Article
Mechanics
Sudip Shyam, Bhavesh Dhapola, Pranab Kumar Mondal
Summary: We study the breakup dynamics of a ferrofluid droplet in a T-shaped Lab on a Chip device under a non-uniform magnetic field. Experimental and numerical results show that the asymmetric distribution of magnetic force lines induces the asymmetric splitting of the droplet into two sister droplets. We also find that the size of the sister droplets can be independently controlled by manipulating the applied force field gradient.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Bryan Ang, Ankush Sookram, Citsabehsan Devendran, Vincent He, Kellie Tuck, Victor Cadarso, Adrian Neild
Summary: Surface acoustic wave (SAW) driven devices often use polymeric microfluidic channels with low acoustic impedance mismatch to the fluid in contact for precise control of the wave field. This work demonstrates the successful implementation of integrating a glass insert at the ceiling of the PDMS microfluidic channel in a SAW activated nanosieve, resulting in a significant increase in flow rate and maintenance of high capture efficiencies. The glass-inserted device allows for processing larger volume samples, overcoming a main limitation of these devices.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Raul Fernandez-Mateo, Victor Calero, Hywel Morgan, Antonio Ramos, Pablo Garcia-Sanchez
Summary: This paper investigates stationary electroosmotic flows of electrolytes around insulating constrictions induced by low frequency AC electric fields, introducing the concept of concentration-polarization electroosmosis. Experimental results are in qualitative agreement with the model predictions, but trapping of particles in shallow channels is also observed.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiudong Duan, Bin Xu, Xinqi Zheng, Zhou Zheng, Yingdong Luo, Xingyue Liu, Xin Tu, Chaolong Song
Summary: This article presents a digital holography-based technique for on- chip measurement and visualization of magnetic field distribution, providing a solution to the challenge of determining the real field distribution within microchips with high precision using conventional magnetometers.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Li, Peng Song, Jinpei Zhao, Kristina Vaklinova, Xiaoxu Zhao, Zejun Li, Zhizhan Qiu, Zihao Wang, Li Lin, Meng Zhao, Tun Seng Herng, Yuxin Zuo, Win Jonhson, Wei Yu, Xiao Hai, Pin Lyu, Haomin Xu, Huimin Yang, Cheng Chen, Stephen J. Pennycook, Jun Ding, Jinghua Teng, A. H. Castro Neto, Kostya S. Novoselov, Jiong Lu
Summary: A mild electrochemical exfoliation method has been developed to synthesize large-size, high crystallinity two-dimensional superconductor monolayers, enabling the fabrication of twisted van der Waals heterostructures and printed films. This method yields 2DSC monolayers with unconventional Ising pair superconductivity and enhanced upper critical field, with NbSe2 achieving a high yield of large single-crystal monolayers up to 300 μm. The resulting twisted NbSe2 vdWHs exhibit high stability, good interfacial properties, and modulation of critical current by magnetic field interaction.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Liu Chen, Yongxiang Wu, Hao Chen, Chunlin He, Gjergj Dodbiba, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, Xinpeng Wang, Yuezhou Wei, Toyohisa Fujita
Summary: A novel method for separating a mixture of two kinds of rare earth particles has been developed using a high-gradient magnetic separator and water-based magnetic fluid. The results show that this magnetic separation method has a relatively high efficiency for separating certain rare earth elements.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zuzana Bednarikova, Martina Kubovcikova, Iryna Antal, Andrea Antosova, Miroslav Gancar, Jozef Kovac, Radka Sobotova, Vladimir Girman, Diana Fedunova, Martina Koneracka, Zuzana Gazova, Vlasta Zavisova
Summary: Silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles are useful for magnetic separation of nucleic acids. A series of silica-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SiO2@MNPs) were synthesized for efficient nucleic acid separation in viral infection detection. The size of the nanoparticles influenced their RNA-binding properties and magnetic separation efficiency. The smaller SiO2@MNPs with TEOS/MNPs ratios of 1.0 and 2.0 exhibited the highest binding and separation efficiencies, making them promising candidates for clinical application in RNA viruses.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Roozbeh Abedini-Nassab, Negar Sadeghidelouei, C. Wyatt Shields
Summary: Lab-on-a-chip tools are crucial in advancing modern biology and medicine, particularly in the precise transport of single particles and cells for analysis. Magnetophoretic circuits have emerged as a unique technology for manipulating individual bioparticles in a parallel and controlled manner. This review discusses theoretical considerations, provides a tutorial on operating magnetophoretic devices, compares their utility with other microchip-based platforms, and explores their potential in addressing unmet needs in single-cell biology and medicine.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Pietro P Falciglia, Erica Gagliano, Pietro Scandura, Carlo Bianco, Tiziana Tosco, Rajandrea Sethi, Gaspare Varvaro, Elisabetta Agostinelli, Corrado Bongiorno, Antonio Russo, Stefano Romano, Graziella Malandrino, Paolo Roccaro, Federico G. A Vagliasindi
Summary: This study modeled and experimentally studied the dynamic behavior of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) released in a water flow under an external magnetic field. The physical and magnetic properties of MNPs and their tendency to form aggregates were investigated. The study found that MNPs have shorter trajectories in flow regions farther from the duct walls, where frictional forces are lower. The study also showed that MNPs can be attracted even in regions with a weak magnetic field. Additionally, the size of MNP aggregates significantly affects particle dynamics, but does not greatly impact overall removal efficiency for aggregate diameters larger than 1.2 mu m.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Pietro P. Falciglia, Erica Gagliano, Pietro Scandura, Carlo Bianco, Tiziana Tosco, Rajandrea Sethi, Gaspare Varvaro, Elisabetta Agostinelli, Corrado Bongiorno, Antonio Russo, Stefano Romano, Graziella Malandrino, Paolo Roccaro, Federico G. A. Vagliasindi
Summary: This study conducted a modelling and experimental research on the dynamic behavior of magnetite nanoparticles released in water flow under an external magnetic field, revealing that the attraction of MNPs is possible even in regions with weak magnetic fields. The size of particle aggregates significantly influences their dynamics, but for aggregate diameters larger than 1.2 μm, the removal efficiency remains high.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Roozbeh Abedini-Nassab
Summary: Magnetometamaterials, inspired by electric materials, can transport magnetic particles and their transport behavior is similar to electron transport in periodic lattices. The transport rate of magnetic particles can be tuned by adjusting the external magnetic field. Two-dimensional magnetometamaterials can transport particles in arbitrary paths under appropriate conditions.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Giovanni Russo, Marco Lattuada
Summary: In this work, a method combining activated swelling and control of free radical polymerization is used to successfully prepare monodisperse non-spherical polymer particles with asymmetric Janus structure. The addition of inhibitors 4-methoxyphenol (MEHQ) and O2 during the polymerization process enables the control of particle shape, resulting in a variety of shapes with excellent monodispersity and reproducibility. Furthermore, the introduction of iron oxide nanocrystals within the polymer matrix adds superparamagnetic properties to these non-spherical polymer particles.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Umer Sajjad, Finn Klingbeil, Findan Block, Rasmus B. Hollander, Shehroz Bhatti, Enno Lage, Jeffrey McCord
Summary: The research focuses on achieving high efficiency separation for biological analytes in biomedical applications by selectively and directionally controlling the movement of microbeads through adjusting magnetic fields. Despite significant size and magnetic content distributions within microbead populations, high separation efficiencies are demonstrated.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergi G. Leyva, Ralph L. Stoop, Ignacio Pagonabarraga, Pietro Tierno
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate the significant impact of the dispersing medium on the collective dynamics of interacting Brownian particles in a ratchet transport system. The long-range hydrodynamic interactions (His) result in a speed-up effect, leading to a higher translational speed and the formation and growth of clusters perpendicular to the driving direction. This research sheds light on the role of the dispersing medium in the dynamics of driven colloidal matter and the morphology of clusters.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sandhya Rani Goudu, Hyeonseol Kim, Xinghao Hu, Byeonghwa Lim, Kunwoo Kim, Sri Ramulu Torati, Hakan Ceylan, Devin Sheehan, Metin Sitti, CheolGi Kim
Summary: A pseudo-diamagnetophoresis mattertronic approach is proposed for programmable manipulation of single label-free cells, where cells are moved along linear negative micromagnetic patterns, switched at eclipse diode patterns and stored in potential wells in biocompatible ferrofluids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aditya Ashok, Tuan-Khoa Nguyen, Matthew Barton, Michael Leitch, Mostafa Kamal Masud, Hyeongyu Park, Thanh-An Truong, Yusuf Valentino Kaneti, Hang Thu Ta, Xiaopeng Li, Kang Liang, Thanh Nho Do, Chun-Hui Wang, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Yusuke Yamauchi, Hoang-Phuong Phan
Summary: Flexible and low-impedance mesoporous gold electrodes were developed through a combination of bottom-up mesoporous formation technique and top-down microlithography process. These electrodes exhibited excellent mechanical flexibility, stable electrical characteristics, and high surface area, making them suitable for high current density transfer and biological sensing. In vivo experiments demonstrated successful peripheral nerve recording functionalities, highlighting the potential of these electrodes for neuronal recording and modulation applications.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kimberley Clack, Narshone Soda, Surasak Kasetsirikul, Rabbee G. G. Mahmudunnabi, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky
Summary: Liquid biopsy is a significant advancement in the early detection of cancer, as it offers painless sampling through easily accessible bodily fluids and eliminates the need for specialized equipment or trained staff. Nanotechnology and microfabrication have enabled the development of highly precise chip-based platforms, which can detect multiple cancer biomarkers simultaneously and overcome detection limitations. This review highlights the major advances in portable and semi-portable micro, nano, and multiplexed platforms for circulating cancer biomarker detection, discusses the merits and drawbacks of these platforms, and addresses the challenges and future directions in terms of device portability.
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xiangxun Chen, Yuao Wu, Van Thanh Dau, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Hang Thu Ta
Summary: Biological drugs (BDs) have become increasingly important in treating various diseases, but their effectiveness is limited by challenges in administration, delivery, stability, and degradation. Nanotechnology, specifically polymeric nanomaterials, is being used to overcome these limitations. This review examines recent articles on manufacturing methods for encapsulating BDs in polymeric materials and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies, such as emulsification, nanoprecipitation, self-encapsulation, and coaxial electrospraying. The impact of critical synthesis parameters on BD activity, such as sonication, is also explored, along with future challenges and perspectives for scale-up production and clinical translation.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Aditya Vashi, Kamalalayam Rajan Sreejith, Nam-Trung Nguyen
Summary: Gravity is crucial for the development of life on earth. Reduced gravity experiments are usually conducted in the International Space Station, but its challenges have led to the development of ground-based devices and methods. However, more attention and research are still needed for the advantages of space conditions in developing new drugs, vaccines, and chemical applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bishal Boro, Ratul Paul, Hui Ling Tan, Quang Thang Trinh, Jabor Rabeah, Chia-Che Chang, Chih-Wen Pao, Wen Liu, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Binh Khanh Mai, John Mondal
Summary: In this study, a unique metalated porous organic polymer was synthesized using a cost-effective approach, and it exhibited superior catalytic performance for low-temperature reactions in water. The polymer addressed some drawbacks of conventional catalytic systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cong Thanh Nguyen, Dinh Gia Ninh, Tuan-Hung Nguyen, Trung-Hieu Vu, Dang D. H. Tran, Braiden Tong, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Van Thanh Dau, Dzung Viet Dao
Summary: This paper presents a new self-powered mechanical sensing technology based on vertical piezo-optoelectronic coupling. By applying mechanical stress or strain to the 3C-SiC/Si heterojunction, the photogenerated voltage can be changed. Experimental results demonstrate a highly linear relationship between strain and vertical photovoltage, increasing under tensile strain and decreasing under compressive strain. The proposed technology exhibits significantly larger strain sensitivities compared to lateral piezo-optoelectronic couplings reported in literature. The enhancement in strain sensitivity opens up possibilities for the development of ultra-sensitive and self-powered mechanical sensors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thanh-An Truong, Tuan Khoa Nguyen, Xinghao Huang, Aditya Ashok, Sharda Yadav, Yoonseok Park, Mai Thanh Thai, Nhat-Khuong Nguyen, Hedieh Fallahi, Shuhua Peng, Sima Dimitrijev, Yi-Chin Toh, Yusuke Yamauchi, Chun Hui Wang, Nigel Hamilton Lovell, John Ashley Rogers, Thanh Nho Do, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Hangbo Zhao, Hoang-Phuong Phan
Summary: A stamping-free micromachining process is used to realize 3D flexible and stretchable wide bandgap electronics. Photolithography is applied on both sides of free-standing nanomembranes to create flexible structures directly on standard silicon wafers, allowing control over optical transparency and mechanical properties. The detachment and controlled mechanical buckling of the devices transform 2D wide bandgap semiconductors into complex 3D structures. This advancement in wide bandgap materials with 3D architectures will greatly facilitate the development of advanced 3D bio-electronics interfaces.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Helena H. W. B. Hansen, Haotian Cha, Lingxi Ouyang, Jun Zhang, Bo Jin, Helen Stratton, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Hongjie An
Summary: Nanobubbles, suspended gaseous entities in liquids, have versatile biomedical applications such as aiding in drug delivery, serving as imaging agents, and allowing controlled and targeted delivery. This review provides an overview of their preparation, characterization, current research focuses, and their potential impact on the future of biomedicine.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Haotian Cha, Hoseyn A. Amiri, Sima Moshafi, Ali Karimi, Ali Nikkhah, Xiangxun Chen, Hang T. Ta, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Jun Zhang
Summary: Inertial microfluidics is a technique that uses the finite inertia of fluid at high flow speed to manipulate and separate microparticles. Embedding periodic micro-obstacles into curvilinear channels has been found to be an effective strategy to improve inertial focusing and separation. This study systematically investigated the influence of micro-obstacles on inertial focusing and developed a high-resolution microfluidic device for particle and cell separation. The results showed that concave obstacles were more effective in tuning particle inertial focusing and separation compared to convex obstacles, and the square concave obstacle channel offered the highest separation resolution. The developed microfluidic device showed high-efficiency separation of polystyrene beads and U87MG cancer cells from blood.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Vinay Kumar, Van Thanh Dau, Zia Javanbakht, Andrew Seagar, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Peter Woodfield
Summary: The magnetic body force is crucial for modeling convection in ferrofluids, but there is no consensus on the formulation of this term in recent literature. We present an updated derivation of the body force directly from the Lorentz force and Maxwell's equations. By comparing with other formulations, we find that the calculated body force differs by a factor of about four for a susceptibility of the order of 1, greatly affecting thermomagnetic convection predictions for a heated microwire.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tanzena Tanny, Mohamed Sallam, Narshone Soda, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Mobashwer Alam, Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky
Summary: The CRISPR/Cas system is an effective diagnostic tool for agricultural pathogens, providing high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid assay time. It is suitable for diagnosing plant pathogens and identifying genetically modified crops.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cong Minh Nguyen, Mohamed Sallam, Md Sajedul Islam, Kimberley Clack, Narshone Soda, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky
Summary: Playing a critical role in fetal growth and development, the placenta serves as the interface between fetal and maternal circulation. Placental exosomes, small membrane-bound extracellular vesicles released by the placenta during pregnancy, contain biomolecules that can potentially be biomarkers for maternal diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of placental exosomes in diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, suggesting their potential as new biomarkers in liquid biopsy analysis. This review provides an overview of the biological function of placental exosomes, their potential as biomarkers for maternal diseases, and the current barriers and future directions in exosome isolation, characterization, and detection techniques. Additionally, microfluidic devices for exosome research are discussed.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Akriti Nepal, Huong D. N. Tran, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Hang Thu Ta
Summary: In traumatized patients, uncontrollable continuous bleeding and unexpected intraoperative bleeding are the primary causes of mortality, increasing the risk of complications and surgical failure. Haemostatic sponges, with their high liquid absorption ratio, are an effective clinical practice for treating various types of wound bleeding. When in contact with blood, they can cause platelet adhesion, aggregation, and thrombosis, achieving the goal of wound bleeding control.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Haotian Cha, Yuchen Dai, Helena H. W. B. Hansen, Lingxi Ouyang, Xiangxun Chen, Xiaoyue Kang, Hongjie An, Hang Thu Ta, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Jun Zhang
Summary: Inertial microfluidics utilizes fluid inertia to manipulate particles and cells in a simple and precise manner. This study introduces an innovative way to adjust inertial focusing by embedding asymmetrical obstacle microstructures, resulting in unilateral focusing. The influence of obstacle size and asymmetrical patterns on unilateral inertial focusing is characterized, and this approach is successfully applied for the separation of particles and cancer cells from white blood cells.
CYBORG AND BIONIC SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Fariba Malekpour Galogahi, Melody Christie, Ajeet Singh Yadav, Hongjie An, Helen Stratton, Nam-Trung Nguyen
Summary: In this study, a core-shell particle was developed as a protective framework for DNA, with potential applications in digital PCR. Liquid beads, specifically core-shell particles with liquid cores, were generated using a high-throughput and facile flow-focusing microfluidic device, providing precise control over process parameters and particle characteristics. The experimental results demonstrated that the liquid beads formulated using this technique can amplify encapsulated DNA and be used for digital PCR without interfering with the fluorescence signal.