Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ziwei Liu, Xiyang Liu, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: This study investigated the application of Y step emulsification technology in microfluidic devices, focusing on the influences of microdevice structures and fluid physical properties on droplet generation. Important factors affecting emulsion flux were identified, and a prediction equation for droplet size was proposed based on inertial and viscous forces of the dispersed phase.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Futianchun Zhu, Yu He, Zefan Lu, Hongliang Fan, Tao Zhang
Summary: This paper introduces a novel concept of composite elastomers to provide flexible support for photocured thin films, allowing most photocurable resins to be used in microfluidic device fabrication. The rapid and simple fabrication process is expected to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial practice, greatly enriching material choices for diverse applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sajad Yazdanparast, Pouya Rezai, Alidad Amirfazli
Summary: A co-flow microfluidic droplet-generation device with flexible walls was developed, allowing for the adjustment of continuous phase channel width to control droplet sizes. Two different droplet-generation regimes were observed at low dispersed phase Weber numbers. Reducing the channel width produced smaller droplets and a wider range of droplet sizes compared to current technology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ki Hyun Nam
Summary: Serial crystallography allows the visualization of dynamic processes in macromolecular structures at room temperature, and beef tallow is introduced as a stable and controllable sample delivery medium in SX experiments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Keshvad Shahrivar, Francesco Del Giudice
Summary: The use of viscoelastic solutions of xanthan gum in microfluidic devices enables controlled single particle encapsulation, with efficiency up to 2-fold higher than predicted by Poisson statistics. By identifying specific xanthan gum concentrations, researchers discovered that single encapsulation efficiency was increased. An empirical formula was introduced to aid in the design of controlled viscoelastic encapsulation systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Zhan, Ziwei Liu, Shaokun Jiang, Chunying Zhu, Youguang Ma, Taotao Fu
Summary: In this study, the generation processes of bubbles and droplets in a step-emulsification microfluidic device are compared to show the similarities and differences in the emulsification process. By changing the placement of the microdevice, the effects of buoyancy and gravity on the generation of bubbles and droplets are introduced, and the feedback mechanism of the bubble layer and the effect of droplet accumulation on the emulsification process are clarified.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. Mehrabi, R. Buecker, G. Bourenkov, H. M. Ginn, D. von Stetten, H. M. Mueller-Werkmeister, A. Kuo, T. Morizumi, B. T. Eger, W-L Ou, S. Oghbaey, A. Sarracini, J. E. Besaw, O. Pare-Labrosse, S. Meier, H. Schikora, F. Tellkamp, A. Marx, D. A. Sherrell, D. Axford, R. L. Owen, O. P. Ernst, E. F. Pai, E. C. Schulz, R. J. D. Miller
Summary: This study systematically compared crystallographic diffraction data collected by SFX and SSX methods for myoglobin and fluoroacetate dehalogenase, finding that approximately 5000 room-temperature diffraction images are sufficient for reasonable data statistics regardless of the radiation source. The data suggest that the quality of diffraction data obtained from these samples is more related to the properties of the crystals rather than the radiation source.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Junyi Chen, Shaoqi Huang, Yan Long, Kan Wang, Yangtai Guan, Lianping Hou, Bo Dai, Songlin Zhuang, Dawei Zhang
Summary: Droplet-based microfluidics has great potential in various applications, and this paper introduces a modular microfluidic system using 3D printing technology for droplet generation. The system allows flexible control of droplet size and generation rate by adjusting flow rates. It is a promising candidate for chemical and biological applications.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Weijia Cui, Gurkan Yesiloz, Carolyn L. Ren
Summary: The method uses integrated microwave heating to induce droplet generation, with the distance between interface and junction and microwave power affecting the process. Despite limitations in droplet generation rate, integration with microwave sensing allows for dynamic tuning of material properties.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ali M. Ibrahim, Jose I. Padovani, Roger T. Howe, Yasser H. Anis
Summary: This paper examines the parameters affecting droplet generation in a microfluidic system, develops a three-dimensional numerical model for simulation, and investigates the impact of different flow rates on droplet size.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hyeonyeong Ji, Jaehun Lee, Jaewon Park, Jungwoo Kim, Hyun Soo Kim, Younghak Cho
Summary: In this study, a microfluidic device with a high-aspect-ratio (HAR) channel was developed for generating monodisperse droplets. The device was fabricated using simple and cheap MEMS processes and successfully obtained smaller monodisperse droplets for a wider range of flow rates compared to previous methods.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Weihao Li, Wuyang Zhuge, Youwei Jiang, Kyle Jiang, Jun Ding, Xing Cheng
Summary: This research introduces an innovative hybrid pumping system that integrates a wirelessly controlled micropump with a 3D-printed modular microfluidic low-pass-filter, offering a portable and stable flow source for microfluidic applications. The experimental results demonstrate highly stabilized flow rate and comparable versatility to bulky commercial pumping systems.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangke Li, Shi-Yang Tang, Yang Zhang, Jiayuan Zhu, Helen Forgham, Chun-Xia Zhao, Cheng Zhang, Thomas P. Davis, Ruirui Qiao
Summary: Droplet-based microfluidics is a significant technology that can be improved by using fluoropolymer-based surfactants to enhance stability and biocompatibility.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiangkai Meng, Yuanhua Yu, Guangyong Jin
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism of droplet formation in microfluidic technology for ddPCR, evaluating factors like flow rate, surface tension, and viscosity. The simulation accuracy was validated by comparing with real experiments, showing less than 3.5% relative error and less than 1% coefficient of variation for droplet size, indicating high stability and reliability of experimental droplet generation. This research provides fundamental insights and a reliable investigation method for the design and experiment of droplet generation in microfluidic technology and ddPCR field.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wei Yu, Bo Li, Xiangdong Liu, Yongping Chen
Summary: A numerical research investigated the generation of triple emulsion droplets in a three-dimensional axisymmetric flow-focusing device. The study identified three flow regimes: dripping, jetting, and threading. The effects of operation conditions, such as flow rate and interfacial tension, on droplet generation were clarified, with viscosity also playing a significant role.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diandra Doppler, Mohammad T. Rabbani, Romain Letrun, Jorvani Cruz Villarreal, Dai Hyun Kim, Sahir Gandhi, Ana Egatz-Gomez, Mukul Sonker, Joe Chen, Faisal H. M. Koua, Jayhow Yang, Mohamed Youssef, Victoria Mazalova, Sasa Bajt, Megan L. Shelby, Matt A. Coleman, Max O. Wiedorn, Juraj Knoska, Silvan Schon, Tokushi Sato, Mark S. Hunter, Ahmad Hosseinizadeh, Christopher Kuptiz, Reza Nazari, Roberto C. Alvarez, Konstantinos Karpos, Sahba Zaare, Zachary Dobson, Erin Discianno, Shangji Zhang, James D. Zook, Johan Bielecki, Raphael de Wijn, Adam R. Round, Patrik Vagovic, Marco Kloos, Mohammad Vakili, Gihan K. Ketawala, Natasha E. Stander, Tien L. Olson, Katherine Morin, Jyotirmory Mondal, Jonathan Nguyen, Jose Domingo Meza-Aguilar, Gerdenis Kodis, Sara Vaiana, Jose M. Martin-Garcia, Valerio Mariani, Peter Schwander, Marius Schmidt, Marc Messerschmidt, Abbas Ourmazd, Nadia Zatsepin, Uwe Weierstall, Barry D. Bruce, Adrian P. Mancuso, Thomas Grant, Anton Barty, Henry N. Chapman, Matthias Frank, Raimund Fromme, John C. H. Spence, Sabine Botha, Petra Fromme, Richard A. Kirian, Alexandra Ros
Summary: This study proposes a new method to address the issue of crystal introduction in the X-ray beam. By using an inert oil phase to supplement the flow of the sample, stable injection of crystals from two different materials can be achieved, avoiding crystal clogging and potentially increasing the preservation rate of crystal samples, enabling degradation-free light-induced time-resolved SFX.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jorvani Cruz Villarreal, Rory Kruithoff, Ana Egatz-Gomez, Paul D. Coleman, Robert Ros, Todd R. Sandrin, Alexandra Ros
Summary: Understanding cell-to-cell variation at the molecular level is critical for research and this study presents a microfluidic platform combined with MALDI-TOF-MS for the detection and quantification of targeted proteins from small cell ensembles. The integrated on-chip approach allows for protein quantification from cell lysate and demonstrates promising potential for single-cell analysis.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
J. E. Coleman, J. E. Koglin, H. E. Morris, N. B. Ramey, D. T. Offermann
Summary: A spatially resolved air-wedge shearing interferometer and shadowgraph diagnostic is used to measure electron density with a resolution of 40 μm. By heating 100 μm-thick aluminum foils with a monoenergetic electron bunch, electron densities up to 10(20) cm(-3) are resolved. The diagnostic also provides measurements of total phase shift, transmission, and electron density. Comparisons with radiation hydrodynamics simulations show rough quantitative agreement.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Salah Awel, Sebastian Lavin-Varela, Nils Roth, Daniel A. Horke, Andrei Rode, Richard A. Kirian, Jochen Kuepper, Henry N. Chapman
Summary: This study explores the concept of using photophoretic forces to deliver bioparticles to the focus of an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) for femtosecond x-ray diffractive imaging. The experimental demonstration shows that high-speed aerosolized viruses can be transversely compressed via photophoretic forces in a low-pressure gas environment. Particle-velocimetry measurements estimate the relative temperature gradients induced on the viruses by the laser. The results demonstrate the potential of an optical funnel to enhance particle-delivery efficiency in XFEL imaging and spectroscopy.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
B. R. Mobley, K. E. Schmidt, J. P. J. Chen, R. A. Kirian
Summary: This paper describes the modification of the EMC algorithm to use Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling for merging diffraction patterns with multiple missing parameters. Through comparison with the standard EMC algorithm, the effectiveness of this modification is demonstrated.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA A-FOUNDATION AND ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Daniel J. Wells, Peter Berntsen, Eugeniu Balaur, Cameron M. Kewish, Patrick Adams, Andrew Aquila, Jack Binns, Sebastien Boutet, Hayden Broomhall, Carl Caleman, Andrew Christofferson, Charlotte E. Conn, Caroline Dahlqvist, Leonie Flueckiger, Francisco Gian Roque, Tamar L. Greaves, Majid Hejazian, Mark Hunter, Marjan Hadian Jazi, H. Olof Jonsson, Sachini Kadaoluwa Pathirannahalage, Richard A. Kirian, Alex Kozlov, Ruslan P. Kurta, Hugh Marman, Derek Mendez, Andrew Morgan, Keith Nugent, Dominik Oberthuer, Harry Quiney, Juliane Reinhardt, Saumitra Saha, Jonas A. Sellberg, Raymond Sierra, Max Wiedorn, Brian Abbey, Andrew Martin, Connie Darmanin
Summary: Serial crystallography of membrane proteins often uses high-viscosity injectors to deliver crystals to the X-ray beam. However, the potential impact of the injection process on the structure of the carrier medium, lipidic cubic phase (LCP), is not well understood. This study investigates the influence of injectors on LCP structure by analyzing phase changes during continuous flow injection. The results suggest that reservoir pressure does not correlate with observed phase changes, and different phase behaviors are observed during vacuum and atmospheric pressure injections.
JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca J. Jernigan, Dhenugen Logeswaran, Diandra Doppler, Nirupa Nagaratnam, Mukul Sonker, Jay-How Yang, Gihan Ketawala, Jose M. Martin-Garcia, Megan L. Shelby, Thomas D. Grant, Valerio Mariani, Alexandra Tolstikova, Michelle Z. Sheikh, Mimi Cho Yung, Matthew A. Coleman, Sahba Zaare, Emily K. Kaschner, Mohammad Towshif Rabbani, Reza Nazari, Michele A. Zacks, Brandon Hayes, Raymond G. Sierra, Mark S. Hunter, Stella Lisova, Alexander Batyuk, Christopher Kupitz, Sebastien Boutet, Debra T. Hansen, Richard A. Kirian, Marius Schmidt, Raimund Fromme, Matthias Frank, Alexandra Ros, Julian J. -L. Chen, Sabine Botha, Petra Fromme
Summary: NendoU from SARS-CoV-2 cleaves the polyuridine leader sequence of antisense viral RNA, allowing the virus to evade the innate immune system. The room-temperature structure of NendoU reveals its flexibility and dynamics, suggesting its function as an allosteric switch. The enzyme shows preference for uridine-purine cleavage, and its activity is maintained even in crystal form. This study sets a benchmark for future time-resolved crystallography research and may contribute to the development of more effective antivirals against coronaviral infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Izumi Ishigami, Sergio Carbajo, Nadia Zatsepin, Masahide Hikita, Chelsie E. Conrad, Garrett Nelson, Jesse Coe, Shibom Basu, Thomas Grant, Matthew H. Seaberg, Raymond G. Sierra, Mark S. Hunter, Petra Fromme, Raimund Fromme, Denis L. Rousseau, Syun-Ru Yeh
Summary: Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is a hemeprotein that reduces dioxygen to water. It has a unique structure with a binuclear center composed of a copper atom and a heme iron. In the CO complex of CcO, the CO molecule dissociates from the heme iron and moves to a temporary binding site between the copper atom and the heme iron. This new structure provides insight into the ligand dissociation trajectory and protein dynamics.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sabine Botha, Petra Fromme
Summary: Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) is a revolutionary method that allows the collection of X-ray diffraction data from tiny crystals at room temperature, enabling high temporal resolution studies of macromolecules. The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a significant impact on SFX research, leading to a shift in focus towards studying the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Diandra Doppler, Mukul Sonker, Ana Egatz-Gomez, Alice Grieco, Sahba Zaare, Rebecca Jernigan, Jose Domingo Meza-Aguilar, Mohammad T. T. Rabbani, Abhik Manna, Roberto C. C. Alvarez, Konstantinos Karpos, Jorvani C. Cruz Villarreal, Garrett Nelson, Jay-How Yang, Jackson Carrion, Katherine Morin, Gihan K. K. Ketawala, Angel L. L. Pey, Miguel Angel Ruiz-Fresneda, Juan Luis Pacheco-Garcia, Juan A. A. Hermoso, Reza Nazari, Raymond Sierra, Mark S. S. Hunter, Alexander Batyuk, Christopher J. J. Kupitz, Robert E. E. Sublett, Stella Lisova, Valerio Mariani, Sebastien Boutet, Raimund Fromme, Thomas D. D. Grant, Sabine Botha, Petra Fromme, Richard A. A. Kirian, Jose Manuel Martin-Garcia, Alexandra Ros
Summary: A modular microfluidic droplet injector (MDI) design was used to successfully deliver microcrystals of NQO1 and phycocyanin, reducing sample consumption by up to 4-fold. This method allows for the study of protein crystals that are difficult to obtain in large quantities necessary for continuous injection.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Egatz-Gomez, Michaela Asher, Rozabel Peterson, Manuel A. Roldan, Alexandra Ros
Summary: This study presents a straightforward, accessible, and repeatable microwave-assisted synthesis method for scaling up the production of UCNPs with well-defined size and crystallinity.
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
C. Swathi K. Menon, Konstantinos Karpos, Thomas D. Grant, Andrey V. Struts, Steven D. E. Fried, Roberto C. Alvarez, Suchithranga M. D. C. Perera, Irina V. Kosheleva, Alan Grossfield, Petra Fromme, Richard A. Kirian, Michael F. Brown
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Michael F. Brown, Thomas D. Grant, Suchithranga M. D. C. Perera, Leslie Salas-Estrada, Andrey V. Struts, Konstantinos Karpos, Udeep Chawla, Steven D. E. Fried, C. Swathi K. Menon, Nipuna Weerasinghe, Domingo Meza, Derek Mendez, Alan Grossfield, Petra Fromme, Richard A. Kirian
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)