Development of Novel Hydrogel Alternatives to PDMS for Microfluidic Chip Platforms

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in microfluidic chip fabrication due to its biocompatibility and ease of processing. However, its limitations, such as hydrophobicity, necessitate exploring alternative materials. At Mustafaoğlu Lab, we are experts in hydrogel and microfluidic technologies, and we aim to combine these two fields to develop innovative solutions for next-generation microfluidic platforms. This PURE project will bring together undergraduate students to design, synthesize, and characterize hydrogel-based materials as potential alternatives to PDMS. Students will gain hands-on experience in key techniques, including hydrogel synthesis and functionalization, photopolymerization, rheological and mechanical property analysis, microfluidic chip fabrication, and cell-material interaction studies.