Artificial Cilia Production

Cilia are microscopic fibers existing in human lungs and esophagus’ that actuate to isolate particles we breathe in; this mechanism ensures that our respiratory system stays relatively clean. In this project, we intend to make a surface of artificial cilium for biomedical applications. Specifically, we are in the process of developing actuate-able cilia surfaces using low cost polymers as the luminal material for urinary catheters, which commonly get infected due to bacteria on the surface.

We have produced a protocol to fabricate the artificial cilia, which if implemented on the surface of the catheter will reduce infections. The artificial cilia are developed using cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) shaped within a master mold. This mold is fabricated using conventional photolithography and deep reactive ion etch methods. The resulting pattern on the PDMS surface has cylinders approximately 10 µm in diameter that mimic cilia. To experimentally test the fabricated surface, a voltage is applied to the PDMS which will in turn vibrate the artificial cilia. Once this has been done, we will grow bacteria on the cilia surface, mimicking the real world application. This project is in its beginning stages where most of the results are based on the fabrication of the master mold used to create the cilia surface.