Multi-channel flow slide

Cut strips of double-sided tape or paraffin wax film

Cut narrow, even strips. Their width sets the wall between channels and their thickness sets the channel depth.

Lay the strips across the slide

Space them evenly over the imaging area, parallel and pressed down along their full length. The gaps between them become the channels.

Lower the coverslip on top

Set it across all five strips at once, square to them, and let it rest rather than pressing it down.

Warm to 50 °C

Bring the assembly to 50 °C to soften the adhesive so it wets both the slide and the coverslip.

Press the channels down

Work along each tape strip with a flat tool to bond it to the coverslip, without pressing over the open channels.

Let it cool

Back to room temperature, so the bond sets before anything is introduced.

Fill the channels

Pipette at one open end of each channel and let capillary action draw the liquid through.

Seal both ends

Mix the two-part silicone and run a bead across each open end to close the channels against evaporation.

Mount on the stage

Load the finished slide onto the stage, on the thermal pads and under both clamps.