1 Materials and methods for the microfabrication of microfluidic biomedical devices

The materials that have been employed for the construction of microfluidic devices have been diverse, ranging from traditional materials, such as silicon and glass, to newer polymeric materials. Similarly, the methods for microfabrication have included lithography, casting, injection molding and hot embossing, to name a few. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the various materials and methods that have been used in a diverse range of microfluidic applications. Details on the physical and chemical properties of the materials, as well as the performance characteristics of the microfabrication methods, are provided.