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Guo K, Song Z, Zhou J, Shen B, Yan B, Gu Z, Wang H. An artificial intelligence-assisted digital microfluidic system for multistate droplet control. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:138. [PMID: 39327465 PMCID: PMC11427450 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00775-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a versatile technique for parallel and field-programmable control of individual droplets. Given the high level of variability in droplet manipulation, it is essential to establish self-adaptive and intelligent control methods for DMF systems that are informed by the transient state of droplets and their interactions. However, most related studies focus on droplet localization and shape recognition. In this study, we develop the AI-assisted DMF framework μDropAI for multistate droplet control on the basis of droplet morphology. The semantic segmentation model is integrated into our custom-designed DMF system to recognize the droplet states and their interactions for feedback control with a state machine. The proposed model has strong flexibility and can recognize droplets of different colors and shapes with an error rate of less than 0.63%; it enables control of droplets without user intervention. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the volumes of split droplets can be limited to 2.74%, which is lower than the CV of traditional dispensed droplets, contributing to an improvement in the precision of volume control for droplet splitting. The proposed system inspires the development of semantic-driven DMF systems that can interface with multimodal large language models (MLLMs) for fully automatic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunlun Guo
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zerui Song
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiale Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingyong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huifeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Wang QL, Cho EH, Li J, Huang HC, Kin S, Piao Y, Xu L, Tang K, Kuiry S, He Z, Yu D, Cheng B, Wu CC, Choi C, Shin K, Ho TY, Kim CJC. Democratizing digital microfluidics by a cloud-based design and manufacturing platform. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:4536-4548. [PMID: 39221473 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00495g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Akin to the impact that digital microelectronics had on electronic devices for information technology, digital microfluidics (DMF) was anticipated to transform fluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip (LoC) applications. However, despite a wealth of research and publications, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) DMF has not achieved the anticipated wide adoption, and commercialization has been painfully slow. By identifying the technological and resource hurdles in developing DMF chip and control systems as the culprit, we envision democratizing DMF by building a standardized design and manufacturing platform. To achieve this vision, we introduce a proof-of-concept cloud platform that empowers any user to design, obtain, and operate DMF chips (https://edroplets.org). For chip design, we establish a web-based EWOD chip design platform with layout rules and automated wire routing. For chip manufacturing, we build a web-based EWOD chip manufacturing platform and fabricate four types of EWOD chips (i.e., glass, paper, PCB, and TFT) to demonstrate the foundry service workflow. For chip control, we introduce a compact EWOD control system along with web-based operating software. Although industrial fabrication services are beyond the scope of this work, we hope this perspective will inspire academic and commercial stakeholders to join the initiative toward a DMF ecosystem for the masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qining Leo Wang
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
| | - Eric Hyunsung Cho
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
| | - Jia Li
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
| | - Hsin-Chuan Huang
- Department of Computer Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Sarath Kin
- Department of Chemistry, and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea
| | - Yuhao Piao
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
| | - Lin Xu
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
| | - Kenneth Tang
- Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Shounak Kuiry
- Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Zifan He
- Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Danning Yu
- Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Brian Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Chang-Chi Wu
- Department of Computer Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Connor Choi
- Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Kwanwoo Shin
- Department of Chemistry, and Institute of Biological Interfaces, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea
| | - Tsung-Yi Ho
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chang-Jin Cj Kim
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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3
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Fehse S, Das A, Belder D. Integration of a recyclable silver substrate for in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in digital microfluidics. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:8252-8255. [PMID: 39011804 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01552e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
We report a new chip-integrated recyclable SERS substrate, achieved by photochemical deposition of silver nanoparticles onto titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film. Facilitated by the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide the SERS substrate can be recycled for multiple analysis. This enables quasi-real time detection of various compounds in an automated and reusable DMF-SERS platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Fehse
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstr. 3, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Anish Das
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstr. 3, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Detlev Belder
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstr. 3, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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4
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Dayyani H, Mohseni A, Bijarchi MA. Dynamic behavior of floating magnetic liquid marbles under steady and pulse-width-modulated magnetic fields. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2005-2016. [PMID: 38390638 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00578j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Liquid marbles show promising potential for digital microfluidic devices due to their lower friction with the platform surface than non-covered droplets. In this study, the manipulation of a biocompatible magnetic liquid marble with a magnetic shell (LMMS) is experimentally studied. The movement of the floating LMMS on the water surface, which is actuated by DC and pulse width modulation (PWM) magnetic fields, is investigated under the influence of various parameters, including the LMMS volume, the initial distance of the LMMS from the magnetic coil tip, the magnetic coil current, the PWM frequency and its duty cycle. The LMMS has a shorter travel time to the magnetic coil tip under a DC magnetic field by increasing the magnetic coil current, decreasing the initial distance and its volume. In the PWM mode, these parameters show similar behavior; moreover, increasing the PWM duty cycle and decreasing the PWM frequency shorten the travel time. It is demonstrated that actuation by a PWM magnetic field with step-by-step movement provides better control over manipulation of the floating magnetic marble. The dynamic behavior of an LMMS is compared to a ferrofluid marble (FM), which is formed using a ferrofluid instead of water as its core. It is observed that the LMMS has a lower velocity than the FM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Dayyani
- Center of Excellence in Energy Conversion (CEEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Alireza Mohseni
- Center of Excellence in Energy Conversion (CEEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohamad Ali Bijarchi
- Center of Excellence in Energy Conversion (CEEC), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Xing Y, Wang Y, Li X, Pang S. Digital microfluidics methods for nucleic acid detection: A mini review. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:021501. [PMID: 38456173 PMCID: PMC10917463 DOI: 10.1063/5.0180125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Many serious infectious diseases have occurred throughout human history. Rapid and accurate detection as well as the isolation of infected individuals, through nucleic acid testing, are effective means of containing the spread of these viruses. However, traditional nucleic acid testing methods rely on complex machines and specialized personnel, making it difficult to achieve large-scale, high-throughput, and rapid detection. In recent years, digital microfluidics has emerged as a promising technology that integrates various fields, including electrokinetics, acoustics, optics, magnetism, and mechanics. By leveraging the advantages of these different technologies, digital microfluidic chips offer several benefits, such as high detection throughput, integration of multiple functions, low reagent consumption, and portability. This rapid and efficient testing is crucial in the timely detection and isolation of infected individuals to prevent the virus spread. Another advantage is the low reagent consumption of digital microfluidic chips. Compared to traditional methods, these chips require smaller volumes of reagents, resulting in cost savings and reduced waste. Furthermore, digital microfluidic chips are portable and can be easily integrated into point-of-care testing devices. This enables testing to be conducted in remote or resource-limited areas, where access to complex laboratory equipment may be limited. Onsite testing reduces the time and cost associated with sample transportation. In conclusion, bioassay technologies based on digital microfluidic principles have the potential to significantly improve infectious disease detection and control. By enabling rapid, high-throughput, and portable testing, these technologies enhance our ability to contain the spread of infectious diseases and effectively manage public health outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqiang Xing
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai 264000, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang Li
- Bio-manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Guangdong 518000, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shangran Pang
- Jinzhong Normal Junior College, 189 Guang'an Street, Yuci District, Jinzhong 030600, Shanxi Province, People’s Republic of China
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Yang C, Gan X, Zeng Y, Xu Z, Xu L, Hu C, Ma H, Chai B, Hu S, Chai Y. Advanced design and applications of digital microfluidics in biomedical fields: An update of recent progress. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 242:115723. [PMID: 37832347 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Significant breakthroughs have been made in digital microfluidic (DMF)-based technologies over the past decades. DMF technology has attracted great interest in bioassays depending on automatic microscale liquid manipulations and complicated multi-step processing. In this review, the recent advances of DMF platforms in the biomedical field were summarized, focusing on the integrated design and applications of the DMF system. Firstly, the electrowetting-on-dielectric principle, fabrication of DMF chips, and commercialization of the DMF system were elaborated. Then, the updated droplets and magnetic beads manipulation strategies with DMF were explored. DMF-based biomedical applications were comprehensively discussed, including automated sample preparation strategies, immunoassays, molecular diagnosis, blood processing/testing, and microbe analysis. Emerging applications such as enzyme activity assessment and DNA storage were also explored. The performance of each bioassay was compared and discussed, providing insight into the novel design and applications of the DMF technology. Finally, the advantages, challenges, and future trends of DMF systems were systematically summarized, demonstrating new perspectives on the extensive applications of DMF in basic research and commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbin Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiangyu Gan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Yuping Zeng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zhourui Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Longqian Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Chenxuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Hanbin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China; Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan, China.
| | - Bao Chai
- Department of Dermatology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Department of Dermatology, The 6th Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Siyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yujuan Chai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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7
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Lan Y, Zhou Y, Wu M, Jia C, Zhao J. Microfluidic based single cell or droplet manipulation: Methods and applications. Talanta 2023; 265:124776. [PMID: 37348357 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The isolation of single cell or droplet is first and crucial step to single-cell analysis, which is important for cancer research and diagnostic methods. This review provides an overview of technologies that are currently used or in development to realize the isolation. Microfluidic based manipulation is an emerging technology with the distinct advantages of miniaturization and low cost. Therefore, recent developments in microfluidic isolated methods have attracted extensive attention. We introduced herein five strategies based on microfluid: trap, microfluidic discrete manipulation, bioprinter, capillary and inertial force. For every technology, their basic principles and features were discussed firstly. Then some modified approaches and applications were listed as the extension. Finally, we compared the advantages and drawbacks of these methods, and analyzed the trend of the manipulation based on microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Man Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China.
| | - Chunping Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China; Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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8
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Bao M, Waitkus J, Liu L, Chang Y, Xu Z, Qin P, Chen J, Du K. Micro- and nanosystems for the detection of hemorrhagic fever viruses. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4173-4200. [PMID: 37675935 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00482a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) are virulent pathogens that can cause severe and often fatal illnesses in humans. Timely and accurate detection of HFVs is critical for effective disease management and prevention. In recent years, micro- and nano-technologies have emerged as promising approaches for the detection of HFVs. This paper provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art systems for micro- and nano-scale approaches to detect HFVs. It covers various aspects of these technologies, including the principles behind their sensing assays, as well as the different types of diagnostic strategies that have been developed. This paper also explores future possibilities of employing micro- and nano-systems for the development of HFV diagnostic tools that meet the practical demands of clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Bao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Jacob Waitkus
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Yu Chang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Peiwu Qin
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juhong Chen
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ke Du
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
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9
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Zeng X, Guo X, Jiang S, Yang X, Zhong Z, Liu S, Zhu Z, Song J, Yang C. Digital-scRRBS: A Cost-Effective, Highly Sensitive, and Automated Single-Cell Methylome Analysis Platform via Digital Microfluidics. Anal Chem 2023; 95:13313-13321. [PMID: 37616549 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell DNA methylation sequencing is highly effective for identifying cell subpopulations and constructing epigenetic regulatory networks. Existing methylome analyses require extensive starting materials and are costly, complex, and susceptible to contamination, thereby impeding the development of single-cell methylome technology. In this work, we report digital microfluidics-based single-cell reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (digital-scRRBS), the first microfluidics-based single-cell methylome library construction platform, which is an automatic, effective, reproducible, and reagent-efficient technique to dissect the single-cell methylome. Using our digital microfluidic chip, we isolated single cells in 15 s and successfully constructed single-cell methylation sequencing libraries with a unique genome mapping rate of up to 53.6%, covering up to 2.26 million CpG sites. Digital-scRRBS demonstrates a high capacity for distinguishing cell identity and tracking DNA methylation during drug administration. Digital-scRRBS expands the applicability of single-cell methylation methods as a versatile tool for epigenetic analysis of rare cells and populations with high levels of heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zeng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xiaoxu Guo
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Shaowei Jiang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhixing Zhong
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Zhi Zhu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Jia Song
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical of Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
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10
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Wang Y, Chan YS, Chae M, Shi D, Lee CY, Diao J. Programmable Digital-Microfluidic Biochips for SARS-CoV-2 Detection. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:923. [PMID: 37627808 PMCID: PMC10451662 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Biochips, a novel technology in the field of biomolecular analysis, offer a promising alternative to conventional testing equipment. These chips integrate multiple functions within a single system, providing a compact and efficient solution for various testing needs. For biochips, a pattern-control micro-electrode-dot-array (MEDA) is a new, universally viable design that can replace microchannels and other micro-components. In a Micro Electrode Dot Array (MEDA), each electrode can be programmatically controlled or dynamically grouped, allowing a single chip to fulfill the diverse requirements of different tests. This capability not only enhances flexibility, but also contributes to cost reduction by eliminating the need for multiple specialized chips. In this paper, we present a visible biochip testing system for tracking the entire testing process in real time, and describe our application of the system to detect SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
- Advanced Sensing Lab, Digital Futures, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Yun-Sheng Chan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Institute of Electronics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Matthew Chae
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Donglu Shi
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Chen-Yi Lee
- Institute of Electronics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Jiajie Diao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Advanced Sensing Lab, Digital Futures, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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11
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Song Z, Lin ES, Uddin MH, Abid HA, Ong JW, Ng TW. Graphene Oxide Paper Manipulation of Micro-Reactor Drops. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1306. [PMID: 37512618 PMCID: PMC10384384 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics, which relies on the movement of drops, is relatively immune to clogging problems, making it suited for micro-reactor applications. Here, graphene oxide paper of 100 μm thickness, fabricated by blade coating sedimented dispersions onto roughened substrates, followed by drying and mechanical exfoliation, was found to be relatively free of cracks and curling. It also exhibited high wettability and elasto-capillary characteristics. Possessing low enough stiffness, it could rapidly and totally self-wrap water drops of 20 μL volume placed 2 mm from its edge when oriented between 0 and 60° to the horizontal. This complete wrapping behavior allowed drops to be translated via movement of the paper over long distances without dislodgement notwithstanding accelerations and decelerations. An amount of 2 drops that were wrapped with separate papers, when collided with each other at speeds up to 0.64 m/s, were found to eschew coalescence. This portends the development of robust digital microfluidic approaches for micro-reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Song
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Eric Shen Lin
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Md Hemayet Uddin
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Rd., Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Hassan Ali Abid
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jian Wern Ong
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tuck Wah Ng
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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12
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Zeng Y, Khor JW, van Neel TL, Tu WC, Berthier J, Thongpang S, Berthier E, Theberge AB. Miniaturizing chemistry and biology using droplets in open systems. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:439-455. [PMID: 37117816 PMCID: PMC10107581 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Open droplet microfluidic systems manipulate droplets on the picolitre-to-microlitre scale in an open environment. They combine the compartmentalization and control offered by traditional droplet-based microfluidics with the accessibility and ease-of-use of open microfluidics, bringing unique advantages to applications such as combinatorial reactions, droplet analysis and cell culture. Open systems provide direct access to droplets and allow on-demand droplet manipulation within the system without needing pumps or tubes, which makes the systems accessible to biologists without sophisticated setups. Furthermore, these systems can be produced with simple manufacturing and assembly steps that allow for manufacturing at scale and the translation of the method into clinical research. This Review introduces the different types of open droplet microfluidic system, presents the physical concepts leveraged by these systems and highlights key applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jian Wei Khor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tammi L van Neel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Wan-Chen Tu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jean Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sanitta Thongpang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
| | - Erwin Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Ashleigh B Theberge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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13
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Patel K, Stark H. Fluid interfaces laden by force dipoles: towards active matter-driven microfluidic flows. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2241-2253. [PMID: 36912619 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00043e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, nonlinear microfluidics in combination with lab-on-a-chip devices has opened a new avenue for chemical and biomedical applications such as droplet formation and cell sorting. In this article, we integrate ideas from active matter into a microfluidic setting, where two fluid layers with identical densities but different viscosities flow through a microfluidic channel. Most importantly, the fluid interface is laden with active particles that act with dipolar forces on the adjacent fluids and thereby generate flows. We perform lattice-Boltzmann simulations and combine them with phase field dynamics of the interface and an advection-diffusion equation for the density of active particles. We show that only contractile force dipoles can destabilize the flat fluid interface. It develops a viscous finger from which droplets break up. For interfaces with non-zero surface tension, a critical value of activity equal to the surface tension is necessary to trigger the instability. Since activity depends on the density of force dipoles, the interface can develop steady deformation. Lastly, we demonstrate how to control droplet formation using switchable activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuntal Patel
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Holger Stark
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
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14
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Rocha DS, de Campos RP, Silva-Neto HA, Duarte-Junior GF, Bedioui F, Coltro WK. Digital microfluidic platform assembled into a home-made studio for sample preparation and colorimetric sensing of S-nitrosocysteine. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1254:341077. [PMID: 37005016 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a versatile lab-on-a-chip platform that allows integration with several types of sensors and detection techniques, including colorimetric sensors. Here, we propose, for the first time, the integration of DMF chips into a mini studio containing a 3D-printed holder with previously fixed UV-LEDs to promote sample degradation on the chip surface before a complete analytical procedure involving reagent mixture, colorimetric reaction, and detection through a webcam integrated on the equipment. As a proof-of-concept, the feasibility of the integrated system was successfully through the indirect analysis of S-nitrosocysteine (CySNO) in biological samples. For this purpose, UV-LEDs were explored to perform the photolytic cleavage of CySNO, thus generating nitrite and subproducts directly on DMF chip. Nitrite was then colorimetrically detected based on a modified Griess reaction, in which reagents were prepared through a programable movement of droplets on DMF devices. The assembling and the experimental parameters were optimized, and the proposed integration exhibited a satisfactory correlation with the results acquired using a desktop scanner. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the obtained CySNO degradation to nitrite was 96%. Considering the analytical parameters, the proposed approach revealed linear behavior in the CySNO concentration range between 12.5 and 400 μmol L-1 and a limit of detection equal to 2.8 μmol L-1. Synthetic serum and human plasma samples were successfully analyzed, and the achieved results did not statistically differ from the data recorded by spectrophotometry at the confidence level of 95%, thus indicating the huge potential of the integration between DMF and mini studio to promote complete analysis of lowmolecular weight compounds.
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15
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Lu L, Zhang H, Wang Y, Zhang P, Zhu Z, Yang C. Dissolution-Enhanced Luminescence Enhanced Digital Microfluidics Immunoassay for Sensitive and Automated Detection of H5N1. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:6526-6535. [PMID: 36708351 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Protein bioassay is a critical tool for the screening and detection of protein biomarkers in disease diagnostics and biological applications. However, the detection sensitivity and system automation of current immunoassays do not meet the emerging demands of clinical applications. Here, we developed a dissolution-enhanced luminescence-enhanced digital microfluidics immunoassay (DEL-DMF), which significantly improves the sensitivity and automation of the protein bioassay. In DEL-DMF, the sample and reagent droplets are controlled to complete the processes of sample transport, immunoreaction, and buffer washing, which not only minimizes sample consumption to 2 μL and enhances the binding efficiency of immunoreaction but also streamlines all the procedures and simplifies the process of immunoassay. Moreover, dissolution-enhanced luminescence using NaEuF4 NPs as nanoprobes boosts the fluorescence and increases the sensitivity of the bioassay. We demonstrate the enhanced analytical performance of our DEL-DMF immunoassay to detect H5N1 hemagglutinin in human serum and saliva. A limit of detection of 1.16 pM was achieved in less than 0.5 h with only 2 μL sample consumption. Overall, our DEL-DMF immunoassay combines the merits of the microfluidics platform and dissolution-enhanced luminescence, thus affording superior detection sensitivity and system automation for protein biomarkers. This novel immunoassay microsystem holds great potential in clinical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianyu Lu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yang Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zhi Zhu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
- Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), Xiamen 361005, China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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16
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Vashi A, Sreejith KR, Nguyen NT. Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies for Microgravity Simulation and Space Applications. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:116. [PMID: 36677176 PMCID: PMC9864955 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gravity plays an important role in the development of life on earth. The effect of gravity on living organisms can be investigated by controlling the magnitude of gravity. Most reduced gravity experiments are conducted on the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) in the International Space Station (ISS). However, running experiments in ISS face challenges such as high cost, extreme condition, lack of direct accessibility, and long waiting period. Therefore, researchers have developed various ground-based devices and methods to perform reduced gravity experiments. However, the advantage of space conditions for developing new drugs, vaccines, and chemical applications requires more attention and new research. Advancements in conventional methods and the development of new methods are necessary to fulfil these demands. The advantages of Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) devices make them an attractive option for simulating microgravity. This paper briefly reviews the advancement of LOC technologies for simulating microgravity in an earth-based laboratory.
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17
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Ahmadi F, Simchi M, Perry JM, Frenette S, Benali H, Soucy JP, Massarweh G, Shih SCC. Integrating machine learning and digital microfluidics for screening experimental conditions. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 23:81-91. [PMID: 36416045 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00764a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics (DMF) has the signatures of an ideal liquid handling platform - as shown through almost two decades of automated biological and chemical assays. However, in the current state of DMF, we are still limited by the number of parallel biological or chemical assays that can be performed on DMF. Here, we report a new approach that leverages design-of-experiment and numerical methodologies to accelerate experimental optimization on DMF. The integration of the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experimental technique with machine learning algorithms provides a set of recommended optimal conditions without the need to perform a large set of experiments. We applied our approach towards optimizing the radiochemistry synthesis yield given the large number of variables that affect the yield. We believe that this work is the first to combine such techniques which can be readily applied to any other assays that contain many parameters and levels on DMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada.
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Mohammad Simchi
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - James M Perry
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Stephane Frenette
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Habib Benali
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada.
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Soucy
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gassan Massarweh
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Steve C C Shih
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada.
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, 7200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
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18
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Mao Q, Yang QJ, Liu Y, Cao W. Experimental and Numerical study of Droplet Formation with Marangoni Instability. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2022.118369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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19
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Parent C, Laurent P, Goujon CE, Mermet X, Keiser A, Boizot F, Charles R, Audebert L, Fouillet Y, Cubizolles M. A versatile and automated microfluidic platform for a quantitative magnetic bead based protocol: application to gluten detection. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3147-3156. [PMID: 35678256 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00328g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic platform for the integration of multi-step biological assays has been developed. The presented system is a unique instrument compatible with microfluidic chips for various applications based on bead manipulation. Two examples of microfluidic cartridges are presented here. The first one contains two rows of eight chambers (40 and 80 μL), six reagent inlets, eight testing solution (calibrators and samples) inlets and eight outlets to reproduce precisely each step of a biological assay. This configuration is versatile enough to integrate many different biological assays and save a lot of development time. The second architecture is dedicated to one specific protocol and is completely automated from the standard and sample dilutions to the optical detection. Linear dilutions have been integrated to prepare automatically a range of standard concentrations and outlets have been modified for integrated colorimetric detection. The technology uses pneumatically collapsible chambers to perform all the fluidic operations for a fully automated protocol such as volume calibrations, fluid transport, mixing, and washing steps. A programmable instrument with a software interface has been developed to adapt rapidly a protocol to this cartridge. As an example, these new microfluidic cartridges have been used to successfully perform an immunoassay for gluten detection in the dynamic range of 10-30 ppm with good sensitivity (2 ppm) and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Parent
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Patricia Laurent
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | | | - Xavier Mermet
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LSIV, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Armelle Keiser
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - François Boizot
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Raymond Charles
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Lucas Audebert
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, LS2P, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Yves Fouillet
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Myriam Cubizolles
- CEA, LETI, Technologies for Healthcare and Biology Division, Microfluidic Systems and Bioengineering Lab, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
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20
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Das A, Weise C, Polack M, Urban RD, Krafft B, Hasan S, Westphal H, Warias R, Schmidt S, Gulder T, Belder D. On-the-Fly Mass Spectrometry in Digital Microfluidics Enabled by a Microspray Hole: Toward Multidimensional Reaction Monitoring in Automated Synthesis Platforms. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:10353-10360. [PMID: 35640072 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report an approach for the online coupling of digital microfluidics (DMF) with mass spectrometry (MS) using a chip-integrated microspray hole (μSH). The technique uses an adapted electrostatic spray ionization (ESTASI) method to spray a portion of a sample droplet through a microhole in the cover plate, allowing its chemical content to be analyzed by MS. This eliminates the need for chip disassembly or the introduction of capillary emitters for MS analysis, as required by state-of-the-art. For the first time, this allows the essential advantage of a DMF device─free droplet movement─to be retained during MS analysis. The broad applicability of the developed seamless coupling of DMF and mass spectrometry was successfully applied to the study of various on-chip organic syntheses as well as protein and peptide analysis. In the case of a Hantzsch synthesis, we were able to show that the method is very well suited for monitoring even rapid chemical reactions that are completed in a few seconds. In addition, the strength of the low resource consumption in such on-chip microsyntheses was demonstrated by the example of enzymatic brominations, for which only a minute amount of a special haloperoxidase is required in the droplet. The unique selling point of this approach is that the analyzed droplet remains completely movable after the MS measurement and is available for subsequent on-DMF chip processes. This is illustrated here for the example of MS analysis of the starting materials in the corresponding droplets before they are combined to investigate the reaction progress by DMF-MS further. This technology enables the ongoing and almost unlimited tracking of multistep chemical processes in a DMF chip and offers exciting prospects for transforming digital microfluidics into automated synthesis platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Das
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chris Weise
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Polack
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Raphael D Urban
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Benjamin Krafft
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sadat Hasan
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hannes Westphal
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rico Warias
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simon Schmidt
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tanja Gulder
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Detlev Belder
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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21
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Contactless Micro-Droplet Manipulation of Liquid Released from a Parallel Plate to an Open Region in Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Platform. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13060898. [PMID: 35744512 PMCID: PMC9227017 DOI: 10.3390/mi13060898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) platform, the transfer of droplets from the EWOD boundary region (top plate and bottom plate) to the open region is challenging. The challenge is due to the resistance-like surface tension, friction from the top-plate edge, and the so-called boundary. For this purpose, we designed the top plate to minimize the friction resistance at the boundary. The experiment focused on Gibb’s formula and successfully transferred the liquid droplet between the top plate and bottom plate boundary region under a high voltage environment. The threshold voltage for the successful transportation of the droplet between the boundary is 250 V which provides strong pressure to drive the droplet.
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22
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Abstract
Microfluidics has enabled a new era of cellular and molecular assays due to the small length scales, parallelization, and the modularity of various analysis and actuation functions. Droplet microfluidics, in particular, has been instrumental in providing new tools for biology with its ability to quickly and reproducibly generate drops that act as individual reactors. A notable beneficiary of this technology has been single-cell RNA sequencing, which has revealed new heterogeneities and interactions for the fundamental unit of life. However, viruses far surpass the diversity of cellular life, affect the dynamics of all ecosystems, and are a chronic source of global health crises. Despite their impact on the world, high-throughput and high-resolution viral profiling has been difficult, with conventional methods being limited to population-level averaging, large sample volumes, and few cultivable hosts. Consequently, most viruses have not been identified and studied. Droplet microfluidics holds the potential to address many of these limitations and offers new levels of sensitivity and throughput for virology. This Feature highlights recent efforts that have applied droplet microfluidics to the detection and study of viruses, including for diagnostics, virus-host interactions, and cell-independent virus assays. In combination with traditional virology methods, droplet microfluidics should prove a potent tool toward achieving a better understanding of the most abundant biological species on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyang Jing
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hee-Sun Han
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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23
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Digital Microfluidic Mixing via Reciprocating Motions of Droplets Driven by Contact Charge Electrophoresis. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13040593. [PMID: 35457899 PMCID: PMC9025259 DOI: 10.3390/mi13040593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Contact charge electrophoresis (CCEP) is an electrically controllable manipulation technique of conductive droplets and particles by charging and discharging when in contact with the electrode. Given its straightforward operation mechanism, low cost, and ease of system construction, it has gained traction as a versatile and potential strategy for the realistic establishment of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) in various engineering applications. We present a CCEP-based digital microfluidics (DMF) platform with two parallel electrode modules comprising assembled conventional pin header sockets, allowing for efficient mixing through horizontal and vertical shaking via droplet reciprocating motions. The temporal chromic change caused by the chemical reaction between the pH indicator and base solutions within the shaking droplets is quantitatively analyzed under various CCEP actuation conditions to evaluate the mixing performance in shaking droplets by vertical and horizontal reciprocating motions on the DMF platform. Furthermore, mixing flow patterns within shaking droplets are successfully visualized by a high-speed camera system. The suggested techniques can mix samples and reagents rapidly and efficiently in droplet-based microreactors for DMF applications, such as biochemical analysis and medical diagnostics.
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Coelho BJ, Veigas B, Bettencourt L, Águas H, Fortunato E, Martins R, Baptista PV, Igreja R. Digital Microfluidics-Powered Real-Time Monitoring of Isothermal DNA Amplification of Cancer Biomarker. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12040201. [PMID: 35448261 PMCID: PMC9028060 DOI: 10.3390/bios12040201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We introduce a digital microfluidics (DMF) platform specifically designed to perform a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) of DNA and applied it to a real-time amplification to monitor a cancer biomarker, c-Myc (associated to 40% of all human tumors), using fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate the full manipulation of the sample and reagents on the DMF platform, resulting in the successful amplification of 90 pg of the target DNA (0.5 ng/µL) in less than one hour. Furthermore, we test the efficiency of an innovative mixing strategy in DMF by employing two mixing methodologies onto the DMF droplets-low frequency AC (alternating current) actuation as well as back-and-forth droplet motion-which allows for improved fluorescence readouts. Fluorophore bleaching effects are minimized through on-chip sample partitioning by DMF processes and sequential droplet irradiation. Finally, LAMP reactions require only 2 µL volume droplets, which represents a 10-fold volume reduction in comparison to benchtop LAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Jorge Coelho
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
- UCIBIO, I4HB, Life Sciences Department, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Bruno Veigas
- AlmaScience, Campus da Caparica, 2829-519 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Luís Bettencourt
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Hugo Águas
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Elvira Fortunato
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Rodrigo Martins
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Pedro V. Baptista
- UCIBIO, I4HB, Life Sciences Department, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rui Igreja
- Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; (B.J.C.); (L.B.); (H.Á.); (E.F.); (R.M.)
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Deb R, Sarma B, Dalal A. Magnetowetting dynamics of sessile ferrofluid droplets: a review. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:2287-2324. [PMID: 35244655 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01569a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The fascinating behavior of ferrofluids in a magnetic field has been intriguing researchers for many years. With the advancement in digital microfluidics, ferrofluid droplets have been extensively used in different applications ranging from biomedical to mechanical systems. Notably, the magnetic field can change the wetting dynamics of sessile ferrofluid droplets, leading to a plethora of interesting hydrodynamic phenomena. In the recent past, the spatiotemporal evolution of the droplet shape and contact line dynamics of a ferrofluid droplet in different magnetowetting scenarios has been explored widely. The relevant studies elucidate several critical aspects, such as the role of magnetic nanoparticles, carrier fluid, and the interaction of the magnetic fluid with the solid surface, among many others. Hence a systematic review of the progress made in understanding the fundamental and practical aspects of magnetowetting in the past decade (2010-2020) would be a helpful resource to the scientific community in the near future. Drawn by this motivation, an honest effort has been made in this Review to highlight the significant scientific findings concerning the sessile droplet magnetowetting phenomena within the timeline of interest. Several cutting-edge applications developed from the scientific findings in the purview of magnetowetting have also been discussed before outlining the conclusions and future areas of scope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupresha Deb
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781 039, India.
| | - Bhaskarjyoti Sarma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781 039, India.
| | - Amaresh Dalal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781 039, India.
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26
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Juang DS, Lang JM, Beebe DJ. Volumeless reagent delivery: a liquid handling method for adding reagents to microscale droplets without increasing volume. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:286-295. [PMID: 34897347 PMCID: PMC8820037 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00906k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The addition of reagents for assays in digital microfluidic (DMF) systems is traditionally done by merging of droplets containing different analytes or reagents in solution. However, this process significantly increases droplet volume after each step, resulting in dilution of the analyte and reagents. Here, we report a new technique for performing reagent additions to aqueous droplets without significantly increasing the droplet's volume: volume-less reagent delivery (VRD). VRD is enabled by a physical phenomenon we call "exclusive liquid repellency" (ELR), which describes an aqueous/oil/solid 3-phase system where the aqueous phase can be fully repelled from a solid phase (contact angle ∼180°). When performing VRD, a reagent of interest in solution is deposited onto the ELR solid surface and allowed to dry. The ELR surface containing the dried reagent is then immersed under oil, followed by introduction of an aqueous droplet. By dragging the aqueous droplet over the spot of dried reagent using paramagnetic particles or via a physical sliding wall, the droplet can then recover and reconstitute the reagent with negligible increase in its total volume, returning the ELR surface to its initial liquid repellent state in the process. We demonstrate that VRD can be performed across a wide range of reagent types including sugars, proteins (antibodies), nucleic acids (DNA), antibiotics, and even complex enzyme/substrate/buffer "kit" mixtures. We believe VRD is a flexible and powerful technique which can further the development of self-contained, multi-step assays in DMF and other microfluidic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duane S Juang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Joshua M Lang
- Department of Medicine, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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27
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Microdroplet Actuation via Light Line Optoelectrowetting (LL-OEW). Int J Anal Chem 2022; 2021:3402411. [PMID: 34976066 PMCID: PMC8718280 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3402411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Meanwhile, electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) is a well-known phenomenon, even often exploited in active micro-optics to change the curvature of microdroplet lenses or in analytical chemistry with digital microfluidics (DMF, lab on a chip 2.0) to move/actuate microdroplets. Optoelectrowetting (OEW) can bring more flexibility to DMF because in OEW, the operating point of the lab chip is locally controlled by a beam of light, usually impinging onto the chip perpendicularly. As opposed to pure EWOD, for OEW, none of the electrodes has to be structured, which makes the chip design and production technology simpler; the path of any actuated droplet is determined by the movement of the light spot. However, for applications in analytical chemistry, it would be helpful if the space both below as well as that above the lab chip were not obstructed by any optical components and light sources. Here, we report on the possibility to actuate droplets by laser light beams, which traverse the setup parallel to the chip surface and inside the OEW layer sequence. Since microdroplets are grabbed by this surface-parallel, nondiverging, and nonexpanded light beam, we call this principle "light line OEW" (LL-OEW).
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28
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Brookwell A, Oza JP, Caschera F. Biotechnology Applications of Cell-Free Expression Systems. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121367. [PMID: 34947898 PMCID: PMC8705439 DOI: 10.3390/life11121367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free systems are a rapidly expanding platform technology with an important role in the engineering of biological systems. The key advantages that drive their broad adoption are increased efficiency, versatility, and low cost compared to in vivo systems. Traditionally, in vivo platforms have been used to synthesize novel and industrially relevant proteins and serve as a testbed for prototyping numerous biotechnologies such as genetic circuits and biosensors. Although in vivo platforms currently have many applications within biotechnology, they are hindered by time-constraining growth cycles, homeostatic considerations, and limited adaptability in production. Conversely, cell-free platforms are not hindered by constraints for supporting life and are therefore highly adaptable to a broad range of production and testing schemes. The advantages of cell-free platforms are being leveraged more commonly by the biotechnology community, and cell-free applications are expected to grow exponentially in the next decade. In this study, new and emerging applications of cell-free platforms, with a specific focus on cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS), will be examined. The current and near-future role of CFPS within metabolic engineering, prototyping, and biomanufacturing will be investigated as well as how the integration of machine learning is beneficial to these applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- August Brookwell
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Science & Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA;
| | - Javin P. Oza
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Science & Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA;
- Correspondence: (J.P.O.); (F.C.)
| | - Filippo Caschera
- Nuclera Nucleics Ltd., Cambridge CB4 0GD, UK
- Correspondence: (J.P.O.); (F.C.)
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29
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Wetting ridge assisted programmed magnetic actuation of droplets on ferrofluid-infused surface. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7136. [PMID: 34880250 PMCID: PMC8654979 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27503-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Flexible actuation of droplets is crucial for biomedical and industrial applications. Hence, various approaches using optical, electrical, and magnetic forces have been exploited to actuate droplets. For broad applicability, an ideal approach should be programmable and be able to actuate droplets of arbitrary size and composition. Here we present an "additive-free" magnetic actuation method to programmably manipulate droplets of water, organic, and biological fluids of arbitrary composition, as well as solid samples, on a ferrofluid-infused porous surface. We specifically exploit the spontaneously formed ferrofluid wetting ridges to actuate droplets using spatially varying magnetic fields. We demonstrate programmed processing and analysis of biological samples in individual drops as well as the collective actuation of large ensembles of micrometer-sized droplets. Such model respiratory droplets can be accumulated for improved quantitative and sensitive bioanalysis - an otherwise prohibitively difficult task that may be useful in tracking coronavirus.
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30
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Li H, Jiao L, Chen R, Zhu X, Yang Y, Ye D, Wang H, Yang Y, Liao Q. Upper Limit of Light-Levitated Droplet Motion. Anal Chem 2021; 93:16008-16016. [PMID: 34797649 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The light-enabled droplet levitation shows promising potential in applications in biotechnology, clinical medicine, and nanomaterials. In particular, light-levitated droplets have good followability with a moving laser beam, resulting in flexibility in manipulating their motion. However, it is still unclear whether there exists an upper limit to the light-levitated droplet motion with a moving laser beam. Therefore, the motion of light-levitated droplets above the free interface is studied to determine the upper limit of motions of the droplets with a moving laser beam. We demonstrate that an inefficient interface temperature response because of a very high moving speed of the laser beam and the resultant small upward vertical component of vapor flow are responsible for the existence of an upper-limit velocity. Above the upper limit, the light-levitated droplets are unable to stably move with the laser beam and finally disappear. By contrast, the droplets can stably move with the laser beam in a wide range at or below this upper limit. In addition, an almost linear relationship between the upper-limit velocity of the light-levitated droplets and the input laser power is presented. The findings of the present study are informative for the implementation of this light levitation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Li
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Long Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Xun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Dingding Ye
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Yijing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Qiang Liao
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China.,Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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31
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Chen YY, Ting IJ, Wang SC. Using office inkjet printer to develop paper-based electrowetting-on-dielectric micromixer based on capillary wave-induced droplet vibration mixing for the reproducibility improvement of chemiluminescence assays. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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32
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Alias AB, Huang HY, Yao DJ. A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology. Molecules 2021; 26:4354. [PMID: 34299629 PMCID: PMC8303723 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a state of the male or female reproductive system that is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy even after 12 or more months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) plays a crucial role in addressing infertility. Various ART are now available for infertile couples. Fertilization in vitro (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are the most common techniques in this regard. Various microfluidic technologies can incorporate various ART procedures such as embryo and gamete (sperm and oocyte) analysis, sorting, manipulation, culture and monitoring. Hence, this review intends to summarize the current knowledge about the application of this approach towards cell biology to enhance ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Baby Alias
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
| | - Hong-Yuan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung University and College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Da-Jeng Yao
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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33
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Liu Y, Sun L, Zhang H, Shang L, Zhao Y. Microfluidics for Drug Development: From Synthesis to Evaluation. Chem Rev 2021; 121:7468-7529. [PMID: 34024093 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug development is a long process whose main content includes drug synthesis, drug delivery, and drug evaluation. Compared with conventional drug development procedures, microfluidics has emerged as a revolutionary technology in that it offers a miniaturized and highly controllable environment for bio(chemical) reactions to take place. It is also compatible with analytical strategies to implement integrated and high-throughput screening and evaluations. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the entire microfluidics-based drug development system, from drug synthesis to drug evaluation. The challenges in the current status and the prospects for future development are also discussed. We believe that this review will promote communications throughout diversified scientific and engineering communities that will continue contributing to this burgeoning field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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34
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Sulfur liquid marbles submerged in biphasic systems as microreactors for interfacial synthesis. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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35
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Catterton MA, Montalbine AN, Pompano RR. Selective Fluorination of the Surface of Polymeric Materials after Stereolithography 3D Printing. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:7341-7348. [PMID: 34115509 PMCID: PMC8564629 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
With the microfluidics community embracing 3D resin printing as a rapid fabrication method, controlling surface chemistry has emerged as a new challenge. Fluorination of 3D-printed surfaces is highly desirable in many applications due to chemical inertness, low friction coefficients, antifouling properties, and the potential for selective hydrophobic patterning. Despite sporadic reports, silanization methods have not been optimized for covalent bonding with polymeric resins. As a case study, we tested the silanization of a commercially available (meth)acrylate-based resin (BV-007A) with a fluoroalkyl trichlorosilane. Interestingly, plasma oxidation was unnecessary for silanization of this resin and indeed was ineffective. Solvent-based deposition in a fluorinated oil (FC-40) generated significantly higher contact angles than deposition in ethanol or gas-phase deposition, yielding hydrophobic surfaces with contact angle >110° under optimized conditions. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the increase in the contact angle correlated with consumption of a carbonyl moiety, suggesting covalent bonding of silane without plasma oxidation. Consistent with a covalent bond, silanization was resistant to mechanical damage and hydrolysis in methanol and was stable over long-term storage. When tested on a suite of photocrosslinkable resins, this silanization protocol generated highly hydrophobic surfaces (contact angle > 110°) on three resins and moderate hydrophobicity (90-100°) on the remainder. Selective patterning of hydrophobic regions in an open 3D-printed microchannel was possible in combination with simple masking techniques. Thus, this facile fluorination strategy is expected to be applicable for resin-printed materials in a variety of contexts including micropatterning and multiphase microfluidics.
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36
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Luo Z, Huang B, Xu J, Wang L, Huang Z, Cao L, Liu S. Machine vision-based driving and feedback scheme for digital microfluidics system. OPEN CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/chem-2021-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A digital microfluidic system based on electrowetting-on-dielectric is a new technology for controlling microliter-sized droplets on a plane. By applying a voltage signal to an electrode, the droplets can be controlled to move, merge, and split. Due to device design, fabrication, and runtime uncertainties, feedback control schemes are necessary to ensure the reliability and accuracy of a digital microfluidic system for practical application. The premise of feedback is to obtain accurate droplet position information. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop a digital microfluidics system integrated with driving, position, and feedback functions for different areas of study. In this article, we propose a driving and feedback scheme based on machine vision for the digital microfluidics system. A series of experiments including droplet motion, merging, status detection, and self-adaption are performed to evaluate the feasibility and the reliability of the proposed scheme. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can accurately locate multiple droplets and improve the success rate of different applications. Furthermore, the proposed scheme provides an experimental platform for scientists who focused on the digital microfluidics system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Luo
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
- Smart Agriculture Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Quality & Safety Traceability Information Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Bangrui Huang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Jiazhi Xu
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Zitao Huang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Liang Cao
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
| | - Shuangyin Liu
- College of Information Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
- Smart Agriculture Engineering Research Center of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Quality & Safety Traceability Information Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering , Guangzhou 510225 , China
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37
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Mogi K, Kimura H, Kondo Y, Inoue T, Adachi S, Natsume T. Automatic radioisotope manipulation for small amount of nuclear medicine using an EWOD device with a dimple structure. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201809. [PMID: 34084540 PMCID: PMC8150027 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Delicate animal experiments and microdose clinical trials using short-lived radioisotopes require rapid preparation with high accuracy and careful attention to safety within a limited timeframe. We have developed an open-style electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device containing dimple structures for the rapid preparation of radiolabelled reagents. The device was demonstrated by automatic preparation of a technetium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) with high chelation efficiency (99.7 ± 0.13%). Additionally, we demonstrated the single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging of mouse kidney using the 99mTc-DTPA prepared with the EWOD device. The obtained organ tomographic images were sufficient for the evaluation of mouse models for specific diseases. These results indicate that manual radiolabelling for a small amount of nuclear medicine can be replaced by a process using the proposed EWOD device as a human error reduction technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuo Mogi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute (CMB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kimura
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan
| | - Yuto Kondo
- Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8412, Japan
| | - Tomoya Inoue
- Research Centre for Ubiquitous MEMS and Micro Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Shungo Adachi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute (CMB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
| | - Tohru Natsume
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute (CMB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
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38
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Xia HM, Wu JW, Zheng JJ, Zhang J, Wang ZP. Nonlinear microfluidics: device physics, functions, and applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1241-1268. [PMID: 33877234 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01120g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The microfluidic flow is typically laminar due to the dominant viscous effects. At Reynolds numbers far below 1 (Re ≪ 1), the fluid inertia can be neglected. For the steady flow of incompressible Newtonian fluids, it approaches linear Stokes flow. At intermediate Re, there exists a weak-inertia flow regime where secondary flows such as Dean vortices are accessible for microfluidic manipulations. Apart from the fluid inertia, other nonlinear factors such as the non-Newtonian fluid properties, concurrent flow of dissimilar fluids, compliant fluidic structures and stimuli-responsive materials can also cause intriguing flow behaviours. Through proper designs, they can be applied for a variety of microfluidic components including mixers, valves, oscillators, stabilizers and auto-regulators etc., greatly enriching the microfluidic flow control and manipulation strategies. Due to its unique working characteristics and advantages, nonlinear microfluidics has increasingly attracted extensive attention. This review presents a systematic survey on this subject. The designs of typical nonlinear microfluidic devices, their working mechanisms, key applications, and the perspective of their future developments will be discussed. The nonlinear microfluidic techniques are believed to play an essential role in the next generation of highly-integrated, automated, and intelligent microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Xia
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, P. R. China.
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39
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Qiu W, Nagl S. Automated Miniaturized Digital Microfluidic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Using a Chip-Integrated Optical Oxygen Sensor. ACS Sens 2021; 6:1147-1156. [PMID: 33720687 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c02399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We present the first digital microfluidic (DMF) antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) using an optical oxygen sensor film for in-situ and real-time continuous measurement of extracellular dissolved oxygen (DO). The device allows one to monitor bacterial growth across the entire cell culture area, and the fabricated device was utilized for a miniaturized and automated AST. The oxygen-sensitive probe platinum(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin was embedded in a Hyflon AD 60 polymer and spin-coated as a 100 nm thick layer onto an ITO glass serving as the DMF ground electrode. This DMF-integrated oxygen sensing film was found to cause no negative effects to the droplet manipulation or cell growth on the chip. The developed DMF platform was used to monitor the DO consumption during Escherichia coli (E. coli) growth caused by cellular respiration. A rapid and reliable twofold dilution procedure was developed and performed, and the AST with E. coli ATCC 25922 in the presence of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline at different concentrations from 0.5 to 8 μg mL-1 was investigated. All sample dispensation, dilution, and mixing were performed automatically on the chip within 10 min. The minimum inhibitory concentration values measured from the DMF chip were consistent with those from the standard broth microdilution method but requiring only minimal sample handling and working with much smaller sample volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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40
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Hirama H, Yoshii S, Komazaki Y, Kano S, Torii T, Mekaru H. Droplet Handling for Chemical Reactors Using a Digital Microfluidic Device. CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.200654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotada Hirama
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshii
- School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yusuke Komazaki
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Shinya Kano
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
| | - Toru Torii
- Future Center Initiative, The University of Tokyo, Wakashiba, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0871, Japan
| | - Harutaka Mekaru
- Sensing System Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564, Japan
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Wilbraham L, Mehr SHM, Cronin L. Digitizing Chemistry Using the Chemical Processing Unit: From Synthesis to Discovery. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:253-262. [PMID: 33370095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The digitization of chemistry is not simply about using machine learning or artificial intelligence systems to process chemical data, or about the development of ever more capable automation hardware; instead, it is the creation of a hard link between an abstracted process ontology of chemistry and bespoke hardware for performing reactions or exploring reactivity. Chemical digitization is therefore about the unambiguous development of an architecture, a chemical state machine, that uses this ontology to connect precise instruction sets to hardware that performs chemical transformations. This approach enables a universal standard for describing chemistry procedures via a chemical programming language and facilitates unambiguous dissemination of these procedures. We predict that this standard will revolutionize the ability of chemists to collaborate, increase reproducibility and safety, as we all as optimize for cost and efficiency. Most importantly, the digitization of chemistry will dramatically reduce the labor needed to make new compounds and broaden accessible chemical space. In recent years, the developments of automation in chemistry have gone beyond flow chemistry alone, with many bespoke workflows being developed not only for automating chemical synthesis but also for materials, nanomaterials, and formulation production. Indeed, the leap from fixed-configuration synthesis machines like peptide, nucleic acid, or dedicated cross-coupling engines is important for developing a truly universal approach to "dial-a-molecule". In this case, a key conceptual leap is the use of a batch system that can encode the chemical reagents, solvent, and products as packets which can be moved around the system, and a graph-based approach for the description of hardware modules that allows the compilation of chemical code that runs on, in principle, any hardware. Further, the integration of sensor systems for monitoring and controlling the state of the chemical synthesis machine, as well as high resolution spectroscopic tools, is vital if these systems are to facilitate closed-loop autonomous experiments. Systems that not only make molecules and materials, but also optimize their function, and use algorithms to assist with the development of new synthetic pathways and process optimization are also possible. Here, we discuss how the digitization of chemistry is happening, building on the plethora of technological developments in hardware and software. Importantly, digital-chemical robot systems need to integrate feedback from simple sensors, e.g., conductivity or temperature, as well as online analytics in order to navigate process space autonomously. This will open the door to accessing known molecules (synthesis), exploring whether known compounds/reactions are possible under new conditions (optimization), and searching chemical space for unknown and unexpected new molecules, reactions, and modes of reactivity (discovery). We will also discuss the role of chemical knowledge and how this can be used to challenge bias, as well as define and expand synthetically accessible chemical space using programmable robotic chemical state machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Wilbraham
- School of Chemistry, The University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - S. Hessam M. Mehr
- School of Chemistry, The University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leroy Cronin
- School of Chemistry, The University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
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Yazdian Kashani S, Afzalian A, Shirinichi F, Keshavarz Moraveji M. Microfluidics for core-shell drug carrier particles - a review. RSC Adv 2020; 11:229-249. [PMID: 35423057 PMCID: PMC8691093 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08607j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Core-shell drug-carrier particles are known for their unique features. Due to the combination of superior properties not exhibited by the individual components, core-shell particles have gained a lot of interest. The structures could integrate core and shell characteristics and properties. These particles were designed for controlled drug release in the desired location. Therefore, the side effects would be minimized. So, these particles' advantages have led to the introduction of new methods and ideas for their fabrication. In the past few years, the generation of drug carrier core-shell particles in microfluidic chips has attracted much attention. This method makes it possible to produce particles at nanometer and micrometer levels of the same shape and size; it usually costs less than other methods. The other advantages of using microfluidic techniques compared to conventional bulk methods are integration capability, reproducibility, and higher efficiency. These advantages have created a positive outlook on this approach. This review gives an overview of the various fluidic concepts that are used to generate microparticles or nanoparticles. Also, an overview of traditional and more recent microfluidic devices and their design and structure for the generation of core-shell particles is given. The unique benefits of the microfluidic technique for core-shell drug carrier particle generation are demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Yazdian Kashani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) 1591634311 Tehran Iran +98 21 64543182
| | - Amir Afzalian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) 1591634311 Tehran Iran +98 21 64543182
| | - Farbod Shirinichi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) 1591634311 Tehran Iran +98 21 64543182
| | - Mostafa Keshavarz Moraveji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) 1591634311 Tehran Iran +98 21 64543182
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43
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Li W, Lei Y, Chen R, Zhu X, Liao Q, Ye D, Li D. Light-Caused Droplet Bouncing from a Cavity Trap-Assisted Superhydrophobic Surface. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:11068-11078. [PMID: 32847362 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Actuating droplet bouncing from a rigid surface is of considerable interest for potential applications, ranging from novel droplet microfluidics to self-cleaning and anti-icing. The photothermal effect and the accompanying phase change initiate a route for manipulating the tiny amount of liquid. In this work, we present a concept of droplet bouncing from a cavity trap-assisted superhydrophobic platform actuated by the photothermal effect-induced intense evaporation, which enables the purposeful manipulation of the droplet bouncing. It is demonstrated that such a design limits the vapor transport so that the vapor pressure under the droplet is considerably improved to overcome the gravity and liquid-solid adhesion force, leading to the droplet bouncing. Moreover, experimental results indicate that droplet bouncing behaviors can be easily tuned by simply adjusting the cavity dimension and the input laser power. This work provides a new method for the manipulation of droplet bouncing, presenting promising perspectives for future possible applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Yuanpeng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Xun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Qiang Liao
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Dingding Ye
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Dongliang Li
- Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400030, China
- Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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44
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Liénard-Mayor T, Taverna M, Descroix S, Mai TD. Droplet-interfacing strategies in microscale electrophoresis for sample treatment, separation and quantification: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1143:281-297. [PMID: 33384124 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, for the first time we report on a comprehensive overview of different strategies to hyphenate droplet-based sample handling and preparation with electrophoretic separation in different formats (i.e. microchip and capillary electrophoresis). Droplet-interfaced electrophoresis is an emerging technique in which micro/nanometric droplets are used as a bridge and carrier of target analytes between sample treatment and electrokinetic separation steps, thus being expected to overcome the challenges of working dimension mismatch and low degree of module integration. This review covers all works on this topic from 2006 (the year of the first communication) up to 2020, with focus being given to three principal interfacing strategies, including droplets in immiscible phases, digital microfluidics with electrowetting-on-dielectric principle and inkjet droplet generation. Different instrumental developments for such purpose, the viewpoints on pros and cons of these designs as well as application demonstrations of droplet-interfaced electrokinetic strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théo Liénard-Mayor
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 92296, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Myriam Taverna
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 92296, Châtenay-Malabry, France; Institut Universitaire de France, France
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Thanh Duc Mai
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, 92296, Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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45
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Kremers T, Thelen S, Bosbach N, Schnakenberg U. PortaDrop: A portable digital microfluidic platform providing versatile opportunities for Lab-On-A-Chip applications. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238581. [PMID: 32881948 PMCID: PMC7470335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrowetting-on-dielectric is a decent technique to manipulate discrete volumes of liquid in form of droplets. In the last decade, electrowetting-on-dielectric systems, also called digital microfluidic systems, became more frequently used for a variety of applications because of their high flexibility and reconfigurability. Thus, one design can be adapted to different assays by only reprogramming. However, this flexibility can only be useful if the entire system is portable and easy to use. This paper presents the development of a portable, stand-alone digital microfluidic system based on a Linux-based operating system running on a Raspberry Pi, which is unique. We present "PortaDrop" exhibiting the following key features: (1) an "all-in-one box" approach, (2) a user-friendly, self-explaining graphical user interface and easy handling, (3) the ability of integrated electrochemical measurements, (4) the ease to implement additional lab equipment via Universal Serial Bus and the General Purpose Interface Bus as well as (5) a standardized experiment documentation. We propose that PortaDrop can be used to carry out experiments in different applications, where small sample volumes in the nanoliter to picoliter range need to be handled an analyzed automatically. As a first application, we present a protocol, where a droplet is consequently exchanged by droplets of another medium using passive dispensing. The exchange is monitored by electrical impedance spectroscopy. It is the first time, the media exchange caused by passive dispensing is characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Summarizing, PortaDrop allows easy combination of fluid handling by means of electrowetting and additional sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Kremers
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah Thelen
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nils Bosbach
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Uwe Schnakenberg
- Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems and Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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46
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Samlali K, Ahmadi F, Quach ABV, Soffer G, Shih SCC. One Cell, One Drop, One Click: Hybrid Microfluidics for Mammalian Single Cell Isolation. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2002400. [PMID: 32705796 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Generating a stable knockout cell line is a complex process that can take several months to complete. In this work, a microfluidic method that is capable of isolating single cells in droplets, selecting successful edited clones, and expansion of these isoclones is introduced. Using a hybrid microfluidics method, droplets in channels can be individually addressed using a co-planar electrode system. In the hybrid microfluidics device, it is shown that single cells can be trapped and subsequently encapsulate them on demand into pL-sized droplets. Furthermore, droplets containing single cells are either released, kept in the traps, or merged with other droplets by the application of an electric potential to the electrodes that is actuated through an in-house user interface. This high precision control is used to successfully sort and recover single isoclones to establish monoclonal cell lines, which is demonstrated with a heterozygous NCI-H1299 lung squamous cell population resulting from loss-of-function eGFP and RAF1 gene knockout transfections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenza Samlali
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Angela B V Quach
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Guy Soffer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Steve C C Shih
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H3G 1M8, Canada
- Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, H4B 1R6, Canada
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47
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Okada K, Miura Y, Chiya T, Tokudome Y, Takahashi M. Thermo-responsive wettability via surface roughness change on polymer-coated titanate nanorod brushes toward fast and multi-directional droplet transport. RSC Adv 2020; 10:28032-28036. [PMID: 35519096 PMCID: PMC9055642 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05471b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel approach for thermo-responsive wettability has been accomplished by surface roughness change induced by thermal expansion of paraffin coated on titanate nanostructures. The surface exhibits thermo-responsive and reversible wettability change in a hydrophobic regime; the surface shows superhydrophobicity with contact angles of ∼157° below 50 °C and ∼118° above 50 °C due to a decrease of surface roughness caused by thermally-expanded paraffin at higher temperatures. Reversible wettability change of ∼40° of a contact angle allows for fast and multi-directional droplet transport. The present approach affords a versatile selection of materials and wide variety of contact angles, promoting both scientific advancement and technology innovation in the field of smart surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Okada
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University Sakai Osaka 599-8531 Japan
- JST, PRESTO 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi Saitama 332-0012 Japan
| | - Yoko Miura
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University Sakai Osaka 599-8531 Japan
| | - Tomoya Chiya
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University Sakai Osaka 599-8531 Japan
| | - Yasuaki Tokudome
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University Sakai Osaka 599-8531 Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University Sakai Osaka 599-8531 Japan
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48
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Burkhart CT, Maki KL, Schertzer MJ. Coplanar Electrowetting-Induced Droplet Detachment from Radially Symmetric Electrodes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:8129-8136. [PMID: 32551661 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This work demonstrates electrowetting-induced droplet detachment in air from coplanar electrodes using a single voltage pulse. It also presents two models to predict when this detachment will occur. Previous works approximated the minimum energy for detachment based on (i) adhesion work at the solid-liquid interface and (ii) interfacial energy changes along all three interfaces in the system. This investigation updates those models to include changes in gravitational potential energy during detachment and provides validation by testing predicted detachment thresholds against experimental observations. Droplets of varying volume were ejected from electrowetting devices with (i) radially symmetric four-part coplanar electrodes and (ii) single electrodes with a ground wire inserted directly into the droplet. All experiments were performed in air. Incorporation of gravitational potential energy improves predictions for critical electrowetting number and captures the observed increase in applied voltage required with increased droplet volume. These new models will be of particular benefit in three-dimensional digital microfluidics applications that manipulate droplets in air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin T Burkhart
- Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 76 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Kara L Maki
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, 76 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Michael J Schertzer
- Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 76 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
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49
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Chen P, Li S, Guo Y, Zeng X, Liu BF. A review on microfluidics manipulation of the extracellular chemical microenvironment and its emerging application to cell analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1125:94-113. [PMID: 32674786 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.05.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal manipulation of extracellular chemical environments with simultaneous monitoring of cellular responses plays an essential role in exploring fundamental biological processes and expands our understanding of underlying mechanisms. Despite the rapid progress and promising successes in manipulation strategies, many challenges remain due to the small size of cells and the rapid diffusion of chemical molecules. Fortunately, emerging microfluidic technology has become a powerful approach for precisely controlling the extracellular chemical microenvironment, which benefits from its integration capacity, automation, and high-throughput capability, as well as its high resolution down to submicron. Here, we summarize recent advances in microfluidics manipulation of the extracellular chemical microenvironment, including the following aspects: i) Spatial manipulation of chemical microenvironments realized by convection flow-, diffusion-, and droplet-based microfluidics, and surface chemical modification; ii) Temporal manipulation of chemical microenvironments enabled by flow switching/shifting, moving/flowing cells across laminar flows, integrated microvalves/pumps, and droplet manipulation; iii) Spatiotemporal manipulation of chemical microenvironments implemented by a coupling strategy and open-space microfluidics; and iv) High-throughput manipulation of chemical microenvironments. Finally, we briefly present typical applications of the above-mentioned technical advances in cell-based analyses including cell migration, cell signaling, cell differentiation, multicellular analysis, and drug screening. We further discuss the future improvement of microfluidics manipulation of extracellular chemical microenvironments to fulfill the needs of biological and biomedical research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shunji Li
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yiran Guo
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xuemei Zeng
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Bi-Feng Liu
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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50
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Lu Z, Li Y, Qiu W, Rogach AL, Nagl S. Composite Films of CsPbBr 3 Perovskite Nanocrystals in a Hydrophobic Fluoropolymer for Temperature Imaging in Digital Microfluidics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:19805-19812. [PMID: 32237718 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A composite film material that combines CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals with a Hyflon AD 60 fluoropolymer was developed and utilized for high-resolution optical temperature imaging. It exhibited bright luminescence and, most importantly, long-term stability in an aqueous medium. CsPbBr3 nanocrystal-Hyflon films immersed in aqueous solutions showed stable luminescence over at least 4 months and exhibited a fully reversible pronounced temperature sensitivity of 1.2% K-1 between 20 and 80 °C. They were incorporated into a digital microfluidic (electrowetting on dielectric) platform and were used for spatially resolved temperature measurements during droplet movements. Thermal mapping with a CsPbBr3 nanocrystal-Hyflon sensing layer in a room temperature environment (22.0 °C) revealed an increase in local temperatures of up to 40.2 °C upon voltage-driven droplet manipulations in a digital microfluidic system, corresponding to a local temperature change of up to 18.2 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangdi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanxiu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Functional Photonics (CFP), City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenting Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrey L Rogach
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Functional Photonics (CFP), City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stefan Nagl
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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