ibidi Micro Illumination System – Benchtop UV Platform for Microfabrication

Code 76000

Compact, turnkey benchtop UV illumination system for microfabrication directly in coverslip-bottom chambers such as ibidi µ-Slides and ibidi µ-Dishes. A highly collimated 365 nm LED transfers photomask patterns with 2 µm nominal resolution – for photopatterning, hydrogel microstructuring, microfluidics and photo-click chemistry in a standard wet lab, with no cleanroom required.

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Features

ibidi Micro Illumination System – microfabrication in your own lab

The ibidi Micro Illumination System is a compact, turnkey benchtop device for light-induced microfabrication. It transfers patterns from a standard 3" photomask onto photosensitive materials using a large, homogeneous field of highly collimated 365 nm UV light. Microstructures are created directly inside coverslip-bottom labware such as ibidi µ-Slides and µ-Dishes – in a regular wet lab, without a cleanroom or additional infrastructure.

The system gives researchers control over where and when cells attach, migrate and organise into tissue-like structures, making it a practical tool for building customised 2D and 3D in vitro models, microphysiological systems and organ-on-a-chip setups. Because one photomask can be reused, multiple samples with an identical design can be produced quickly and reproducibly.

Key features

Inverted UV illumination – high-power 365 nm LED with ≤ 3° divergence for sharp pattern transfer
Large homogeneous field – Ø 70 mm illumination area with ≤ 5% deviation from mean intensity
High resolution – 2 µm nominal resolution; recommended feature size above 10 µm
Adjustable dose – intensity from 20 to 100 mW/cm² and exposure time from 1 s to 59 min 59 s, set directly on the device
Designed for coverslip-bottom labware – dedicated holders for µ-Slides and µ-Dishes; also suitable for 3" wafers coated with photoresist
Wet lab compatible – no cleanroom, no external equipment needed
Integrated safety lid – UV exposure only with the lid closed
Ready to start – accepts standard 3" photomasks; a demo photomask is included
Optional accessories – downholders that minimise the air gap between sample and mask, and PTFE well inserts that reduce volume and meniscus

Simple workflow

Place the photomask in the mask holder with the structures facing the sample.
Position the µ-Slide, µ-Dish or wafer on the mask, using a holder and optional downholder for alignment and close contact.
Close the lid, set intensity and exposure time on the front panel and start the exposure.

Applications of the ibidi Micro Illumination System

Micropatterning

Photopatterning of surfaces to guide cell adhesion and migration
Light-induced wounding – creating defined cell-free areas in monolayers for wound healing and migration assays
Spatial and temporal control of photo-click chemistry

Microfluidics

Hydrogel-based microfluidics in channel slides – perfused channels, bifurcations and flow restrictions
Lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip models, e.g. perfused vascular models in the µ-Slide Tissue Engineering

Microstructuring

Photolithography and soft lithography with positive or negative photoresists
Photopolymerisation of hydrogels and bioinks such as GelMA, collagen, hyaluronic acid, PEG-DA and PEG-NB
Light-induced structuring of bulk materials or surfaces with 365 nm photoinitiators (e.g. LAP, Irgacure)
Customised 2D and 3D cell culture models, including spheroid formation