Socket with built-in valves for the interconnection of microfluidic chips to macro constituents

This paper reports a prototype for a standard connector between a microfluidic chip and the macro world. This prototype demonstrate a fully functioning socket for a microchip to access the outside world by means of fluids, data signals and energy supply. It supports up to 10 channels for the input and output of liquids or gases, as well as compressed air or vacuum lines for pneumatic power lines. The socket has built-in valves for each flow channel. It also contains 28 pins for the connection of electrical signals and power. Built-in valves make it possible to control the flow in each channel independently. A chip ( 11.0 x 11.0 x 0.9 mm) can be mounted into or dismounted from the socket with one touch. The fluidic connectors of the socket are designed to contact vertically on the top of chip. And the electrical connectors (the spring array) of that physically support the chip and contact lead pads at the bottom of chip. No adhesives or solders are used at any contact points. The pressure limit for the connection of working fluids was 0.2 MPa and the current limit for the electrical connections was 1 A. This socket supports both serial and parallel processing applications. It exhibits great potential for developing microfluidic systems efficiently.     

Numerical analysis of a rapid magnetic microfluidic mixer

This paper presents a detailed numerical investigation of the novel active microfluidic mixer proposed by Wen et al. (Electrophoresis 2009, 30, 4179-4186). This mixer uses an electromagnet driven by DC or AC power to induce transient interactive flows between a water-based ferrofluid and DI water. Experimental results clearly demonstrate the mixing mechanism. In the presence of the electromagnet's magnetic field, the magnetic nanoparticles create a body force vector that acts on the mixed fluid. Numerical simulations show that this magnetic body force causes the ferrofluid to expand significantly and uniformly toward miscible water. The magnetic force also produces many extremely fine finger structures along the direction of local magnetic field lines at the interface in both upstream and downstream regions of the microchannel when the external steady magnetic strength (DC power actuation) exceeds 30 Oe (critical magnetic Peclet number Pe(m),cr = 2870). This study is the first to analyze these pronounced finger patterns numerically, and the results are in good agreement with the experimental visualization of Wen et al. (Electrophoresis 2009, 30, 4179-4186). The large interfacial area that accompanies these fine finger structures and the dominant diffusion effects occurring around the circumferential regions of fingers significantly enhance the mixing performance. The mixing ratio can be as high as 95% within 2.0 s. at a distance of 3.0 mm from the mixing channel inlet when the applied peak magnetic field supplied by the DC power source exceeds 60 Oe. This study also presents a sample implementation of AC power actuation in a numerical simulation, an experimental benchmark, and a simulation of DC power actuation with the same peak magnetic strength. The simulated flow structures of the AC power actuation agree well with the experimental visualization, and are similar to those produced by DC power. The AC and DC power actuated flow fields exhibited no significant differences. This numerical study suggests approaches to maximize the performance of the proposed rapid magnetic microfluidic mixer, and confirms its exciting potential for use in lab-on-a-chip systems.     

Field-effect flow control in a polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidic system.

The application of the field-effect for direct control of electroosmosis in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic system, constructed on a silicon wafer with a 2.0 microm electrically insulating layer of silicon dioxide, is demonstrated. This microfluidic system consists of a 2.0 cm open microchannel fabricated on a PDMS slab, which can reversibly adhere to the silicon wafer to form a hybrid microfluidic device. Aside from mechanically serving as a robust bottom substrate to seal the channel and support the microfluidic system, the silicon wafer is exploited to achieve field-effect flow control by grounding the semiconductive silicon medium. When an electric field is applied through the channel, a radial electric potential gradient is created across the silicon dioxide layer that allows for direct control of the zeta potential and the resulting electroosmotic flow (EOF). By configuring this microfluidic system with two power supplies at both ends of the microchannel, the applied electric potentials can be varied for manipulating the polarity and the magnitude of the radial electric potential gradient across the silicon dioxide layer. At the same time, the longitudinal potential gradient through the microchannel, which is used to induce EOF, is held constant. The results of EOF control in this hybrid microfluidic system are presented for phosphate buffer at pH 3 and pH 5. It is also demonstrated that EOF control can be performed at higher solution pH of 6 and 7.4 by modifying the silicon wafer surface with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) prior to assembly of the hybrid microfluidic system. Results of EOF control from this study are compared with those reported in the literature involving the use of other microfluidic devices under comparable solution conditions.     

Distance versus Capillary Flow Dynamics-Based Detection Methods on a Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device (μPAD)

In recent years, there has been high interest in paper-based microfluidic sensors or microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) towards low-cost, portable, and easy-to-use sensing for chemical and biological targets. μPAD allows spontaneous liquid flow without any external or internal pumping, as well as an innate filtration capability. Although both optical (colorimetric and fluorescent) and electrochemical detection have been demonstrated on μPADs, several limitations still remain, such as the need for additional equipment, vulnerability to ambient lighting perturbation, and inferior sensitivity. Herein, alternative detection methods on μPADs are reviewed to resolve these issues, including relatively well studied distance-based measurements and the newer capillary flow dynamics-based method. Detection principles, assay performance, strengths, and weaknesses are explained for these methods, along with their potential future applications towards point-of-care medical diagnostics and other field-based applications.     

Ionic conductance of nanopores in microscale analysis systems: where microfluidics meets nanofluidics

In this tutorial review we illustrate the origin and dependence on various system parameters of the ionic conductance that exists in discrete nanochannels as well as in nanoporous separation and preconcentration units contained as hybrid configurations, membranes, packed beds, or monoliths in microscale liquid phase analysis systems. A particular complexity arises as external electrical fields are superimposed on internal chemical and electrical potential gradients for tailoring molecular transport. It is demonstrated that the variety of geometries in which the microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces are realized share common, fundamental features of coupled mass and charge transport, but that phenomena behind the key steps in a particular application can be significantly tuned, depending on the morphology of a material. Thus, the understanding of morphology-related transport in internal and external electrical potential gradients is critical to the performance of a device. This addresses a variety of geometries (slits, channels, filters, membranes, random or regular networks of pores, etc.) and applications, e. g., the gating, sensing, preconcentration, and separation in multifunctional miniaturized devices. Inherently coupled mass and charge transport through ion-permselective (charge-selective) microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces is analyzed with a stepwise-added complexity and discussed with respect to the morphology of the charge-selective spatial domains. Within this scenario, the electrostatics and electrokinetics in microfluidic and nanofluidic channels, as well as the electrohydrodynamics evolving at microfluidic/nanofluidic interfaces, where microfluidics meets nanofluidics, define the platform of central phenomena.     

An inkjet-printed microfluidic device for liquid-liquid extraction

A microfluidic device for liquid-liquid extraction was quickly produced using an office inkjet printer. An advantage of this method is that normal end users, who are not familiar with microfabrication, can produce their original microfluidic devices by themselves. In this method, the printer draws a line on a hydrophobic and oil repellent surface using hydrophilic ink. This line directs a fluid, such as water or xylene, to form a microchannel along the printed line. Using such channels, liquid-liquid extraction was successfully performed under concurrent and countercurrent flow conditions.     

单级高压微流量电渗泵的研究

设计了一种高压微流量电渗泵。泵体主要由高压电源、电渗柱、毛细通道、导电空心电极以及气泡去除器、压力传感器等构成。单级电渗泵可以给出0～20MPa范围的输出压力和nL～μL级输出流量。输出压强和输出流量取决于电压、填充柱阻力和流体性质。     

Dielectrophoretic separation of microalgae cells in ballast water in a microfluidic chip

The composition of the ship's ballast water is complex and contains a large number of microalgae cells, bacteria, microplastics, and other microparticles. To increase the accuracy and efficiency of detection of the microalgae cells in ballast water, a new microfluidic chip for continuous separation of microalgae cells based on alternating current dielectrophoresis was proposed. In this microfluidic chip, one piece of 3‐dimensional electrode is embedded on one side and eight discrete electrodes are arranged on the other side of the microchannel. An insulated triangular structure between electrodes is designed for increasing the inhomogeneity of the electric field distribution and enhancing the dielectrophoresis (DEP) force. A sheath flow is designed to focus the microparticles near the electrode, so as to increase the suffered DEP force and improve separation efficiency. To demonstrate the performance of the microfluidic separation chip, we developed two species of microalgae cells (Platymonas and Closterium) and a kind of microplastics to be used as test samples. Analyses of the related parameters and separation experiments by our designed microfluidic chip were then conducted. The results show that the presented method can separate the microalgae cells from the mixture efficiently, and this is the first time to separate two or more species of microalgae cells in a microfluidic chip by using negative and positive DEP force simultaneously, and moreover it has some advantages including simple operation, high efficiency, low cost, and small size and has great potential in on‐site pretreatment of ballast water.     

A low cost point-of-care viscous sample preparation device for molecular diagnosis in the developing world; an example of microfluidic origami

The lab-on-a-chip concept has led to several point-of-care (POC) diagnostic microfluidic platforms. However, few of these can process raw samples for molecular diagnosis and fewer yet are suited for use in a resource-limited setting without permanent electrical infrastructure. We present here a very low cost paper microfluidic device for POC extraction of bacterial DNA from raw viscous samples--a challenge for conventional microfluidic platforms. This is an example of "microfluidic origami" in that the system is activated by folding; demonstrated here is room temperature cell lysis and DNA extraction from pig mucin (simulating sputum) spiked with E. coli without the use of external power. The microfluidic origami device features dry reagent storage and rehydration of the lysis buffer. We demonstrate DNA extraction from samples with a bacterial load as low as 33 CFU ml(-1). Extraction times, starting from the raw sample, have been optimized to about 1.5 h without the use of external power, or to within 1 h using an oven or a heater block. The fabrication of this paper microfluidic device can be translated into high volume production in the developing world without the need for a semiconductor clean room or a microfabrication facility. The sample preparation can be performed with the addition of just the sample, water, ethanol and elute buffer to the device, thus reducing chemical hazards during transport and handling.     

Lattice Boltzmann model of microfluidics in the presence of external forces

We present here a lattice Boltzmann model in the presence of external force fields to describe electrokinetic microfluidic phenomena and consider pressure as the only external force to drive liquid flow. Our results from a 9-bit square lattice Boltzmann model are in good agreement with recent experimental data in a pressure-driven microchannel flow that could not be fully described by electrokinetic theory. The differences between the predicted and the experimental Reynolds numbers from pressure gradients are well within 5%. Results suggest that the lattice Boltzmann model described here is an effective computational tool for predicting the more complex microfluidic systems that might be problematic using conventional methods.     

Microfluidic electronics

Microfluidics, a field that has been well-established for several decades, has seen extensive applications in the areas of biology, chemistry, and medicine. However, it might be very hard to imagine how such soft microfluidic devices would be used in other areas, such as electronics, in which stiff, solid metals, insulators, and semiconductors have previously dominated. Very recently, things have radically changed. Taking advantage of native properties of microfluidics, advances in microfluidics-based electronics have shown great potential in numerous new appealing applications, e.g. bio-inspired devices, body-worn healthcare and medical sensing systems, and ergonomic units, in which conventional rigid, bulky electronics are facing insurmountable obstacles to fulfil the demand on comfortable user experience. Not only would the birth of microfluidic electronics contribute to both the microfluidics and electronics fields, but it may also shape the future of our daily life. Nevertheless, microfluidic electronics are still at a very early stage, and significant efforts in research and development are needed to advance this emerging field. The intention of this article is to review recent research outcomes in the field of microfluidic electronics, and address current technical challenges and issues. The outlook of future development in microfluidic electronic devices and systems, as well as new fabrication techniques, is also discussed. Moreover, the authors would like to inspire both the microfluidics and electronics communities to further exploit this newly-established field.     

A touch-and-go lipid wrapping technique in microfluidic channels for rapid fabrication of multifunctional envelope-type gene delivery nanodevices

Multifunctional envelope-type gene delivery nanodevices (MENDs) are promising non-viral vectors for gene therapy. Though MENDs remain strong in prolonged exposure to blood circulation, have low immunogenic response, and are suitable for gene targeting, their fabrication requires labor-intensive processes. In this work, a novel approach has been developed for rapid fabrication of MENDs by a touch-and-go lipid wrapping technique in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/glass microfluidic device. The MEND was fabricated on a glass substrate by introduction of a condensed plasmid DNA core into microfluidic channels that have multiple lipid bilayer films. The principle of the MEND fabrication in the microfluidic channels is based on electrostatic interaction between the condensed plasmid DNA cores and the coated lipid bilayer films. The constructed MEND was collected off-chip and characterized by dynamic light scattering. The MEND was constructed within 5 min with a narrow size distribution centered around 200 nm diameter particles. The size of the MEND showed strong dependence on flow velocity of the condensed plasmid DNA core in the microfluidic channels, and thus, could be controlled to provide the optimal size for medical applications. This approach was also proved possible for fabrication of a MEND in multiple channels at the same time. This on-chip fabrication of the MEND was very simple, rapid, convenient, and cost-effective compared with conventional methods. Our results strongly indicated that MENDs fabricated with our microfluidic device have a good potential for medical use. Moreover, MENDs fabricated by this microfluidic device have a great potential for clinical use because the devices are autoclavable and all the fabrication steps can be completed inside closed microfluidic channels without any external contamination.     

Synthesis of agar microparticles using temperature-controlled microfluidic devices for Cordyceps militaris cultivation

A temperature-controlled microfluidic approach was developed for fabricating monodispersed agar beads with the potential to be a brand-new strategy for cultivating Cordyceps militaris. The proposed microfluidic system features a circulating water bath with precise temperature control (temperature deviation ?T<0.1°C). This device holds the promise of allowing us to develop a temperature-controlled system, characterized as simple, low cost, and easy to set up and use. The size-controllable agar beads were achieved by utilizing microfluidic emulsification in the cross-junction channel under temperature-controlled conditions. The flow conditions of the dispersed/continuous phases were adjusted to generate various sizes of agar beads. Our results show that the microparticles produced are as small as 176 μm with a 95% particle size distribution within 5 μm. The prepared agar microparticles performed well as a substrate for the cultivation of C. militaris. The proposed method could also be applied for encapsulating biomaterials, enzymes, drugs, catalysts, and nanoparticles into agar beads for biomedical applications.     

Acoustically enriching, large-depth aquatic sampler

In marine biology, it is useful to collect water samples when exploring the distribution and diversity of microbial communities in underwater environments. In order to provide, e.g., a miniaturized submersible explorer with the capability of collecting microorganisms, a compact sample enrichment system has been developed. The sampler is 30 mm long, 15 mm wide, and just a few millimetres thick. Integrated in a multilayer steel, polyimide and glass construction is a microfluidic channel with piezoelectric transducers, where microorganism and particle samples are collected and enriched, using acoustic radiation forces for gentle and labelless trapping. High-pressure, latchable valves, using paraffin as the actuation material, at each end of the microfluidic channel keep the collected sample pristine. A funnel structure raised above the surface of the device directs water into the microfluidic channel as the vehicle propels itself or when there is a flow across its hull. The valves proved leak proof to a pressure of 2.1 MPa for 19 hours and momentary pressures of 12.5 MPa, corresponding to an ocean depth of more than 1200 metres. By reactivating the latching mechanism, small leakages through the valves could be remedied, which could thus increase the leak-less operational time. Fluorescent particles, 1.9 μm in diameter, were successfully trapped in the microfluidic channel at flow rates up to 15 μl min(-1), corresponding to an 18.5 cm s(-1) external flow rate of the sampler. In addition, liquid-suspended GFP-marked yeast cells were successfully trapped.     

Electrokinetic microfluidic phenomena by a lattice Boltzmann model using a modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation with an excluded volume effect

A lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) for electrokinetic microfluidics recently proposed by us [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 263, 144 (2003); Langmuir 19, 3041 (2003)] is employed by consideration of a modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation including an excluded volume effect. In our study, pressure is considered as the only external force for liquid flow. As commonly used, the Poisson-Boltzmann equation assumes only point charge, the predicted microfluidic phenomena of KCl and LiCl electrolyte solutions are theoretically the same; these phenomena, however, have been found to be experimentally different. Our LBM in conjunction with the modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation are capable of explaining this discrepancy and the results are in good agreement with recent experimental data for KCl and LiCl electrolyte solutions in pressure-driven microchannel flow, suggesting that our proposed LBM can be employed to predict the more complex microfluidic systems that might be problematic using conventional methods and electrokinetic models.     

A water-activated pump for portable microfluidic applications

An on-chip micropump for portable microfluidic applications was investigated using mathematical modeling and experimental testing. This micropump is activated by the addition of water, via a dropper, to ionic polymer particles that swell due to osmotic effects when wetted. The resulting particle volume increase deflects a membrane, forcing a separate fluid from an adjacent reservoir. The micropump components, along with the microfluidic components, are fabricated using the contact liquid photolithographic polymerization (CLiPP) method. The maximum flow rate achieved with this pump is 17 microL per minute per mg of dry polymer particles of 355-425 microm in diameter. The pump flow rate may be controlled by adjusting the particle size and amount, the membrane properties, and the channel dimensions. The experimental results demonstrate good agreement with an analytical model describing the particle swelling and its coupling with resistive forces from the bending membrane, viscous flow in the microchannel, and interfacial effects. Key features of this micropump are that it can be placed directly on a microdevice, and that it requires only a small amount of water and no external power supply to function. Therefore, this pumping system is useful for applications in which a highly portable device is required.     

A tunable 3D optofluidic waveguide dye laser via two centrifugal Dean flow streams

This paper presents a tunable optofluidic waveguide dye laser utilizing two centrifugal Dean flows. The centrifugal Dean flow increases the light confinement of the dye laser by shaping a three-dimensional (3D) liquid waveguide from curved microchannels. The active medium with the laser dye is dissolved in the liquid core and pumped with an external pump laser to produce stimulated emission. The laser's Fabry-Pérot microcavity is formed with a pair of aligned gold-coated fiber facets to amplify the fluorescent emission. The advantage of the 3D optofluidic waveguide dye laser is its higher efficiency, thus to obtain lasing at a reduced threshold (60%) with higher output energy. The demonstrated slope efficiency is at least 3-fold higher than its traditional two-dimensional equivalent. In addition, the laser output energy can be varied on demand by tuning the flow rates of the two flows. This technique provides a versatile platform for high potential applications microfluidic biosensor and bioanalysis.     

Switchable Hydrophobic Valve for Controlled Microfluidic Processing

A simple microfluidic valve, without any moving parts, is presented that can control solution flow on demand in microchannels of many different materials using a low‐power electric signal. Many independently operating valves can easily be integrated into complex microfluidic systems. The valve consists of a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) formed on a platinum electrode that is incorporated directly in the microchannel. The normally‐on valve stops the solution flow due to a hydrophobic SAM on the electrode surface. The solution is allowed to pass the valve by applying a potential to the electrode, which removes the SAM due to reductive desorption. The valve operation is highly stable and has switching times of the order of 1 s. The valve is ideal for controlled solution manipulation in integrated micro‐analytical systems and autonomous microfluidic systems.     

Towards a fast, high specific and reliable discrimination of bacteria on strain level by means of SERS in a microfluidic device

The interest in a fast, high specific and reliable detection method for bacteria identification is increasing. We will show that the application of vibrational spectroscopy is feasible for the validation of bacteria in microfluidic devices. For this purpose, reproducible and specific spectral pattern as well as the establishment of large databases are essential for statistical analysis. Therefore, short recording times are beneficial concerning the time aspect of fast identification. We will demonstrate that the requirements can be fulfilled by measuring ultrasonic busted bacteria by means of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip based SERS. With the applied sample preparation, high specificity and reproducibility of the spectra are achieved. Taking advantage of the SERS enhancement, the spectral recording time is reduced to 1 s and a database of 11,200 spectra is established for a model system E. coli including nine different strains. The validation of the bacteria on strain level is achieved accomplishing SVM accuracies of 92%. Within this contribution the potential of our approach of bacterial identification for future application is discussed, focusing on the time-benefit and the combination with other microfluidic applications.