Process integration of microtubes for fluidic applications

Three-dimensional InGaAs/GaAs microtubes are integrated by photolithography into a microfluidic device. The integration process, made possible due to advances in fabricating long, homogeneous rolled-up microtubes, is described in detail. Liquid filling and emptying of individual microtubes, and the final microfluidic device are investigated by video microscopy. The authors find an agreement for their channels with the Washburn equation [Phys. Rev. 17, 273 (1921)] for filling using a modified capillary pressure fit to experimental conditions. Emptying of a vacuum pumped microfluidic device also qualitatively agrees with theory. The results suggest rolled-up micro- and nanotubes as possible systems to provide fully integrative fluid analysis on a chip. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.