Developing a laser welding process for glass-to-metal materials — Fabrication of a cost-effective microfluidic device using metal-glass laser technology
Loading...
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
Unless otherwise stated, all rights belong to the author. You may download, display and print this publication for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Authors
Date
2023-10-10
Department
Major/Subject
Functional Materials for Global Challenges
Mcode
Degree programme
Master's Programme in Advanced Materials for Innovation and Sustainability
Language
en
Pages
50 + 2
Series
Abstract
Many applications of glass, such as microfluidic devices, require their assembly to other materials like metals. However, the conventional glass joining methods have limitations of low thermal and chemical stability and overall durability. Consequently, fabricating microfluidic devices from glass substrates using conventional methods is usually difficult, time-consuming and costly; the procedure involves several steps in fabrication, especially for low-quantity prototyping of microfluidic devices. In response to this shortcoming, this thesis focuses on developing a quick and robust laser processing procedure for glass-to-metal materials, particularly for the manufacture of a microfluidic device. The manufacturing process employed the use of a fs-laser for engraving a microfluidic network on the glass (including the reservoir and drilling the inlet and outlet holes) and then laser welding of the glass-to-metal interface. This method produced a functional microfluidic device in a short period of time. The characterization of the laser-engraved channel and inlet and outlet holes was carried out using 3D optical profilers based on white light interferometry. The results of the fluid flow test showed minor leakages and proved that the glass-metal welding is of good quality.Description
Supervisor
Karttunen, AnttiThesis advisor
Aldeiturriaga Pallares, DavidBahouka, Armel
Keywords
femtosecond lasers, glass, laser-matter interaction, fs-laser engraving, microfluidic devices, transparent material(s), glass-metal welding