Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Kel S. Hakim, Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas
Summary: Nonlinear electrokinetics technologies, such as DEP particle trapping and EROT for particle assessments, have been widely applied in the analysis, sensing, and purification of microorganisms. Recent research has made significant advancements in these technologies, showcasing the potential future developments within the field of microscale EK.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joseph Bentor, Heston Dort, Rajan Ashutosh Chitrao, Youwei Zhang, Xiangchun Xuan
Summary: In this study, the effects of buffer concentration, particle size, and particle zeta potential on the electrophoretic velocity of polystyrene particles in a straight rectangular microchannel were systematically studied. The experimental results showed a 2(+/- 0.5)-order dependence of the nonlinear electrophoretic particle velocity on the applied electric field, which was consistent with the theoretical predictions for high electric fields. Additionally, it was observed that the nonlinear electrophoretic particle mobility increased with decreasing buffer concentration and particle size or increasing particle zeta potential, in line with the theoretical predictions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Iat Wai Leong, Makusu Tsutsui, Kazumichi Yokota, Sanae Murayama, Masateru Taniguchi
Summary: By using partial dielectric coatings, the nonlinear ionic current through a pore can be altered, allowing the pore to behave like a resistor, diode, and bipolar junction transistor. The reasons for asymmetric ion transport in the pore and the relationship between specifically charged surfaces and electroosmotic flow are revealed through numerical simulations. These findings provide a direct approach to modify the electroosmotic-flow-driven ionic current rectification in channel-based devices via dielectric coatings.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas
Summary: This review article discusses the evolution of insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) and insulator-based electrokinetic (iEK) systems, highlighting recent studies that suggest particle trapping in these systems is mainly due to a balance between electroosmotic and electrophoretic effects under DC and low-frequency AC potentials, rather than dielectrophoresis. The proposed renaming of the field from DC-iDEP to DC-iEK reflects the shift in understanding particle manipulation and separation mechanisms in these systems.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Abbi Miller, Nicole Hill, Kel Hakim, Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas
Summary: The study focused on developing optimized EK sample injection schemes for direct current insulator-based EK systems, utilizing mathematical modeling and experimental methods to investigate sample injection schemes considering nonlinear electrokinetic effects.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joseph Bentor, Xiangchun Xuan
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the nonlinear electrophoretic behavior of particles with different shapes and compares them with spherical particles. The results show that the particle shape affects the nonlinear electrophoretic behavior, and this behavior is enhanced in a low concentration buffer solution.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Blanca H. Lapizco-Encinas
Summary: This review article discusses the latest advancements in microscale electrokinetics for the analysis of cells and subcellular materials in clinical applications. It covers the potential of electrokinetic-based methods in liquid biopsies, circulating tumor cells, blood components, stem cells, and subcellular particles. The conclusions summarize the main advancements and future prospects in this field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haisong Lin, Wenzhuo Yu, Kiarash A. Sabet, Michael Bogumil, Yichao Zhao, Jacob Hambalek, Shuyu Lin, Sukantha Chandrasekaran, Omai Garner, Dino Di Carlo, Sam Emaminejad
Summary: This study presents a swarm of millimeter-sized magnet robots ('ferrobots') that can handle magnetized sample droplets and deliver nucleic acid amplification tests with precision and reliability. The automated platform demonstrated laboratory-equivalent operations for pooled testing, maximizing testing efficiency. Applied for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection, the results matched those obtained off-chip. The technology is easily manufacturable and distributable, potentially reducing reagent costs and instrumentation cost, making it a promising solution to expand global testing capacity.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Brian J. O'Grady, Michael D. Geuy, Hyosung Kim, Kylie M. Balotin, Everett R. Allchin, David C. Florian, Neelansh N. Bute, Taylor E. Scott, Gregory B. Lowen, Colin M. Fricker, Matthew L. Fitzgerald, Scott A. Guelcher, John P. Wikswo, Leon M. Bellan, Ethan S. Lippmann
Summary: Depositing a thin layer of parylene on 3D printed models allows them to be used as master molds for elastomeric device fabrication, making the prints biocompatible. Uncoated 3D prints can release toxic materials causing cell death, while parylene-coated prints can maintain cell viability and healthy morphology. This technique is simple and applicable for traditional microdevice fabrication and rapid prototyping of new designs.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jingui Qian, Huaize Lan, Liang Huang, Shaohui Zheng, Xuefeng Hu, Minghui Chen, Joshua E. -Y. Lee, Wei Zhang
Summary: Trace biological sample detection is crucial in biomedical pathology analysis. An orthogonal tunable acoustic tweezer allows simultaneous droplet transport and centrifugation, enhancing sensitivity for biomarker detection.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jingui Qian, Huaize Lan, Liang Huang, Shaohui Zheng, Xuefeng Hu, Minghui Chen, Joshua E. -Y. Lee, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study proposes an orthogonal tunable acoustic tweezer (OTAT) that can simultaneously transport and centrifuge droplets, thereby enhancing the concentration and sensitivity of analytes within the droplets. By integrating multiple modes, the OTAT allows for precise manipulation and fusion of droplets, enabling more accurate detection in one-stop point-of-care diagnosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pierre-Alexandre Goyette, Etienne Boulais, Maude Tremblay, Thomas Gervais
Summary: The article introduces the pixelated chemical display (PCD) for highly parallel and reconfigurable liquid handling on open surfaces. It creates microfluidic pixels to display dynamic chemical images on surfaces without the need for physical barriers.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
C. Riera-Llobet, L. Mendez-Mora, M. Cabello-Fusares, A. Hernandez-Machado
Summary: We propose a theoretical model to characterize the behavior of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in a microchannel with various widths. By using segments of different widths, we are able to find the relationship required to obtain collapsed viscosity curves for different fluids in just one experiment. Extensive experiments have been conducted using this setup to study the rheological characteristics of blood and plasma, leading to the identification of various diseases. It is demonstrated that our setup and mathematical model can distinguish blood samples with different erythrocyte concentrations and differentiate between non-altered, sodium chloride (NaCl)-altered, and de-ionized water (DIW)-altered blood, thus emulating the abnormalities in red blood cells associated with certain pathologies.
Article
Mechanics
Oles Dubrovski, James Friend, Ofer Manor
Summary: We study the problem of fast acoustic streaming, which refers to the generation of moderate or large hydrodynamic Reynolds number acoustic streaming by the convection of momentum in an acoustic wave. By splitting the problem into a time-averaged system of equations for the steady flow component and a dynamic system of equations for its quasi-periodic flow counterpart, we obtain a set of nonlinear wave equations. Our study shows that acoustic streaming has weak effects on the acoustic wave close to the wave source, and its magnitude is proportional to an inverse Strouhal number at small Reynolds number. However, at moderate and large Reynolds numbers, the streaming magnitude becomes comparable to the pre-attenuating periodic flow and dominates the flow far from the wave source.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Vishnu Teja Mantripragada, Antarip Poddar
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between thermal Marangoni flow and non-Newtonian rheology within the framework of thin film theory. Numerical simulations show that the rheology of the fluid nonlinearly influences the mechanisms of disjoining pressure and Marangoni stress. Three distinct spreading regimes for non-Newtonian drops are observed.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ghulam Destgeer, Mengxing Ouyang, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: Researchers have developed a method to manufacture concentric amphiphilic particles using 3D printing and UV exposure, allowing precise control over particle size and shape for biological entity analysis. This technology enables a wide range of droplet volumes and can increase seeding density and orientation of dropicles for imaging and analysis purposes.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sohyung Lee, Joseph de Rutte, Robert Dimatteo, Doyeon Koo, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: Researchers have developed a scalable method for manufacturing hydrogel microparticles with defined shapes and chemical functionalization. The process involves using a two-phase system and microfluidic technology, and allows for localized surface chemistry on the microparticles. These microparticles can be used for cell loading and single-cell secretion analysis.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Kyung Ha, Joseph de Rutte, Dino Di Carlo, Andrea L. Bertozzi
Summary: This paper introduces a new method to create templated droplets using amphiphilic microparticles and presents a mathematical model to explain the key properties of droplet formation.
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS
(2022)
Letter
Biochemical Research Methods
Maik Herbig, Akihiro Isozaki, Dino Di Carlo, Jochen Guck, Nao Nitta, Robert Damoiseaux, Shogo Kamikawaji, Eigo Suyama, Hirofumi Shintaku, Angela Ruohao Wu, Itoshi Nikaido, Keisuke Goda
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haisong Lin, Wenzhuo Yu, Kiarash A. Sabet, Michael Bogumil, Yichao Zhao, Jacob Hambalek, Shuyu Lin, Sukantha Chandrasekaran, Omai Garner, Dino Di Carlo, Sam Emaminejad
Summary: This study presents a swarm of millimeter-sized magnet robots ('ferrobots') that can handle magnetized sample droplets and deliver nucleic acid amplification tests with precision and reliability. The automated platform demonstrated laboratory-equivalent operations for pooled testing, maximizing testing efficiency. Applied for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection, the results matched those obtained off-chip. The technology is easily manufacturable and distributable, potentially reducing reagent costs and instrumentation cost, making it a promising solution to expand global testing capacity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matteo Antognoli, Laura Donato, Chiara Galletti, Daniel Stoecklein, Dino Di Carlo, Elisabetta Brunazzi
Summary: Microfluidic reactors enable precise control of fluid and operating conditions for continuous chemical reactions. Adding cylindrical obstacles (pillars) in the mixing channel is an effective strategy to enhance reagent mixing. Optimized sequences of pillars have been found to significantly improve mixing of single-phase fluids. However, further investigations are needed to understand the efficiency and robustness in mixing fluids with different properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matt G. Sorrells, Yurim Seo, Melia Magnen, Bliss Broussard, Roya Sheybani, Ajay M. Shah, Hollis R. O'Neal, Henry T. K. Tse Jr, Mark R. Looney, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: This study examined the correlation between the measurements performed using the IntelliSep test and biological markers and processes associated with sepsis. The results showed a linear correlation between the IntelliSep Index (ISI) scores and the quantities of neutrophil DNA and citrullinated histone DNA, indicating that the IntelliSep test may indicate changes consistent with sepsis.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Konstantinos Kechagidis, Benjamin Owen, Lionel Guillou, Henry Tse, Dino Di Carlo, Timm Kruger
Summary: The study investigates the dynamics of a rigid spherical particle in a microfluidic cross-slot junction. The entry position and size of the particle are found to strongly affect its dynamics and trajectory shape. Larger particles tend to have longer residence times and oscillate less due to their confinement. The findings contribute to the understanding of particle dynamics in intersecting flows and have implications for the design of optimized geometries for cytometry and particle manipulation.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Dino Di Carlo
Summary: Malignant cells in tissue biopsies can be efficiently characterized using deformability cytometry after being singularized and suspended using a tissue grinder.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shreya Udani, Justin Langerman, Doyeon Koo, Sevana Baghdasarian, Brian Cheng, Simran Kang, Citradewi Soemardy, Joseph de Rutte, Kathrin Plath, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: By developing secretion-encoded single-cell sequencing (SEC-seq) method, the authors simultaneously measured the secretion and transcriptome for thousands of cells, and found heterogeneity in the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) within the cell population, which is poorly correlated with the VEGFA transcript level. Enrichment of a specific cell subpopulation characterized by a unique gene expression signature enabled the identification of gene signatures linked to specific secretory states. SEC-seq facilitates mechanistic studies and the development of means to modulate cellular secretion.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Mehmet Akif Sahin, Helen Werner, Shreya Udani, Dino Di Carlo, Ghulam Destgeer
Summary: This article reviews the state-of-the-art particle manufacturing technologies based on flow-assisted photolithography in microfluidic channels. It discusses important physicochemical concepts and categorizes particles based on their structural and compositional complexity. The article highlights the advantages of different techniques and explores the potential applications of fabricated particles. It also provides a future perspective on improving particle fabrication throughput, achieving new particle shapes, automated particle measurement, and expanding the application of 'lab on a particle' technologies to other research areas.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert Dimatteo, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: This study presents a workflow for rapid screening and sorting of individual T cells based on the accumulation of IL-2 secretion in nanoliter droplets encoded back onto the secreting cell's surface. By partitioning cells using droplets and eliminating diffusive crosstalk, this method enables rapid accumulation of signals onto cell surfaces, allowing for high-throughput sorting.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matteo Antognoli, Daniel Stoecklein, Chiara Galletti, Elisabetta Brunazzi, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: This study optimized mixing efficiency by analyzing sequences of cylindrical obstacles in the inertial regime, predicted and optimized interfacial stretching of co-flowing fluids using a specialized software, and tested new passive mixer designs using confocal microscopy and CFD simulations, achieving mixing efficiencies around 80%.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yilian Wang, Vishwesh Shah, Angela Lu, Ella Pachler, Brian Cheng, Dino Di Carlo
Summary: A lab-on-a-particle solution for digital counting of enzymatic reactions using hydrogel particles was proposed, allowing for high-throughput compartmentalization of reactions with simple pipetting steps. This approach significantly amplifies the sensitivity of detection and reduces the need for specialized equipment and instruments.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Ryan Shijie Du, Lily Liu, Simon Ng, Sneha Sambandam, Bernardo Hernandez Adame, Hansell Perez, Kyung Ha, Claudia Falcon, Joseph de Rutte, Dino Di Carlo, Andrea L. Bertozzi
Summary: This study discusses the design and application of Drop-carrier particles (DCPs) in biological assays and reactions. It presents a theoretical prediction for volume distribution by minimizing surface energy and develops a probabilistic pairwise interaction model to achieve uniform volume distribution with fewer interactions required. Optimizing the geometry of DCPs leads to minimal required target solution and uniformity in droplet volume.
