Optimization of spin-valve parameters for magnetic bead trapping and manipulation

Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements were used to measure the switching characteristics of spin-valve (SV) arrays currently being developed to trap and release superparamagnetic beads within a fluid medium. The effect of SV size on switching observed by MOKE showed that a 1 μm×8 μm SV element was found to have optimal switching characteristics. MR measurements on a single 1 μm×8 μm SV switched with either an external applied magnetic field or a local magnetic field generated by an integrated write wire (current density ranging from 10⁶ to 10⁷ A/cm²) confirmed the MOKE findings. The 1 μm×8 μm SV low field switching was observed to be +8 and −2 mT with two stable states at zero field; the high field switching was observed to be −18 mT. The low switching fields and the large magnetic moment of the SV trap along with our observation of minimal magnetostatic effects for dense arrays are necessary design characteristics for high-force, “switchable-magnet,” microfluidic bead trap applications.     

Separation of proteins using a novel two-depth miniaturized free-flow electrophoresis device with multiple outlet fractionation channels

A novel free-flow electrophoresis glass chip design with two-depth etched structures for the separation and fractionation of proteins is presented. The microfluidic structures etched in two depths enhance the flow characteristics inside the miniaturized device. A novel nine-port outlet interface enables the fractionation of the separated analytes. The separation and focussing of a protein sample mixture demonstrated the ability of the new chip.     

A Rotary Polydimethylsiloxane‐Based Device for Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

A novel rotary channel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microchip with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is developed in our laboratory. The chip circular platinum thin‐film heaters and thermometers. Compared with other continuous‐flow PCR chips, the novel rotary channel and the circular heating arrangements in this chip make the loaded reagent mixture pass through three constant‐temperature zones in a very direct sequence, which avoids a melted sample's subjection to the extension temperature before reaching the annealing zone and improves the PCR yield effectively. Several experiments are performed to verify the ability of the device. The results show that the device achieves 25 cycles in 35 min with flow rate 3 µl/min compared to about 45 min in a standard batch PCR system.     

微流控芯片中磁珠表面免疫反应动力学研究

微流控芯片中磁珠作为固相载体的免疫分析得到了非常广泛的应用,了解磁珠表面动力学行为对于磁免疫分析技术的改进与提高具有重要意义。本文建立了一种实时监测微流控芯片中磁珠表面免疫反应的方法,探究了微流控芯片中流速和分析物浓度对磁珠表面偶联的小鼠IgG和溶液中Cy3标记的羊抗小鼠IgG反应动力学的影响,并获得相应的结合和解离速率常数,分别为7.9×104 L·mol-1·s-1,和1.7×10-4 s-1。     

Centrifugally-driven sample extraction, preconcentration and purification in microfluidic compact discs

Centrifugally-driven microfluidic compact discs (μ-CDs) have attracted significant interest within the analytical science community in the past decade, with the primary focus on the potential of such platforms for performing parallel and/or multiplex biological assays and further application in biomedical diagnostics. More recently, μ-CD-based devices were also applied to environmental analysis as platforms for multi-sample extraction and transportation, prior to off-disc analysis in the laboratory. This review critically summarizes recent developments in μ-CD platforms for sample extraction, preconcentration, fractionation and purification in bioanalytical and environmental applications. We also summarize the common methods employed in the fabrication of μ-CD platforms. Further, we discuss preparation of stationary phases in microfluidic channels embedded in μ-CDs, as applications of μ-CDs in sample extraction are generally based on enclosed series of extraction phases and microcolumns.     

阵列纸芯片比色法检测碱性磷酸酶

采用5-溴-4-氯-3-吲哚磷酸盐(BCIP)/氯化硝基四氮唑蓝(NBT)显色体系,构建了阵列纸芯片比色检测碱性磷酸酶(ALP)的方法.首先,借助烘干处理方式在光刻法制备的阵列纸芯片微孔中固定显色试剂,然后加入ALP进行显色反应,最后,采用凝胶成像仪和普通照相机成像,读取显色强度(灰度值)进行比色检测.详细考察了显色条件对检测结果的影响,探讨了人血清白蛋白对ALP检测的增色效应,在最佳实验条件下,ALP检测的线性范围为1.5～20 U/L,检出限(3 σ)为0.78 U/L(n=18),比文献报道中纸芯片上检测ALP方法的检出限低约两个数量级.本方法成功用于实际血清样品检测,测定结果与临床值一致.在此基础上,构建了双色阵列纸芯片,通过颜色的变化实现了ALP的可视化半定量检测.     

基于离子浓差极化的立体式海水淡化微流控器件研究

海水淡化是解决人类淡水资源匮乏的一个重要途径。现有的海水淡化技术存在设备体积大、海水淡化成本高等问题。本研究采用聚二甲基硅氧烷( PDMS)制备了基于离子浓差极化原理的海水淡化器件,采用盐溶液模拟海水,进行盐离子和水分子分离的研究。研究了不同的外加电压、盐溶液在通道中的流动速度、盐溶液通道深度和Nafion纳米通道的深度等实验条件和结构参数对微流控器件分离盐离子和水分子的影响。对微流控器件的结构参数进行了优化。实验结果表明,采用外加电压为25 V、盐溶液流速为4μL/min、盐溶液通道深宽比为1：20、Nafion纳米通道深度为450~500μm的微流控器件进行盐溶液分离,除盐率可达到99%。研究结果对于开发新型高效、低能耗的海水淡化器件有重要的指导意义。