Molded microfluidic fluid cell for atomic force microscopy

A method of making a microfluidic cell, comprising the steps of:

• a. placing a gas permeable polymer into a mold that defines a void that is complimentary in shape to a compressible block including a first horizontal surface and an opposite second horizontal surface and a plurality of vertical surfaces therebetween, a gasket structure depending downwardly from the second horizontal surface, the gasket structure defining an open cavity therein, the compressible block defining a fluid inlet passage and a fluid outlet passage each in fluid communication with the cavity and opening to a selected one of the first horizontal surface and one of the plurality of vertical surfaces;
• b. removing the flexible polymer from the mold so as to define the compressible block;
• and
• c. inserting a cantilever into the compressible block, including a body portion and a beam extending laterally therefrom, so that the body portion is embedded in the compressible block and a portion of the beam extends into the cavity defined by the gasket structure.