culture device.