High-throughput acoustofluidic microchannels for single cell rotation

Abstract There is a growing desire for cell rotation in the field of biophysics, bioengineering and biomedicine. We herein present novel microfluidic channels for simultaneous high-throughput cell self-rotation using local circular streaming generated by ultrasonic wave excited bubble arrays. The bubble traps achieve high homogeneity of liquid-gas interface by setting capillary valves at the entrances of dead-end bubble trappers orthogonal to the main microchannel. In such a highly uniform bubble array, rotation at different fields of bubble-relevant vortices is considered equal and interconvertible. The device is compatible with cells of various size and retains manageable rotation velocity when actuated by signals of varying frequency and voltage. Experimental observations were confirmed consistent with theoretical estimation and numerical simulation. Comparing with the conventional approaches of cell rotation, our device has multiple merits such as high throughput, low cost and simple fabrication procedure, and high compatibility for lab-on-chip integration. Therefore, the platform holds a promise in cell observation, medicine development and biological detection.

Download Full-text

Design Methodology of Passive In-Line Relays for Molecular Communication in Flow-Induced Microfluidic Channel

Biosensors ◽

10.3390/bios11030065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 65

Author(s):

Puneet Manocha ◽

Gitanjali Chandwani

Keyword(s):

Communication System ◽

Communication Systems ◽

Microfluidic Channel ◽

Microfluidic Channels ◽

Molecular Communication ◽

External Energy ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

Molecular Communication Systems ◽

Macro Scale ◽

On Chip

Molecular communication is a bioinspired communication that enables macro-scale, micro-scale and nano-scale devices to communicate with each other. The molecular communication system is prone to severe signal attenuation, dispersion and delay, which leads to performance degradation as the distance between two communicating devices increases. To mitigate these challenges, relays are used to establish reliable communication in microfluidic channels. Relay assisted molecular communication systems can also enable interconnection among various entities of the lab-on-chip for sharing information. Various relaying schemes have been proposed for reliable molecular communication systems, most of which lack practical feasibility. Thus, it is essential to design and develop relays that can be practically incorporated into the microfluidic channel. This paper presents a novel design of passive in-line relay for molecular communication system that can be easily embedded in the microfluidic channel and operate without external energy. Results show that geometric modification in the microfluidic channel can act as a relay and restore the degraded signal up-to 28%.

Download Full-text

Silicon-Quartz Microcapillary Opto-Fluidic Platform Obtained by CMOS-Compatible Die to Wafer 200 mm Dual Bonding Process

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2131018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (13) ◽

pp. 1018

Author(s):

Giuseppe Fiorentino ◽

Ben Jones ◽

Sophie Roth ◽

Edith Grac ◽

Murali Jayapala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adhesive Bonding ◽

System Analysis ◽

Quartz Substrate ◽

Microfluidic System ◽

Bonding Process ◽

Microfluidic Channels ◽

Fully Integrated ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

Human Blood Cells ◽

On Chip

A composite, capillary-driven microfluidic system suitable for transmitted light microscopy of cells (e.g., red and white human blood cells) is fabricated and demonstrated. The microfluidic system consists of a microchannels network fabricated in a photo-patternable adhesive polymer on a quartz substrate, which, by means of adhesive bonding, is then connected to a silicon microfluidic die (for processing of the biological sample) and quartz die (to form the imaging chamber). The entire bonding process makes use of a very low temperature budget (200 °C). In this demonstrator, the silicon die consists of microfluidic channels with transition structures to allow conveyance of fluid utilizing capillary forces from the polymer channels to the silicon channels and back to the polymer channels. Compared to existing devices, this fully integrated platform combines on the same substrate silicon microfluidic capabilities with optical system analysis, representing a portable and versatile lab-on-chip device.

Download Full-text

On-Chip Fabrication of None-Dead-Volume Microtips for ESI-MS Applications

Solid State Phenomena ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/ssp.121-123.611 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 121-123 ◽

pp. 611-614

Author(s):

Che Hsin Lin ◽

Jen Taie Shiea ◽

Yen Lieng Lin

Keyword(s):

Surface Tension ◽

Low Cost ◽

Microfluidic Channel ◽

Dead Volume ◽

Esi Ms ◽

Rapid Fabrication ◽

Chip Fabrication ◽

Novel Method ◽

On Chip ◽

Highly Uniform

This paper proposes a novel method to on-chip fabricate a none-dead-volume microtip for ESI-MS applications. The microfluidic chip and ESI tip are fabricated in low-cost plastic based materials using a simple and rapid fabrication process. A constant-speed-pulling method is developed to fabricate the ESI tip by pulling mixed PMMA glue using a 30-μm stainless wire through the pre-formed microfluidic channel. The equilibrium of surface tension of PMMA glue will result in a sharp tip after curing. A highly uniform micro-tip can be formed directly at the outlet of the microfluidic channel with minimum dead-volume zone. Detection of caffeine, myoglobin, lysozyme and cytochrome C biosamples confirms the microchip device can be used for high resolution ESI-MS applications.

Download Full-text

Integration of lateral porous silicon membranes into planar microfluidics

Lab on a Chip ◽

10.1039/c4lc01094a ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 833-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Thierry Leïchlé ◽

David Bourrier

Keyword(s):

Porous Silicon ◽

Fabrication Process ◽

Microfluidic Channels ◽

Dead End ◽

Silicon Membranes ◽

On Chip ◽

Mesoporous Membranes

A unique fabrication process was developed to integrate lateral porous silicon membranes into planar microfluidic channels. These mesoporous membranes were demonstrated to be suitable for on-chip dead-end microfiltration.

Download Full-text

The Rise of the OM-LoC: Opto-Microfluidic Enabled Lab-on-Chip

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12121467 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1467

Author(s):

Harry Dawson ◽

Jinane Elias ◽

Pascal Etienne ◽

Sylvie Calas-Etienne

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Optical Components ◽

New Era ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Multiple Challenges ◽

On Chip ◽

Optical Circuits ◽

Made In

The integration of optical circuits with microfluidic lab-on-chip (LoC) devices has resulted in a new era of potential in terms of both sample manipulation and detection at the micro-scale. On-chip optical components increase both control and analytical capabilities while reducing reliance on expensive laboratory photonic equipment that has limited microfluidic development. Notably, in-situ LoC devices for bio-chemical applications such as diagnostics and environmental monitoring could provide great value as low-cost, portable and highly sensitive systems. Multiple challenges remain however due to the complexity involved with combining photonics with micro-fabricated systems. Here, we aim to highlight the progress that optical on-chip systems have made in recent years regarding the main LoC applications: (1) sample manipulation and (2) detection. At the same time, we aim to address the constraints that limit industrial scaling of this technology. Through evaluating various fabrication methods, material choices and novel approaches of optic and fluidic integration, we aim to illustrate how optic-enabled LoC approaches are providing new possibilities for both sample analysis and manipulation.

Download Full-text

Low cost optical particle detection for lab on chip systems based on DVD technology

10.1117/12.759283 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew L. Clow ◽

Rainer Künnemeyer ◽

Paul Gaynor ◽

John C. Sharpe

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Particle Detection ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

On Chip

Download Full-text

High-throughput fabrication and calibration of compact high-sensitivity plasmonic lab-on-chip for biosensing

Optofluidics Microfluidics and Nanofluidics ◽

10.1515/optof-2016-0002 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E. Gazzola ◽

A. Pozzato ◽

G. Ruffato ◽

E. Sovernigo ◽

A. Sonato

Keyword(s):

High Throughput ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Controlled Environment ◽

Biological Applications ◽

Environment Monitoring ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

Sensing Platforms ◽

Multiple Detection ◽

On Chip ◽

Biological Environment

AbstractSurface plasmon resonance biosensors have recently known a rapid diffusion in the biological field and a large variety of sensor configurations is currently available. Biological applications are increasingly demanding sensor miniaturization, multiple detection in parallel, temperature-controlled environment and high sensitivity. Indeed, versatile and tunable sensing platforms, together with an accurate biological environment monitoring, could improve the realization of custom biosensing devices applicable to different biological reactions. Here we propose a smart and high throughput fabrication protocol for the realization of a custommicrofluidic plasmonic biochip that could be easily tuned and modified to address different biological applications. The sensor chip here presented shows a high sensing capability, monitored by an accurate signal calibration in the presence of concentration and temperature variation.

Download Full-text

Point-of-Care Systems for Rapid DNA Quantification in Oncology

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/030089160809400214 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 216-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marco Bianchessi ◽

Sarah Burgarella ◽

Marco Cereda

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Semiconductor Industry ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Lab On Chip ◽

Diagnostic Assays ◽

Care Systems ◽

Point Of Care Systems ◽

The Common ◽

On Chip

The development of new powerful applications and the improvement in fabrication techniques are promising an explosive growth in lab-on-chip use in the upcoming future. As the demand reaches significant levels, the semiconductor industry may enter in the field, bringing its capability to produce complex devices in large volumes, high quality and low cost. The lab-on-chip concept, when applied to medicine, leads to the point-of-care concept, where simple, compact and cheap instruments allow diagnostic assays to be performed quickly by untrained personnel directly at the patient's side. In this paper, some practical and economical considerations are made to support the advantages of point-of-care testing. A series of promising technologies developed by STMicroelectronics on lab-on-chips is also presented, mature enough to enter in the common medical practice. The possible use of these techniques for cancer research, diagnosis and treatment are illustrated together with the benefits offered by their implementation in point-of-care testing.

Download Full-text