Dielectrophoresis for manipulation of micro/nano particles in microfluidic systems

Dielectrophoretic (DEP) force is exerted when a neutral particle is polarized in a non-uniform electric field, and depends on the dielectric properties of the particle and the suspending medium. The integration of DEP and microfluidic systems offers numerous applications for the separation, trapping, assembling, transportation, and characterization of micro/nano particles. This article reviews the applications of DEP forces in microfluidic systems. It presents the theory of dielectrophoresis, different configurations, and the applications of such systems for particle manipulation and device fabrication.     

Dielectrophoresis for the manipulation of nanobioparticles

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a nondestructive electrokinetic mechanism with great potential for the manipulation of bioparticles. DEP is the movement of particles induced by polarization effects in nonuniform electric fields. Since the 1960s, this technique has been successfully used for the manipulation of microbioparticles, such as microorganisms. Moreover, due to the advances in microfabrication techniques, that allowed progressively smaller microstructures to be constructed, DEP can now be used for the manipulation of nanobioparticles. The first research studies on the DEP of nanobioparticles started in the 1990s. Since then, many research groups have carried out outstanding work with DEP of nanobioparticles such as macromolecules, virus, and spores. However, the need of a critical report that integrates these findings is evident. The aim of the present review is to depict the state-of-the-art on the use of DEP for the separation of nanobioparticles and the potential trends of novel applications of this technique. This review compiles and analyzes the significant findings obtained by many researchers. This publication is intended to provide the reader with state-of-the-art information on many research studies focused on DEP to handle nanobioparticles.     

Recent advances in direct current electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications

Microfluidic devices have been extensively used to achieve precise transport and placement of a variety of particles for numerous applications. A range of force fields have thus far been demonstrated to control the motion of particles in microchannels. Among them, electric field‐driven particle manipulation may be the most popular and versatile technique because of its general applicability and adaptability as well as the ease of operation and integration into lab‐on‐a‐chip systems. This article is aimed to review the recent advances in direct current (DC) (and as well DC‐biased alternating current) electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications. The electric voltages are applied through electrodes that are positioned into the distant channel‐end reservoirs for a concurrent transport of the suspending fluid and manipulation of the suspended particles. The focus of this review is upon the cross‐stream nonlinear electrokinetic motions of particles in the linear electroosmotic flow of fluids, which enable the diverse control of particle transport in microchannels via the wall‐induced electrical lift and/or the insulating structure‐induced dielectrophoretic force.     

SERS decoding of micro gold shells moving in microfluidic systems

In this study, in situ surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) decoding was demonstrated in microfluidic chips using novel thin micro gold shells modified with Raman tags. The micro gold shells were fabricated using electroless gold plating on PMMA beads with diameter of 15 μm. These shells were sophisticatedly optimized to produce the maximum SERS intensity, which minimized the exposure time for quick and safe decoding. The shell surfaces produced well‐defined SERS spectra even at an extremely short exposure time, 1 ms, for a single micro gold shell combined with Raman tags such as 2‐naphthalenethiol and benzenethiol. The consecutive SERS spectra from a variety of combinations of Raman tags were successfully acquired from the micro gold shells moving in 25 μm deep and 75 μm wide channels on a glass microfluidic chip. The proposed functionalized micro gold shells exhibited the potential of an on‐chip microfluidic SERS decoding strategy for micro suspension array.     

Size effect on thermodynamic parameters for the peanut-like CaMoO4 micro/nano reaction systems

Peanut-like CaMoO₄ micro/nano structures with three different sizes were harvested by a simple reverse-microemulsion method at room temperature. Employing synthesized micro/nano CaMoO₄ and HCl as reaction systems, thermodynamic parameters such as standard molar enthalpy of reaction Δ_r H _m ^θ , standard molar Gibbs free energy of activation Δ _r ^≠ G _m ^θ , standard molar enthalpy of activation Δ _r ^≠ H _m ^θ , and standard molar entropy of activation Δ _r ^≠ S _m ^θ were successfully acquired for the first time by in situ microcalorimetry. Furthermore, change regularities of the thermodynamic parameters for the micro/nano reaction systems were obtained and discussed. It demonstrated that size effect has significant influence on thermodynamic parameters of micro/nano material reaction systems.     

Dielectrophoresis switching with vertical sidewall electrodes for microfluidic flow cytometry

A novel dielectrophoresis switching with vertical electrodes in the sidewall of microchannels for multiplexed switching of objects has been designed, fabricated and tested. With appropriate electrode design, lateral DEP force can be generated so that one can dynamically position particulates along the width of the channel. A set of interdigitated electrodes in the sidewall of the microchannels is used for the generation of non-uniform electrical fields to generate negative DEP forces that repel beads/cells from the sidewalls. A countering DEP force is generated from another set of electrodes patterned on the opposing sidewall. These lateral negative DEP forces can be adjusted by the voltage and frequency applied. By manipulating the coupled DEP forces, the particles flowing through the microchannel can be positioned at different equilibrium points along the width direction and continue to flow into different outlet channels. Experimental results for switching biological cells and polystyrene microbeads to multiple outlets (up to 5) have been achieved. This novel particle switching technique can be integrated with other particle detection components to enable microfluidic flow cytometry systems.     

Integrated cell manipulation system--CMOS/microfluidic hybrid

Manipulation of biological cells using a CMOS/microfluidic hybrid system is demonstrated. The hybrid system starts with a custom-designed CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) chip fabricated in a semiconductor foundry. A microfluidic channel is post-fabricated on top of the CMOS chip to provide biocompatible environments. The motion of individual biological cells that are tagged with magnetic beads is directly controlled by the CMOS chip that generates microscopic magnetic field patterns using an on-chip array of micro-electromagnets. Furthermore, the CMOS chip allows high-speed and programmable reconfiguration of the magnetic fields, substantially increasing the manipulation capability of the hybrid system. Extending from previous work that verified the concept of the hybrid system, this paper reports a set of manipulation experiments with biological cells, which further confirms the advantage of the hybrid approach. To enhance the biocompatibility of the system, the microfluidic channel is redesigned and the temperature of the device is monitored by on-chip sensors. Combining microelectronics and microfluidics, the CMOS/microfluidic hybrid system presents a new model for a cell manipulation platform in biological and biomedical applications.     

Non-equilibrium electrokinetic micro/nano fluidic mixer

We propose a new type of micro/nano fluidic mixer based on non-equilibrium electrokinetics and demonstrate its mixing performance. We fabricate the device with two-step reactive ion etching, one for nanochannels and one for microchannels. Mixing is achieved by strong vortex structures formed near the micro/nano channel interface. We expect the proposed device to be beneficial in the development of micro total analysis systems, since it is simple in its design with minimal fabrication complications.     

Size effect on thermodynamic properties of CaMoO4 micro/nano materials and reaction systems

CaMoO₄ micro/nano hollow spheres with three different sizes were prepared via a reverse-microemulsion route at room temperature. Through designing a novel thermochemical cycle, the relationship between thermodynamic properties of nano CaMoO₄ and bulk CaMoO₄ was built. Combined with in situ microcalorimetry, change regularities for the thermodynamic properties of the prepared CaMoO₄ micro/nano materials and reaction systems were obtained. The results reveal that size effect has significant influence on thermodynamic properties of micro/nano materials and reaction systems. Along with the size decreasing, the standard molar enthalpy, standard molar Gibbs free energy and standard molar entropy of reaction of micro/nano reaction systems decreased, but the standard molar enthalpy of formation, standard molar Gibbs free energy of formation and standard molar entropy of micro/nano materials increased.     

Multiplexing microelectrodes for dielectrophoretic manipulation and electrical impedance measurement of single particles and cells in a microfluidic device

This work presents a microfluidic device, which was patterned with (i) microstructures for hydrodynamic capture of single particles and cells, and (ii) multiplexing microelectrodes for selective release via negative dielectrophoretic (nDEP) forces and electrical impedance measurements of immobilized samples. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to investigate the fluidic profiles within the microchannels during the hydrodynamic capture of particles and evaluate the performance of single‐cell immobilization. Results showed uniform distributions of velocities and pressure differences across all eight trapping sites. The hydrodynamic net force and the nDEP force acting on a 6 μm sphere were calculated in a 3D model. Polystyrene beads with difference diameters (6, 8, and 10 μm) and budding yeast cells were employed to verify multiple functions of the microfluidic device, including reliable capture and selective nDEP‐release of particles or cells and sensitive electrical impedance measurements of immobilized samples. The size of immobilized beads and the number of captured yeast cells can be discriminated by analyzing impedance signals at 1 MHz. Results also demonstrated that yeast cells can be immobilized at single‐cell resolution by combining the hydrodynamic capture with impedance measurements and nDEP‐release of unwanted samples. Therefore, the microfluidic device integrated with multiplexing microelectrodes potentially offers a versatile, reliable, and precise platform for single‐cell analysis.     

The formation and production of nano and micro particles on clays under environmental-like conditions

Summary Metal ions are adsorbed in the interlayer space and on the edges of clay minerals, leading to the uniform distribution of metal ions on atomic scale. However, additional processes can be resulted in the formation of nano and micro particles in the interlayer space as well as on the outer surfaces. The formation of nano and micro particles on clay minerals under environmental conditions are discussed here in metal ions (manganese, lead, zinc, and silver ions)/bentonite systems. Two-dimensional nano layer is formed in the interlayer space by the oxidation of manganese ions under atmospheric conditions. Three-dimensional particles are formed on the surfaces initiating by the metal ion adsorption on the deprotonated edge sites. The formation of micro particles on the surface can also be followed by the redox reaction of metal ions.     

Single cell manipulation, analytics, and label-free protein detection in microfluidic devices for systems nanobiology

Single cell analytics for proteomic analysis is considered a key method in the framework of systems nanobiology which allows a novel proteomics without being subjected to ensemble-averaging, cell-cycle, or cell-population effects. We are currently developing a single cell analytical method for protein fingerprinting combining a structured microfluidic device with latest optical laser technology for single cell manipulation (trapping and steering), free-solution electrophoretical protein separation, and (label-free) protein detection. In this paper we report on first results of this novel analytical device focusing on three main issues. First, single biological cells were trapped, injected, steered, and deposited by means of optical tweezers in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device and consecutively lysed with SDS at a predefined position. Second, separation and detection of fluorescent dyes, amino acids, and proteins were achieved with LIF detection in the visible (VIS) (488 nm) as well as in the deep UV (266 nm) spectral range for label-free, native protein detection. Minute concentrations of 100 fM injected fluorescein could be detected in the VIS and a first protein separation and label-free detection could be achieved in the UV spectral range. Third, first analytical experiments with single Sf9 insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) in a tailored microfluidic device exhibiting distinct electropherograms of a green fluorescent protein-construct proved the validity of the concept. Thus, the presented microfluidic concept allows novel and fascinating single cell experiments for systems nanobiology in the future.     

银基微纳米半导体光催化应用研究进展

综述了银基微纳米半导体光催化应用研究进展.指出银基微纳米半导体在可见光辐照下表现出良好的光催化性能(光催化降解有机物或光解水制氢制氧),目前的研究主要集中在简单的含银化合物、含银的异质结构、含银的多金属氧化物和含银的固溶体这几类;并从光催化原理和能隙调节手段入手阐述了决定其光催化性能的因素.     

Hierarchical micro/nano porous silicon Li-ion battery anodes

A wet-chemical etching method is reported for the scale-up preparation of carbon-coated hierarchical micro/nano porous silicon powders as a Li-ion battery anode, which shows no capacity fading at 1500 mA h g(-1) in 50 charge/discharge cycles.     

Continuous microfluidic reactors for polymer particles

This article provides an overview of our work in the area of the synthesis of polymer particles in continuous microfluidic reactors. The method includes (a) the generation of highly monodisperse monomer droplets in a microfluidic flow-focusing device and (b) in-situ solidification of these droplets by means of photopolymerization. We discuss the effect of monomer properties on the emulsification process, the effect of the polymerization rate on the production of high-quality particles, the role of the material of the microfluidic device in droplet formation, and the synthesis of particles with different shapes and compositions. We also demonstrate the production of highly ordered arrays of polymer particles achieved by photopolymerization of the dynamic lattices of monomer droplets in microfluidic channels. The article is concluded with a summary of future research directions in the production of polymer colloids in microfluidic reactors.     

Design of a recursively-structured valveless device for microfluidic manipulation

A recursively-structured apparatus based on a pneumatic pumping structure has been investigated numerically and experimentally in the present study. For the T-connected channels, this apparatus demonstrated the ability to manipulate the liquid drop from a first channel to a second channel, while simultaneously preventing flow into the third channel. The microTAS research aimed at biochemical analysis miniaturization and integration has recently made explosive progress. However, there is still a considerable technical challenge in integrating these procedures into a multiple-step system. An important issue for this integration is microfluid management techniques. The microTAS method must be designed considering special transport mechanisms to move samples and reagents through the microchannels. The structure of this apparatus was simple and easily fabricated. Moreover, because there is a continuous airflow at the "outlet" during fluid manipulation, it is possible to avoid contamination of the air source similar to the "laminar flow hook" in biological experiments. Utilizing the concept of a recursive structure, one can easily design a device wherein more than three channels are included in the flow network, either intersecting in a single junction or in multiple junctions.     

Superhydrophobic surface based on micro/nano structured ZnO nanosheets for high-efficiency anticorrosion

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - There are two key factors in the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces. One is to have the appropriate micro/nano structure, and the other is to reduce...     

Hierarchical micro/nano structures of carbon composites as anodes for microbial fuel cells

We demonstrate the utility of hierarchical micro/nano structures of electrically conductive carbon composites as anodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). To construct the hierarchical structures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were directly grown on micro-porous graphite felts at high densities. Using the CNT-modified felts as anodes, power outputs from MFCs were increased ～7 fold compared to those with bare graphite-felt anodes. We also show that this power improvement is sustainable even in MFCs operated with naturally occurring microbial communities. These results suggest the wide utility of the hierarchical micro/nano structures of conductive carbon composites for bio-electrochemical processes.     

From nano to micro: synthesis and optical properties of homogeneous spheroidal gold particles and their superlattices

Iodide ions have been used as an additive to fabricate homogeneous gold spheres with a la carte dimensions, ranging from the nano- (50 nm) to the microscale (ca. 1 μm). Due to the high uniformity and surface functionalization of the produced materials, they undergo spontaneous assembly into organized superlattices upon solvent drying. Thus, optical properties of the particles including localized surface plasmon resonances and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) response, both in solution and organized into superlattices, are also reported.