Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kevin S. Zhang, Ambika Nadkarni, Rajorshi Paul, Adrian M. Martin, Sindy K. Y. Tang
Summary: Microscale surgery has made significant advances in fundamental biology and engineering biological systems, but manual operations are labor-intensive and lack reproducibility. Microfluidics provides a powerful technology to control and manipulate cells and multicellular systems at the micro- and nanoscale with high precision. This review summarizes the physical and chemical mechanisms, design principles, applications, and implementations of microscale surgery in microfluidic systems. Existing challenges and opportunities are highlighted throughout the review.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xizhen Yi, Qiang Zhang, Tianze Xie, Shuo Feng, Ning Xu, Jin-Ming Lin
Summary: This paper reports a method integrating single-cell extraction, online derivatization, and mass spectrometry for multifunctional and more accurate analysis. The method was demonstrated by quantitatively evaluating the ammonia content in single cells, revealing the cellular heterogeneity in ammonia metabolism. By combining microfluidic extraction, derivatization, and signal amplification, the analysis sensitivity in mass spectrometry was enhanced.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xizhen Yi, Qiang Zhang, Tianze Xie, Shuo Feng, Ning Xu, Jin-Ming Lin
Summary: A method integrating single-cell extraction, online derivatization, and MS analysis was reported for multifunctional and more accurate MS analysis. The ammonia content in a single cell was successfully quantitatively evaluated, revealing the cellular heterogeneity in ammonia metabolism.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Minruihong Wang, Hongyan Liang, Xiao Chen, Deyong Chen, Junbo Wang, Yuan Zhang, Jian Chen
Summary: Single-cell analysis plays a crucial role in scientific research and clinical diagnosis, especially in the study of dynamic immune processes and tumor research. The development of optoelectronic flow cytometry technology offers new possibilities for complete blood cell counting and is expected to become the standard for future blood analysis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
P. Sadeghi, E. Kjeang
Summary: A mathematical model is developed and validated for electrochemical energy conversion in paper-based, capillary-driven, microfluidic flow cells. By refining the Nernst-Planck equation, a 2D model is able to accurately represent a 3D cell in unsteady flows. The model is used to optimize the flow architecture and microstructure of the electrodes and absorbent pad, resulting in significant improvements in power output, runtime, and energy efficiency of the cell.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yifei Wang, Shijing Luo, Holly Y. H. Kwok, Wending Pan, Yingguang Zhang, Xiaolong Zhao, Dennis Y. C. Leung
Summary: Microfluidic fuel cells, utilizing microfluidic flows as electrolytes, have shown significant improvements in power output and fuel utilization, with various fuel options being explored. Novel cell designs based on cellulose paper and fabric materials offer promising applications in medical diagnostics, wearable health devices, and smart logistics, despite facing competition from conventional plastic cells due to extra pumping requirements.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Melanys Benitez, Pablo Zubiate, Ignacio Del Villar, Abian B. Socorro-Leranoz, Ignacio R. Matias
Summary: The development of resonance phenomena-based optical biosensors has become increasingly important in recent years. In this study, a microfluidic resonance-based planar waveguide platform was proposed for biosensing applications. The system was able to successfully detect the binding of IgG/anti-IgG.
Article
Biophysics
Myunghun Kim, Youngju Kwon, Yoomin Ahn
Summary: This study developed eco-friendly and disposable paper-based membraneless microfluidic enzymatic fuel cells (EFCs) without any mediators to reduce toxicity and cost. Glucose oxidase and laccase were immobilized on multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes to catalyze the redox reaction of glucose and oxygen, with experimental results showing that glucose concentration affects cell performance.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kennedy Omondi Okeyo, Ryuta Hiyaji, Hidehiro Oana
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of generating tumor cell vaccine models using single-cell surgery in a microfluidic device. By integrating one-to-one electrofusion, shear flow reseparation, and on-device culture, the researchers successfully fused dendritic cells and Jurkat cells, creating tumor nucleic material-free vaccine cells.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Muhammad Tanveer, Kwang-Yong Kim
Summary: Membraneless microfluidic fuel cells (MMFCs) are being extensively studied as an alternative to batteries and conventional membrane fuel cells due to their simple functioning and lower manufacturing cost. This review article summarizes different flow configurations of MMFCs reported between 2002 and 2020, focusing on how they improve power density output by reducing or modifying diffusive mixing and depletion zones. Opportunities for research and challenges in improving MMFC performance are also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ken-Ichi Wada, Kazuo Hosokawa, Yoshihiro Ito, Mizuo Maeda
Summary: The study investigated the quantitative properties of peroxisome transfer in a microfluidic device, finding that the number of peroxisomes transferred through a 10 μm tunnel was smaller than that through a 4 μm tunnel. This suggests that the microfluidic device is capable of quantitatively controlling peroxisome transfer.
ANALYTICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Xiaojing Qi, Shuhao Ma, Xinchi Jiang, Honghui Wu, Juanjuan Zheng, Shuo Wang, Keqin Han, Tianyuan Zhang, Jianqing Gao, Xuejin Li
Summary: This study investigates the passive homing behavior of individual mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in microenvironments that mimic interendothelial clefts. The computational simulations provide insights into the complex dynamic behavior of MSCs and offer an objective way to evaluate their homing ability in a slit-like microenvironment.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Sheng Yan, Dan Yuan
Summary: The development of microfluidic technologies, particularly microflow cytometry with 3D focusing capabilities, has shown great promise in single-cell analysis, offering a wide range of applications in biology and medicine.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Vikash Kumar, Malaya Prasad Behera, Sarat Singamneni
Summary: Microfluidic fuel cells (MFFCs) have gained significant research momentum for their potential applications in portable devices since their first appearance almost two decades ago. The effective fabrication of microfluidic channels with different materials has been the main focus, but manufacturing limitations have proven to be stumbling blocks. Paper-based MFFCs have been reported with some success, but the longevity of these cells remains questionable. This article addresses this issue by replacing paper-based flow channels with 3D-printed substrates to improve performance and longevity.
3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nino F. Laubli, Michael S. Gerlt, Alexander Wuthrich, Renard T. M. Lewis, Naveen Shamsudhin, Ulrike Kutay, Daniel Ahmed, Jurg Dual, Bradley J. Nelson
Summary: Acoustically excited microstructures have shown significant potential for small-scale biomedical applications by overcoming major microfluidic limitations. The embedded microbubble design combines the benefits of solid structures and microbubbles while minimizing their drawbacks, demonstrating capabilities for microfluidic applications such as mixing performance and controlled rotational manipulation of individual cells. This innovative design offers a versatile and efficient solution for industrial and clinical purposes.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)