Sylgard Plates
-
1. Using the Sylgard 184 Silicone Elastomer Kit (Dow Corning), prepare a 10:1 mixture of elastomer base and curing agent by weight.
-
Elastomer base is very viscous, so we typically weigh this first and calculate the amount of curing agent required. For example, for 11 g of elastomer, 1.1 g of curing agent is needed.
-
-
2. Using a metal spatula, stir together the two components until the mixture appears homogenous (i.e., no swirls of unincorporated curing agent). Mix gently, as vigorous mixing will incorporate lots of air into the mix, making the plates less clear. If a vacuum chamber is available, a 30-min incubation in a vacuum chamber can drastically reduce excess bubbles.
-
3. Pour 5 mm of Sylgard into the base of each 35-mm × 10-mm Petri dish.
-
Twenty grams of elastomer makes about four plates.
-
-
4. Cure Sylgard for 2–3 d at room temperature, or for ∼30 min in a 65°C incubator.
-
Higher curing temperature will thin the mixture and allow more air to escape, resulting in Sylgard plates that are very clear. Plates are stable at room temperature; however, it is recommended to cover between uses, as the smooth surface can easily collect dust.
-
