Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Aleksei P. Iakovlev, Alexander S. Erofeev, Petr Gorelkin
Summary: This review discusses methods for controlling microfluidic flow with high accuracy using various strategies. The systems are divided into two groups - passive and active - based on their flow creation mechanisms. The operation principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each group are explained. The focus is on mechanical systems, which are of particular interest due to their precision flow control and autonomous operation. The integration of autonomous microfluidic systems with smartphones or single-board computers, as well as future trends and potential developments in the field, are also discussed.
Article
Biology
Tudor Petreus, Elaine Cadogan, Gareth Hughes, Aaron Smith, Venkatesh Pilla Reddy, Alan Lau, Mark James O'Connor, Susan Critchlow, Marianne Ashford, Lenka Oplustil O'Connor
Summary: Petreus et al. introduce a novel tumour-on-chip microfluidic system that mimics pharmacokinetic profiles of compounds on 3D tumour spheroids to evaluate their response to treatments, successfully predicting efficacy from in vivo studies and guiding drug dose and schedules for optimal efficacy while reducing the need for animal studies.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Leonard Mahlberg, Matthias Hermann, Hannah Ramsay, Timothy Salomons, Kevin Stamplecoskie, Richard D. Oleschuk
Summary: The research introduces a platform utilizing surface tension induced pumping and showcasing the potential for controlled pumping applications through laser micromachining for specific liquid volumes/droplets.
MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shitao Shen, Xiaofeng Qin, Haoqiang Feng, Shuting Xie, Zichuan Yi, Mingliang Jin, Guofu Zhou, Eser Metin Akinoglu, Paul Mulvaney, Lingling Shui
Summary: In this paper, an electromicrofluidic assembly platform (eMAP) is proposed and validated for achieving 3D colloidal assembly within water droplets. By using dielectrophoresis and (di)electrowetting effects, reconfigurable colloidal configurations can be observed and dynamically programmed. This platform allows designable chemical and physical anisotropies for functional materials and devices, and enables high throughput mass production of microcapsules and optoelectronic units.
Article
Biology
Giovanni Marco Nocera, Gaetano Viscido, Stefania Criscuolo, Simona Brillante, Fabrizia Carbone, Leopoldo Staiano, Sabrina Carrellal, Diego di Bernardo
Summary: Microfluidic-based cell culture allows for precise control of micro-environment, with broad potential applications. However, existing microfluidic systems are often designed for specific applications and require specialized equipment and expertise. In this study, we developed a versatile and user-friendly cell culture microfluidic platform called VersaLive, which can replace traditional cell culture formats, reducing costs and improving reproducibility across laboratories.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naoyuki Takahashi, Daisuke Yoshino, Ryuji Sugahara, Satomi Hirose, Kazuki Sone, Jean-Paul Rieu, Kenichi Funamoto
Summary: This study developed a microfluidic platform for reconstructing hypoxic vascular microenvironments, by simultaneously applying hypoxic stress and fluid shear stress. The results showed that under the simultaneous exposure to hypoxic stress and fluid shear stress, the migration velocity of endothelial cells increased and gradually decreased, reaching the lowest value. Meanwhile, the cells aligned and elongated in the flow direction, with enhanced expression of VE-cadherin and actin filament assembly. Therefore, this microfluidic platform is useful for investigating the dynamics of endothelial cells in vascular microenvironments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yujia Liu, Lawrence Kulinsky, Roya Shiri, Marc Madou
Summary: In this study, a novel method of inward pumping using elastic membranes was introduced to centrifugal microfluidic platforms, allowing the liquid to be returned from the periphery to the center of the disk. By controlling the disk's angular velocity and the fluidic resistance in two channels, efficient inward pumping was achieved, demonstrating enhanced fluid mixing and the utility for multi-step assays on the disk.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yvonne Kohl, Margit Biehl, Sarah Spring, Michelle Hesler, Vladimir Ogourtsov, Miomir Todorovic, Joshua Owen, Elisabeth Elje, Kristina Kopecka, Oscar Hernando Moriones, Neus G. Bastus, Peter Simon, Tibor Dubaj, Elise Runden-Pran, Victor Puntes, Nicola William, Hagen von Briesen, Sylvia Wagner, Nikil Kapur, Espen Mariussen, Andrew Nelson, Alena Gabelova, Maria Dusinska, Thomas Velten, Thorsten Knoll
Summary: Microfluidic technology provides a valuable tool for creating in vitro models that capture cellular and organ level responses for rapid and animal-free risk assessment of new chemicals and drugs. These cell-based devices allow high-throughput screening and flexible automation, reducing costs and reagent consumption due to miniaturization. The interconnected modules aim to simulate whole-body exposure and response, contributing to the replacement of animal testing in risk assessment studies in compliance with the 3Rs principles.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Li Li, Yun He, Qiang Xu, Ting Liu, Shaoyi Bei, Keqing Zheng, Jun Yang, Hongkang Wang, Michael K. H. Leung
Summary: In this study, a novel paper-based self-pumping MFC stack with potassium formate and hydrogen peroxide as the fuel and oxidant, respectively, was proposed. Passive liquid flow was achieved through capillary action, and a compact vertical stack structure was adopted to reduce costs. Experimental results showed significantly improved power output in the stack prototypes, which was attributed to enhanced capillary flows and reduced ohmic losses in the vertical stacking structure. Additionally, it was found that a loose microstructure of the paper wick contributed to enhanced mass transfer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nan Sethakorn, Erika Heninger, Matthew T. Breneman, Emma Recchia, Adeline B. Ding, David F. Jarrard, Peiman Hematti, David J. Beebe, David Kosoff
Summary: The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays crucial roles in tumor growth, immune evasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. However, the lack of suitable translational in vitro culture platforms has limited TME-focused research. In this study, a reconfigurable microfluidic platform, Stacks, is investigated for its potential in modeling TME and enabling integrated analysis of cell biology and function. The expanded capabilities of Stacks have important implications for enhancing clinical translation of pre-clinical TME studies and gaining novel insights into TME dynamics.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Sameh Sherif, Yehya H. Ghallab, Mohamed T. El-Wakad, Yehea Ismail
Summary: Dielectrophoresis force offers an effective way to control particles, particularly for cell manipulation and separation. It has been applied in cell sorting and drug development. Dielectrophoresis force is used in cell trapping, alignment, separation, and isolation of particles of different sizes, which have various biological applications.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Christopher Walsh, Saad G. Muttlak, Mohammadreza Sadeghi, Mohamed Missous
Summary: This work introduces a fully integrated miniature rectenna design that utilizes the unique ASPAT tunnel diode. The ASPAT provides temperature independence, zero bias, and high dynamic range for the rectifier. By integrating the antenna and rectifier on a single chip, impedance matching is achieved, eliminating the need for a matching network and saving space on the GaAs substrate. The miniaturization enabled by the GaAs material allows for economical fabrication and potential applications in medical implants. The design features a die size of 4 x 1.2 mm², achieving a maximum measured output voltage of 0.97 V and successful transmission of a 20 dBm single-tone 2.35 GHz signal at a distance of 5 cm from the rectenna.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Seokyoung Bang, Songhyun Lee, Kyeong Seob Hwang, Jongbaeg Kim, Nakwon Choi, Hong Nam Kim
Summary: This study developed a method for axotomy on a three-dimensional neuron-culture platform, which can accurately recapitulate central nervous system injuries. The damaged area could be filled and neurites could regenerate using this platform. Co-culture of astrocytes was also possible without affecting the alignment of axons. This open-access platform is expected to contribute to the development of treatment techniques for central nervous system injuries.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NANOBIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Enrique Azuaje-Hualde, Marian M. de Pancorbo, Fernando Benito-Lopez, Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts
Summary: This study proposes a low-cost and user-friendly paper microfluidic device for the detection of cell secreted VEGF. The device integrates a fluorescent VEGF biosensor into cellulose paper, enabling the detection of VEGF at low concentrations. It has the potential to be used in cell biology research, specifically for the detection of VEGF in the supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells culture plates.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Andreas Mollebjerg, Agata Zarebska, Henrik Bangso Nielsen, Lea Benedicte Skov Hansen, Sebastian R. Sorensen, Bozena Seredynska-Sobecka, Loreen O. Villacorte, Klaus Gori, Lorena Gonzalez Palmen, Rikke Louise Meyer
Summary: Biofouling is a widespread problem in industrial systems, such as reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units, where biofilms impede water flow. Enzymes have shown promise as non-damaging and environmentally friendly cleaning agents for biofilms, but identifying effective enzymes is challenging. To overcome this, a flexible screening platform was developed to directly evaluate enzyme treatment on fouled RO membranes. This platform identified enzymes, including proteases, lipases, DNase, cellulolytic enzymes, and pectin-degrading enzymes, that effectively degraded biofilms on RO membranes. The most effective enzyme formulations outperformed chemical cleaning agents, removing 45% of the biofilm compared to 0%-19% for chemicals (p <= 0.001), highlighting the potential of enzymes as replacements or complements to chemical cleaning. The screening platform proved to be a powerful tool for studying and combating biofilms in various applications.