Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Armaghan Fakhfouri, Melanie Colditz, Citsabehsan Devendran, Kateryna Ivanova, Stefan Jacob, Adrian Neild, Andreas Winkler
Summary: Precise manipulation of (sub)-micron particles is crucial in many biomedical applications, and surface acoustic waves (SAW) show great promise for this purpose. In commonly used SAW tweezers, particle manipulation relies on the direct acoustic radiation effect, which becomes less effective for nanoscale particles due to the dominance of a second-order mechanism called acoustic streaming. By utilizing stiff microchannels and precise control, we introduce an approach that combines acoustic streaming with the acoustic radiation effect, resulting in enhanced manipulation of nanoparticles even at relatively large wavelengths.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Citsabehsan Devendran, David J. Collins, Adrian Neild
Summary: Surface acoustic wave (SAW) micromanipulation offers modularity, easy integration into microfluidic devices and a high degree of flexibility. However, reducing the threshold for manipulating smaller particles is a major challenge. The novel excitation configuration based on diffractive-acoustic SAW (DASAW) actuation shows promise in reducing the critical minimum particle size that can be manipulated, with the ability to tune the streaming magnitude by changing the channel height.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jun Long Han, Hong Hu, Qing Yun Huang, Yu Lin Lei
Summary: In this study, an acoustofluidic platform based on standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) was established to analyze the influence of droplet contact angle on particle separation. Experimental results demonstrated the importance of reducing the contact angle for achieving better particle separation efficiency.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gianluca Mezzanzanica, Olivier Francais, Stefano Mariani
Summary: Size sorting, line focusing, and isolation of microparticles or cells are essential for disease diagnostic tools in biology and biomedicine. This paper presents a finite element model of a microfluidic surface acoustic wave-based device for microparticle manipulation. Acoustic waves are used to create a standing surface acoustic wave in a microchannel, allowing for non-contact manipulation. The effects of microchannel size on microparticle actuation are discussed using sensitivity analysis and exemplary results.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mahnoush Tayebi, Dahou Yang, David J. Collins, Ye Ai
Summary: Active sorting via acoustic and electric fields has potential in microscale separation activities, with the combination of these techniques taking advantage of multiple force mechanisms simultaneously. The concurrent application of dielectrophoretic (DEP) and acousto-phoretic forces has been shown to decrease the critical diameter at which particles can be separated, allowing for efficient sorting of subpopulations of extracellular vesicles. Using a combined acoustic/electric approach, exosome purification with high purity and recovery rates has been demonstrated.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Junjie Huang, Zhihao Zhu, Yu Zhang, Juan Tu, Xiasheng Guo, Dong Zhang
Summary: This paper presents the fabrication and performance of a glass-based centrifuge using acoustic methods. By controlling the driving voltage and solvent recipe, efficient enrichment of particles and cells with different diameters can be achieved. This centrifuge shows great potential in the enrichment of micro- and nanoparticles as well as rare samples.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Naiqing Zhang, Amihai Horesh, James Friend
Summary: Manipulation and mixing of fluids and colloids at the nanoscale is challenging due to the dominance of surface and viscous forces, but the use of megahertz (MHz)-order vibration in microfluidics has significantly advanced these capabilities. By discovering new regimes of acoustic wave interaction with small water droplets, manipulation and splitting of fluid droplets has been successfully achieved in fully transparent, high-aspect ratio nanoslit channels.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guanyu Zhang, Weiwei Cui, Wei Pang, Shuchang Liu, Shupeng Ning, Xingchen Li, Mark Reed
Summary: Acoustofluidics using a low-frequency acoustic field actuated micro-pillar array chip enables programmable and parallel trapping of nanoparticles efficiently. The chip has the ability to geometrically tune the trapping limit by altering pillar size, providing an alternative technique for submicron particle manipulation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jia Wei Ng, Adrian Neild
Summary: Surface acoustic waves (SAW) can generate a sound field in a microfluidic channel to exert forces on suspended particles and cells, enabling selective displacement. Different outcomes can be achieved by using a single SAW source or a pair of sources at different spatial positions to manipulate the particles.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Pengzhan Liu, Huiyu Huang, Xu Wang, Qiang Tang, Xiaomin Qi, Songfei Su, Zongheng Xiang, Junhui Hu
Summary: In this study, an innovative acoustic black hole tweezer (ABHT) is proposed and developed by incorporating a one-dimensional acoustic black hole (ABH) structure. The ABHT can easily achieve multiple manipulation functionalities such as trapping and extraction of particles in various fluidic environments. Numerical simulation and experimental evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of the ABHT, and the potential of employing ABHs in ultrasonic particle manipulation devices and acoustofluidic devices in the future.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yang Yang, Wei Pang, Hongxiang Zhang, Weiwei Cui, Ke Jin, Chongling Sun, Yanyan Wang, Lin Zhang, Xiubao Ren, Xuexin Duan
Summary: The article introduces a versatile microsystem for observing and analyzing single cells, which can perform various tasks such as observation, pretreatment, and analysis through methods like sound wave triggering and microchannel limitation. The reliability and robustness of this technology in complex biological samples have been demonstrated, indicating its broad potential in various fields.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Muhammad Soban Khan, Mehmet Akif Sahin, Ghulam Destgeer, Jinsoo Park
Summary: Surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based acoustofluidics has significant potential for biomedical applications. This study introduces a cross-type acousto-fluidic device with a half-circular microchannel to overcome the limitations associated with rectangular microchannels and achieve residue-free microparticle manipulation.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yong Wang, Qian Zhang, Ran Tao, Jin Xie, Pep Canyelles-Pericas, Hamdi Torun, Julien Reboud, Glen McHale, Linzi E. Dodd, Xin Yang, Jingting Luo, Qiang Wu, YongQing Fu
Summary: The performance of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin-film surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices on flexible and bendable thin aluminum (Al) foils/sheets with various thicknesses was explored in this study. Theoretical calculations show that bending under strain levels up to 3000 mu epsilon causes minimal frequency shift and amplitude change, maintaining acoustofluidic performance. The study identified the optimal thickness range of the Al sheet for efficient microfluidic actuation and significant deformation of the substrate, providing a guide for device design. Efficient liquid transportation across a wide range of substrate geometries was demonstrated using a 200 mu m thick Al sheet SAW device.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
Erfan Taatizadeh, Arash Dalili, Pamela Ines Rellstab-Sanchez, Hamed Tahmooressi, Adithya Ravishankara, Nishat Tasnim, Homayoun Najjaran, Isaac T. S. Li, Mina Hoorfar
Summary: Acoustofluidics is an effective and novel method for cellular and particle separation and purification, offering advantages over traditional approaches. This study utilized two-dimensional numerical simulations to optimize platform design for improved separation efficiency and reproducible experimental outcomes.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tao Peng, Mingyong Zhou, Shuai Yuan, Bingyan Jiang
Summary: This study demonstrates the application of bubble manipulation in lab-on-chip devices for particle manipulation. By utilizing surface tension and oscillating bubbles, particles can be focused, trapped, extracted, and enriched in a contact-free and continuous manner. The proposed bubble trapping method shows potential for broader applications in chemical, biology, and engineering fields.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaoguang Lu, Ye Ai
Summary: A centrifuge-free and automatic cell wash platform, Puriogen, has been developed for efficient cell purification and has broad applications in cell preparation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Minhui Liang, Jianwei Zhong, Ye Ai
Summary: Cellular mechanical properties play a significant role in cell state and health. Microfluidic mechanical phenotyping methods are promising tools that can address the limitations of traditional approaches. This study comprehensively compares two types of microfluidic cellular mechanical phenotyping methods and provides important findings.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Li Liang, Xuejia Hu, Yang Shi, Shukun Zhao, Qinghao Hu, Minhui Liang, Ye Ai
Summary: This paper introduces a novel optofluidic method for fabricating tunable liquid microlens arrays (MLAs) and demonstrates their ability to achieve tunable focusing and high-quality imaging. The focal length of the MLAs can be adjusted by changing the refractive index of the liquid droplets, showing promising opportunities for various applications.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jianwei Zhong, Qiang Tang, Minhui Liang, Ye Ai
Summary: This article proposes a microfluidic high-throughput impedance cytometry using a unique coplanar electrode configuration, which eliminates height-dependent sensitivity variation and enables accurate electrical cell profiling. The proposed technology can accurately classify and quantify both leukocytes and erythrocytes, offering red blood cell indices for diagnosis.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hong Yee Low, Chitrakala Ramasamy
Summary: Trigger-responsive surfaces with multiple surface properties can be achieved through surface morphological changes. This study reports the synergy between polymer blend formulation and thermal nanoimprinting process to achieve multiple micro-topography memories.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
William Sean Harley, Kirill Kolesnik, Mingxin Xu, Daniel Edward Heath, David John Collins
Summary: This work demonstrates a method to generate designed and highly localized acoustic fields using 3D resonant mass-spring microstructures, enabling rapid and spatially defined controllable micromanipulation. This sub-wavelength, 3D acoustofluidic approach has potential applications in sample preparation, cell analysis, and diagnostics.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingxin Xu, William S. Harley, Zhichao Ma, Peter V. S. Lee, David J. Collins
Summary: Acoustic metasurfaces with complex 3D structures complicate their fabrication and applicability to higher frequencies, but an ultrathin metasurface approach utilizing planarized micropillars in a discretized phase array is demonstrated here. This subwavelength metasurface can be easily produced via a single-step etching process and is suitable for megahertz-scale applications. The flexibility of this approach is further demonstrated in the production of complex acoustic patterns via acoustic holography. This metasurface approach, combined with predictive models, has broad potential for robust, high-frequency acoustic manipulation in various applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Minhui Liang, Qiang Tang, Jianwei Zhong, Ye Ai
Summary: Microfluidics provides a powerful platform for biological analysis by precisely manipulating fluids and microparticles. The imaging and impedance cell analyzer (IM2Cell) introduced here combines single cell level impedance analysis and hydrodynamic mechanical phenotyping, demonstrating multi-stress level mechanical phenotyping capabilities. IM2Cell can characterize cell diameter, deformability responses, and electrical properties, providing high-dimensional information about subcellular components. It has been validated for different cell lines and shows potential for deformability studies of PBMC subpopulations.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianwei Zhong, Minhui Liang, Ye Ai
Summary: Co-encapsulation of bead carriers and biological cells in microfluidics has become a powerful technique for various biological assays in single-cell genomics and drug screening. However, current co-encapsulation approaches limit the effective throughput due to a trade-off between cell/bead pairing rate and probability of multiple cells in individual droplets. The DUPLETS system is reported to overcome this problem by differentiating the encapsulated content in individual droplets and sorting out targeted droplets via a combined screening of mechanical and electrical characteristics.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jianwei Zhong, Minhui Liang, Qiang Tang, Ye Ai
Summary: By introducing a label-free selectable cell quantity encapsulation in droplets sorting system, the purity and throughput of single-cell droplets can be improved. This system combines electrical impedance based screening with biocompatible acoustic sorting to achieve high efficiency and throughput while removing multi-cells and empty droplets.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiahong Chen, Jianwei Zhong, Yifu Chang, Yinning Zhou, Seok Hwee Koo, Thean Yen Tan, Hongtao Lei, Ye Ai
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global public health. A label-free electrical impedance-based microfluidic platform has been designed to expedite and streamline antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for clinical practice, with a rapid 2-minute AST assay at the single-bacterium level. This platform enables accurate analysis of bacterial viability and determination of antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kirill Kolesnik, Daniel Quang Le Pham, Jessica Fong, David John Collins
Summary: Researchers have found that a particle focusing spot in the center of a rotating fluid is formed by the secondary flow. The rotational velocity and the shape of the vessel significantly influence the particle's equilibrium position. This study demonstrates the formation of a single focusing spot in the center of the vessel and the repeatable formation of stable ring-shaped particle arrangements.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Him Cheng Wong, Shi Ke Ong, Erik Birgersson, Mei Chee Tan, Hong Yee Low
Summary: This paper introduces a hierarchically-arranged multilayer isoporous air filter, consisting of an ultrathin nanoporous active filtration layer and a microporous support layer. By designing and fabricating microscale spacer structures, a gap was created between the nanoporous and microporous membranes, maximizing airflow and reducing pressure drop across the membrane.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kirill Kolesnik, Philipp Segeritz, Daniel J. Scott, Vijay Rajagopal, David J. Collins
Summary: Acoustofluidic devices can manipulate particles and cells in arbitrary configurations at the microscale without complex patterning. This approach is enabling for cell studies and tissue engineering applications.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jiahong Chen, Jianwei Zhong, Hongtao Lei, Ye Ai
Summary: This study presents a novel microfluidic electrical impedance-based multidimensional single-bacterium profiling system that can detect bacteria in a wide concentration range and accurately differentiate their viability and gram types. The system utilizes multi-frequency impedance quantification to analyze the size, concentration, and membrane impedance of bacteria in a single flow-through interrogation. The system has been demonstrated to have a wide bacterial counting range and can rapidly and accurately discriminate the viability and gram types of bacteria in a label-free manner.