Development of a microfluidic device and nanofiber membranes for emulating air-blood barrier in lung-on-a-chip devices

Here, we present the development of the first prototype of a microfluidic chip with two compartments and a nanofiber membrane for mimicking the air-blood barrier toward integration of the membrane into the device for use in lung-on-a-chip applications. A microfluidic device with two microchannels for air and cell culture media compartments was developed. Thin film and nanofiber membranes have been developed and fabricated for comparison with standard material reported for lung-on-a-chip devices. In this paper, we present preliminary results on the design of the microfluidic chip, the development of thin-film membranes, and electrospun nanofiber membranes. Nanofiber membranes made of polycaprolactone and microcrystalline cellulose (PCL: MCC) and other polymers were analysed and tested on cell growth, the absorbance of small molecules, and mechanical properties. An optimal nanofiber membrane has the potential of being integrated and tested in fluidic conditions to mimic the natural structure air-blood barrier present in the lung alveoli in vitro.