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Nanogap Electrode-Enabled Versatile Electrokinetic Manipulation of Nanometric Species in Fluids. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12070451. [PMID: 35884255 PMCID: PMC9313323 DOI: 10.3390/bios12070451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive manipulation of nanoscopic species in liquids has attracted considerable attention due to its potential applications in diverse fields. Many sophisticated methodologies have been developed to control and study nanoscopic entities, but the low-power, cost-effective, and versatile manipulation of nanometer-sized objects in liquids remains challenging. Here, we present a dielectrophoretic (DEP) manipulation technique based on nanogap electrodes, with which the on-demand capturing, enriching, and sorting of nano-objects in microfluidic systems can be achieved. The dielectrophoretic control unit consists of a pair of swelling-induced nanogap electrodes crossing a microchannel, generating a steep electric field gradient and thus strong DEP force for the effective manipulation of nano-objects microfluidics. The trapping, enriching, and sorting of nanoparticles and DNAs were performed with this device to demonstrate its potential applications in micro/nanofluidics, which opens an alternative avenue for the non-invasive manipulation and characterization of nanoparticles such as DNA, proteins, and viruses.
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Li X, Duan J, Qu Z, Wang J, Ji M, Zhang B. Continuous Particle Separation Driven by 3D Ag-PDMS Electrodes with Dielectric Electrophoretic Force Coupled with Inertia Force. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13010117. [PMID: 35056282 PMCID: PMC8780234 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell separation has become @important in biological and medical applications. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is widely used due to the advantages it offers, such as the lack of a requirement for biological markers and the fact that it involves no damage to cells or particles. This study aimed to report a novel approach combining 3D sidewall electrodes and contraction/expansion (CEA) structures to separate three kinds of particles with different sizes or dielectric properties continuously. The separation was achieved through the interaction between electrophoretic forces and inertia forces. The CEA channel was capable of sorting particles with different sizes due to inertial forces, and also enhanced the nonuniformity of the electric field. The 3D electrodes generated a non-uniform electric field at the same height as the channels, which increased the action range of the DEP force. Finite element simulations using the commercial software, COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4, were performed to determine the flow field distributions, electric field distributions, and particle trajectories. The separation experiments were assessed by separating 4 µm polystyrene (PS) particles from 20 µm PS particles at different flow rates by experiencing positive and negative DEP. Subsequently, the sorting performances of the 4 µm PS particles, 20 µm PS particles, and 4 µm silica particles with different solution conductivities were observed. Both the numerical simulations and the practical particle separation displayed high separating efficiency (separation of 4 µm PS particles, 94.2%; separation of 20 µm PS particles, 92.1%; separation of 4 µm Silica particles, 95.3%). The proposed approach is expected to open a new approach to cell sorting and separating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Li
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
- Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Junping Duan
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Zeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Jiayun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Miaomiao Ji
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Binzhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence:
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Han D, Xu J, Wang H, Wang Z, Yang N, Yang F, Shen Q, Xu S. Non-Interventional and High-Precision Temperature Measurement Biochips for Long-Term Monitoring the Temperature Fluctuations of Individual Cells. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:454. [PMID: 34821670 PMCID: PMC8615431 DOI: 10.3390/bios11110454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the thermal responses of individual cells to external stimuli is essential for studies of cell metabolism, organelle function, and drug screening. Fluorescent temperature probes are usually employed to measure the temperatures of individual cells; however, they have some unavoidable problems, such as, poor stability caused by their sensitivity to the chemical composition of the solution and the limitation in their measurement time due to the short fluorescence lifetime. Here, we demonstrate a stable, non-interventional, and high-precision temperature-measurement chip that can monitor the temperature fluctuations of individual cells subject to external stimuli and over a normal cell life cycle as long as several days. To improve the temperature resolution, we designed temperature sensors made of Pd-Cr thin-film thermocouples, a freestanding Si3N4 platform, and a dual-temperature control system. Our experimental results confirm the feasibility of using this cellular temperature-measurement chip to detect local temperature fluctuations of individual cells that are 0.3-1.5 K higher than the ambient temperature for HeLa cells in different proliferation cycles. In the future, we plan to integrate this chip with other single-cell technologies and apply it to research related to cellular heat-stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhong Han
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
- Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Beijing 100854, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
- School of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center, Beijing 100142, China;
| | - Zhenhai Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
- Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Beijing 100854, China
| | - Nana Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
| | - Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
| | - Qundong Shen
- Department of Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.); (N.Y.); (F.Y.)
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Xu J, Zeng M, Xu X, Liu J, Huo X, Han D, Wang Z, Tian L. A Micron-Sized Laser Photothermal Effect Evaluation System and Method. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:5133. [PMID: 34372369 PMCID: PMC8348586 DOI: 10.3390/s21155133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The photothermal effects of lasers have played an important role in both medical laser applications and the development of cochlear implants with optical stimulation. However, there are few methods to evaluate the thermal effect of micron-sized laser spots interacting with other tissues. Here, we present a multi-wavelength micro-scale laser thermal effect measuring system that has high temporal, spatial and temperature resolutions, and can quantitatively realize evaluations in real time. In this system, with accurate 3D positioning and flexible pulsed laser parameter adjustments, groups of temperature changes are systematically measured when the micron-sized laser spots from six kinds of wavelengths individually irradiate the Pd/Cr thermocouple junction area, and reference data of laser spot thermal effects are obtained. This work develops a stable, reliable and universal tool for quantitatively exploring the thermal effect of micron-sized lasers, and provides basic reference data for research on light-stimulated neuron excitement in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Xu
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Shandong University, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Ming Zeng
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
| | - Xin Xu
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
| | - Junhui Liu
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
| | - Xinyu Huo
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
| | - Danhong Han
- Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Beijing 100854, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zhenhai Wang
- Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical Equipment, Beijing 100854, China; (D.H.); (Z.W.)
| | - Lan Tian
- Institute of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250102, China; (J.X.); (M.Z.); (X.X.); (J.L.); (X.H.)
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Microfluidic devices with gold thin film channels for chemical and biomedical applications: a review. Biomed Microdevices 2019; 21:93. [DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Yang N, Wang Z, Xu J, Gui L, Tang Z, Zhang Y, Yi M, Yue S, Xu S. Multifunctional Freestanding Microprobes for Potential Biological Applications. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 19:E2328. [PMID: 31137584 PMCID: PMC6567016 DOI: 10.3390/s19102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deep-level sensors for detecting the local temperatures of inner organs and tissues of an animal are rarely reported. In this paper, we present a method to fabricate multifunctional micro-probes with standard cleanroom procedures, using a piece of stainless-steel foil as the substrate. On each of the as-fabricated micro-probes, arrays of thermocouples made of Pd-Cr thin-film stripes with reliable thermal sensing functions were built, together with Pd electrode openings for detecting electrical signals. The as-fabricated sword-shaped freestanding microprobes with length up to 30 mm showed excellent mechanical strength and elastic properties when they were inserted into the brain and muscle tissues of live rats, as well as suitable electrochemical properties and, therefore, are promising for potential biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Zhenhai Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
- School of Microelectronics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Lijiang Gui
- Department of Micro-Nano Fabrication Technology, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Tang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Shuanglin Yue
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Physics & Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Han D, Xu J, Wang Z, Yang N, Li X, Qian Y, Li G, Dai R, Xu S. Penetrating effect of high-intensity infrared laser pulses through body tissue. RSC Adv 2018; 8:32344-32357. [PMID: 35547482 PMCID: PMC9086259 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra05285a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have utilized infrared (IR) lasers as energy sources in laser therapy for curing skin diseases and skin injuries with remarkable effects. Preliminary experiments have also shown that high-intensity IR laser pulses could penetrate thick body tissues, resulting in remarkable effects for recovery from injuries in deep muscles and cartilage tissues. However, for deep-level IR laser therapy, it is unclear how much of the laser power density penetrates the body tissues at certain depths and which of the three major effects of laser irradiation, namely, laser-induced photo-chemical effect, photo-thermal effect and mechanical dragging effect, play a key role in the curing process. Thus, in this study, we developed micro-sized thin-film thermocouple (TFTC) arrays on freestanding Si3N4 thin-film windows as sensors for laser power density and local temperature. These devices showed excellent linear responses in output voltage to laser power density with wavelengths in the range of 325-1064 nm, and also indicated the local temperature at the laser spot. We systematically measured the penetrating effect and thermal effect through thick porcine tissues for high-intensity IR pulses with a laser system used in clinical treatment and subtracted the attenuation parameters for the porcine skin, fat and muscle tissue from the experimental data. The results offered reliable quantitative references for safe irradiation doses of high-intensity IR laser pulses in practical laser therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhong Han
- Key Laboratory for the AGA & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China +86-10-62757261
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Key Laboratory for the AGA & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China +86-10-62757261
| | - Zhenhai Wang
- Key Laboratory for the AGA & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China +86-10-62757261
| | - Nana Yang
- Key Laboratory for the AGA & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China +86-10-62757261
| | - Xunzhou Li
- TED Healthcare Technology Ltd Unit 350, 3/F, Block B, Beijing Venture Plaza, A11, An Xiang Bei li Rd. Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Yingying Qian
- TED Healthcare Technology Ltd Unit 350, 3/F, Block B, Beijing Venture Plaza, A11, An Xiang Bei li Rd. Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Ge Li
- TED Healthcare Technology Ltd Unit 350, 3/F, Block B, Beijing Venture Plaza, A11, An Xiang Bei li Rd. Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Rujun Dai
- TED Healthcare Technology Ltd Unit 350, 3/F, Block B, Beijing Venture Plaza, A11, An Xiang Bei li Rd. Beijing 100101 P. R. China
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Key Laboratory for the AGA & Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University Beijing 100871 P. R. China +86-10-62757261
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Yang F, Yang N, Huo X, Xu S. Thermal sensing in fluid at the micro-nano-scales. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:041501. [PMID: 30867860 PMCID: PMC6404956 DOI: 10.1063/1.5037421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Temperature is one of the most fundamental parameters for the characterization of a physical system. With rapid development of lab-on-a-chip and biology at single cell level, a great demand has risen for the temperature sensors with high spatial, temporal, and thermal resolution. Nevertheless, measuring temperature in liquid environment is always a technical challenge. Various factors may affect the sensing results, such as the fabrication parameters of built-in sensors, thermal property of electrical insulating layer, and stability of fluorescent thermometers in liquid environment. In this review, we focused on different kinds of micro/nano-thermometers applied in the thermal sensing for microfluidic systems and cultured cells. We discussed the advantages and limitations of these thermometers in specific applications and the challenges and possible solutions for more accurate temperature measurements in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Nana Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoye Huo
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Micro-and Nanofluidics Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Shengyong Xu
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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