Question about writing on PDMS

Oct 26, 2004 2 Replies
C

Greetings,



This may seem like a silly question, but for our application we are using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for microcontact printing of cells. We are busily generating a large quantity of PDMS stamps with various patterns and we could like to keep them straight by marking them appropriately, so a user can readily tell what's on it.



Unfortunately, etching it with a razor is time-consuming and most markers don't seem to work very well. We have found that ultra-fine Sharpie marker works the best, but since we store the stamps flat (marked) side down in a petri dish, the ink gradually comes off onto the dish.



Does anyone know of a means to mark PDMS permanently?



TIA, -Mark


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P

Depending on the formulation of your stamps,a regular biro type pen may work (it does on some of our silicone compounds) Or you could get some silicone adhesive tape (companies like Tessa, Scapa or distributors in the tapes industry should be able to help you source something) which you could then easily write on the back of. Although these tapes aren't cheap...

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B

polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for microcontact printing of cells. We

and we could like to keep them straight by marking them

don't seem to work very well. We have found that ultra-fine

side down in a petri dish, the ink gradually comes off onto the

Stencil mask then laser marking, oxygen plasma may work if you have access to plasma etching equipment.

boer

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