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Yang C, Liu X, Song X, Zhang L. Design and batch fabrication of anisotropic microparticles toward small-scale robots using microfluidics: recent advances. LAB ON A CHIP 2024. [PMID: 39206574 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00566j] [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
Small-scale robots with shape anisotropy have garnered significant scientific interest due to their enhanced mobility and precise control in recent years. Traditionally, these miniature robots are manufactured using established techniques such as molding, 3D printing, and microfabrication. However, the advent of microfluidics in recent years has emerged as a promising manufacturing technology, capitalizing on the precise and dynamic manipulation of fluids at the microscale to fabricate various complex-shaped anisotropic particles. This offers a versatile and controlled platform, enabling the efficient fabrication of small-scale robots with tailored morphologies and advanced functionalities from the microfluidic-derived anisotropic microparticles at high throughput. This review highlights the recent advances in the microfluidic fabrication of anisotropic microparticles and their potential applications in small-scale robots. In this review, the term 'small-scale robots' broadly encompasses micromotors endowed with capabilities for locomotion and manipulation. Firstly, the fundamental strategies for liquid template formation and the methodologies for generating anisotropic microparticles within the microfluidic system are briefly introduced. Subsequently, the functionality of shape-anisotropic particles in forming components for small-scale robots and actuation mechanisms are emphasized. Attention is then directed towards the diverse applications of these microparticle-derived microrobots in a variety of fields, including pollution remediation, cell microcarriers, drug delivery, and biofilm eradication. Finally, we discuss future directions for the fabrication and development of miniature robots from microfluidics, shedding light on the evolving landscape of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyu Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Xurui Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong 999077, China.
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2
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Jiang T, Wu H, Liu S, Yan H, Jiang H. Effective colloidal emulsion droplet regulation in flow-focusing glass capillary microfluidic device via collection tube variation. RSC Adv 2024; 14:3250-3260. [PMID: 38249672 PMCID: PMC10797494 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08561a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Colloidal emulsion droplets, created using glass capillary microfluidic devices, have been found in a myriad of applications, serving as subtle microcarriers, delicate templates, etc. To meet the objective requirements under varying circumstances, it is crucial to efficiently control the morphology and dimensions of the droplets on demand. The glass capillary collection tube is a crucial component of the flow-focusing microfluidic system due to its close association with the geometrical confinement of the multiphasic flow. However, there are currently no guidelines for the design of the morphology and dimensions of the glass capillary collection tube, which shall result in a delay in assessing serviceability until after the microfluidic device is prepared, thereby causing a loss of time and effort. Herein, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of the geometrical characteristics of glass capillary collection tubes on the production of colloidal emulsion droplets. After characterizing the generated colloidal emulsion droplets, it was found that the geometrical variations of the glass capillary collection tube resulted in numerical disparities of droplets due to different degrees of flow-focusing effects. The stronger flow-focusing effect produced smaller droplets at a higher frequency, and the dimensional variation of colloidal emulsion droplets was more responsive to varying flow rates. Furthermore, the transformation from colloidal single-core double-emulsion droplets to multi-core double-emulsion droplets also changed with the flow rate due to the glass capillary collection tube morphology-determined varying flow-focusing effect. These experimental findings can offer qualitative guidance for the design of glass capillary microfluidic devices in the preliminary stage, thus facilitating the smooth production of desired colloidal emulsion droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology West Da-Zhi Street 92 Harbin Heilongjiang PR China 150001
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology West Da-Zhi Street 92 Harbin Heilongjiang PR China 150001
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon Hong Kong SAR PR China 999077
| | - Shuofu Liu
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology West Da-Zhi Street 92 Harbin Heilongjiang PR China 150001
| | - Hui Yan
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology West Da-Zhi Street 92 Harbin Heilongjiang PR China 150001
| | - Hongyuan Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology West Da-Zhi Street 92 Harbin Heilongjiang PR China 150001
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3
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Luan J, Kuijken PF, Chen W, Wang D, Charleston LA, Wilson DA. Microfluidic Design of Streamlined Alginate Hydrogel Micromotors with Run and Tumble Motion Patterns. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304995. [PMID: 37828568 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Autonomous micromotors demonstrate remarkable advancements in biomedical applications. A noteworthy example is streamlined motors, which display enhanced movement efficiency with low fluid-resistance. However, existing streamlined motors, primarily constructed from inorganic materials, present challenges due to their complex fabrication procedures and lack of a soft interface for interaction with biological systems. Herein, a novel design of biodegradable streamlined alginate hydrogel micromotors with a teardrop shape by microfluidics is introduced. The platform enables the high-throughput fabrication of monodisperse micromotors with varied dimensions. By incorporating Pt-coated Fe3 O4 nanoparticles, micromotors are equipped with dual capabilities of catalytic propulsion and accurate magnetic guidance. Through precisely tuning the localization regions of catalysts within the micromotors, the streamlined hydrogel micromotors not only exhibit enhanced propelling efficiency, but also accomplish distinct motion patterns of run and tumble. The design provides insights for developing advanced micromotors capable of executing intricate tasks across diverse application scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Luan
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Peter F Kuijken
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Wen Chen
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Danni Wang
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Levy A Charleston
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela A Wilson
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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4
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Cui H, Pan W, Li T, Shen X, Chang Y, Pang W, Duan X. Rapid purification and enrichment of viral particles using self-propelled micromotors. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:17105-17112. [PMID: 37850316 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02812g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Virus infections remain one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current gold standard approach for diagnosing pathogens requires access to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology. However, separation and enrichment of the targets from complex and diluted samples remains a major challenge. In this work, we proposed a micromotor-based sample preparation concept for the efficient separation and concentration of target viral particles before PCR. The micromotors are functionalized with antibodies with a 3D polymer linker and are capable of self-propulsion by the catalytic generation of oxygen bubbles for selective and positive virus enrichment. This strategy significantly improves the enrichment efficiency and recovery rate of virus (up to 80% at 104 tu mL-1 in a 1 mL volume within just 6 min) without external mixing equipment. The method allows the Ct value in regular PCR tests to appear 6-7 cycles earlier and a detection limit of 1 tu mL-1 for the target virus from swap samples. A point-of-need test kit is designed based on the micromotors which can be readily applied to pretreat a large volume of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haipeng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Wenwei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Tiechuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Xiaotian Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Ye Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Wei Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
| | - Xuexin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
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5
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Huang D, Cai L, Li N, Zhao Y. Ultrasound-trigged micro/nanorobots for biomedical applications. SMART MEDICINE 2023; 2:e20230003. [PMID: 39188275 PMCID: PMC11235770 DOI: 10.1002/smmd.20230003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Micro- and nanorobots (MNRs) propelled by external actuations have broad potential in biomedical applications. Among the numerous external excitations, ultrasound (US) features outstanding practical significance with merits of its noninvasiveness, tunability, penetrability, and biocompatibility. Attributing to various physiochemical effects of US, it can propel the MNRs with sophisticated structures through asymmetric acoustic streaming, bubble oscillation, and so on. In this review, we introduce several advanced and representative US-propelled MNRs with inhomogeneous density distribution, asymmetric shape, hollow cavity, etc. The potential biomedical applications of these cutting-edge MNRs are also presented, including intracellular delivery, harmful substances collection, and so on. Furthermore, we conclude the advantages and limitations of US-propelled MNRs and prospect their future developments in multidisciplinary fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqing Huang
- Institute of Translational MedicineNanjing Drum Tower HospitalMedical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lijun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Institute of Translational MedicineNanjing Drum Tower HospitalMedical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
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6
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Guan Y, Wang X, Wang Q, Kong B, Yuan M, Zhang S, Huang J, Wang R, Wu Z, Wang Z, Zhao Y, Li W, Liu G. Fabrication and Separation of EGaIn Microparticles from Human Blood Based on Dielectrophoresis Force and a W-Type Electrode. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:3151-3161. [PMID: 36791311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Harmful particles such as heavy metal particles in the human body can cause many problems such as kidney stones, gallstones, and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, it is critical to separate them from the blood and perform a systematic analysis as early as possible. Here, we apply eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) microparticles as a model to study the separation of particles from blood, thanks to their properties of low toxicity, excellent degradability, and negligible vapor pressure. In particular, the dielectrophoresis (DEP) separation method is employed to separate EGaIn of different sizes and characteristics in blood. First, the screen-printing method is used to create EGaIn microparticles with diameters of 15, 23, 18, and 11 μm. According to the lifetime test, these microparticles can last more than 1 month, as evidenced by their surface oxidation characteristics. Moreover, a DEP platform with W-type electrodes is developed to sort EGaIn particles from whole human blood. The results show that a sorting efficiency of 95% can be attained, which is similar to the separation efficiency of 98% achieved by finite element analysis (FEA) using COMSOL software based on the orthogonal array experiment method. The proposed study successfully validates the use of the DEP method to separate particles from human blood, providing insights into heavy metal particle separating, drug screening, and cell sorting and potentially broadening the applications in environmental analysis, food engineering, and bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Guan
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Engineering Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Henan Province, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qilong Wang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Bingru Kong
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Maosen Yuan
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shukai Zhang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jiangchao Huang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ran Wang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zaihui Wu
- Zhengzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zongcai Wang
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yimo Zhao
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wujie Li
- School of Electromechanical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Guangyu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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7
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Wang H, Zhang H, Xie Z, Chen K, Ma M, Huang Y, Li M, Cai Z, Wang P, Shen H. Injectable hydrogels for spinal cord injury repair. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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8
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Flexible on-chip droplet generation, switching and splitting via controllable hydrodynamics. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1229:340363. [PMID: 36156234 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340363] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Flexible droplet preparation and manipulation are significant for lots applications such as immunoreaction and monocellular culture. Herein, we present a novel method for effective on-chip droplet generation, splitting and switching via controllable hydrodynamics. The microchannel of the designed chip has 6 inlets and 3 three outlets. The water solution is injected from a specific inlet (inlet d), and the other 5 inlets are used to inject oil fluids. Under the shearing effect of immiscible oils, the water phase breaks into dispersed droplets first, and the generated droplets can be further split into daughter drops or switched into side outlets from the middle outlet. To investigate the hydrodynamic droplet manipulation behaviors, a two-dimensional simulation model based on phase-field method is established. Utilizing the computational model, we systematically analyze the influences of the flow rates of continuous and dispersed fluids and the manipulation modes on droplet generation, splitting and switching. The numerical results indicate that the droplets can be generated with controlled sizes. For instance, at Qd = 5 μL/min and Qc1,2 = 5 μL/min, the droplet diameter decreases from 89.2 μm to 49.2 μm as Qs1,2 gradually rises from 15 μL/min to 40 μL/min. Moreover, the prepared droplets can realize on-demand splitting and switching. When Qd, Qc1,2, and Qs1,2 are fixed at 5 μL/min, 5 μL/min and 25 μL/min, respectively, the generated droplet is split into different proportional daughter drops with the rising of Qs3 (or Qs4) at first, and finally it is switched into the side-outlets when Qs3 (or Qs4) is higher than 80 μL/min. Therefore, this proposed droplet manipulation approach will be promising for various applications, and the numerical simulations can provide useful guidelines on the design and operation of droplet-based microfluidic systems.
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9
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Zhang Q, Liu J, Wu Y. Enzyme Cascade Reaction Propelled Multicompartmental Colloidal Motors. Chem Asian J 2022; 17:e202200560. [PMID: 35761116 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Compartmentalization is a crucial natural methodology to enable multiple biocatalytic transformations to proceed efficiently. Herein, we report a biocompatible multicompartmental colloidal motor that can achieve autonomous movement in the biological environment through two-enzyme cascade reactions of immobilized enzymes. The colloidal motors with the heterogeneous multicompartment structure were prepared in one step by microfluidic technology, and the compartmentalized encapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) was realized. The fabricated colloidal motor was size controllable by tuning the flow rates of the microfluidic system, and its autonomous movement can be triggered by good responsiveness to the alkaline environment. In glucose medium of pH 7.5, the pH-responsive alginate cores of the colloidal motor swell to facilitate fuel penetration and enzyme-catalyzed reactions. The enzyme cascade between GOD and CAT immobilized in the colloidal motor chamber results in the self-propulsion of the colloid motor in glucose medium. The compartmentalized encapsulation of immobilized enzyme improves the stability of the enzyme and enables multicompartmental colloidal motors to self-propel in an alkaline intestinal environment through an enzyme cascade reaction. These features indicate that such multicompartmental colloidal motors actuated by enzyme cascade reaction in biocompatible fuel have great potential for co-encapsulation and autonomous movement in different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihan Zhang
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, CHINA
| | - Jun Liu
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, CHINA
| | - Yingjie Wu
- Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Medicine and Health, No. 92 XiDaZhi Street, 150001, Harbin, CHINA
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10
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Liu Y, Cheng Y, Zhao C, Wang H, Zhao Y. Nanomotor-Derived Porous Biomedical Particles from Droplet Microfluidics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104272. [PMID: 34816629 PMCID: PMC8811803 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Porous particles have found widespread applications in therapeutic diagnosis, drug delivery, and tissue engineering due to their typical properties of large surface area, extensive loading capacity, and hierarchical microstructures. Attempts in this aspect are focusing on the development of effective methods to generate functional porous particles. Herein, a simple droplet microfluidics for continuously and directly generating porous particles by introducing bubble-propelled nanomotors into the system is presented. As the nanomotors can continuously generate gas bubbles in the unsolidified droplet templates, the desirable porous microparticles can be obtained after droplet polymerization. It is demonstrated that the generation process is highly controlled and the resultant microparticles show excellent porosity and monodispersity. In addition, the obtained porous microparticles can serve as microcarriers for 3D cell culture, because of their characteristic porous structures and favorable biocompatibility. Moreover, owing to the existence of oxygen in these microparticles, they can be used to improve the healing effects of wounds in the type I diabetes rat models. These remarkable features of the generation strategy and the porous microparticles point to their potential values in various biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyInstitute of Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008China
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyInstitute of Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008China
- Department of Vascular SurgeryThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyInstitute of Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008China
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Huan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyInstitute of Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing210008China
- State Key Laboratory of BioelectronicsSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
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11
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Chakraborty R, Maiti A, Sharma N, Dey KK. Active matter dynamics in confined microfluidic environments. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 186:245-265. [PMID: 35033287 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The field of active matter is a nascent area of research in soft condensed matter physics, which is drawing on the expertise of researchers from diverse disciplines. Small scale active particles-both inorganic and biological-display non-trivial emergent dynamics and interactions that could help us understand complex biological processes and phenomena. Recently, using microfluidic technologies, several research groups have performed important experimental and theoretical studies to understand the behavior of self-propelled particles and molecular active matter within confined environments-to glean a fundamental understanding of the cellular processes occurring under ultra-low Reynolds number conditions. In this chapter, we would like to review applications of microfluidics in active matter research, highlighting a few important theoretical and experimental investigations. We will conclude the discussion with a note on the future of this field mentioning a few open questions that are at the forefront of our minds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rik Chakraborty
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Arnab Maiti
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Nikita Sharma
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Krishna Kanti Dey
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
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12
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Zhang C, Wang Y, Chen Y, Ma X, Chen W. Droplet-Based Microfluidic Preparation of Shape-Variable Alginate Hydrogel Magnetic Micromotors. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 12:115. [PMID: 35010065 PMCID: PMC8796028 DOI: 10.3390/nano12010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This article introduces a facile droplet-based microfluidic method for the preparation of Fe3O4-incorporated alginate hydrogel magnetic micromotors with variable shapes. By using droplet-based microfluidics and water diffusion, monodisperse (quasi-)spherical microparticles of sodium alginate and Fe3O4 (Na-Alg/Fe3O4) are obtained. The diameter varies from 31.9 to 102.7 µm with the initial concentration of Na-Alginate in dispersed fluid ranging from 0.09 to 9 mg/mL. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) is used for gelation, immediately transforming Na-Alg/Fe3O4 microparticles into Ca-Alginate hydrogel microparticles incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticles, i.e., Ca-Alg/Fe3O4 micromotors. Spherical, droplet-like, and worm-like shapes are yielded depending on the concentration of CaCl2, which is explained by crosslinking and anisotropic swelling during the gelation. The locomotion of Ca-Alg/Fe3O4 micromotors is activated by applying external magnetic fields. Under the rotating magnetic field (5 mT, 1-15 Hz), spherical Ca-Alg/Fe3O4 micromotors exhibit an average advancing velocity up to 158.2 ± 8.6 µm/s, whereas worm-like Ca-Alg/Fe3O4 micromotors could be rotated for potential advancing. Under the magnetic field gradient (3 T/m), droplet-like Ca-Alg/Fe3O4 micromotors are pulled forward with the average velocity of 70.7 ± 2.8 µm/s. This article provides an inspiring and timesaving approach for the preparation of shape-variable hydrogel micromotors without using complex patterns or sophisticated facilities, which holds potential for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xing Ma
- Sauvage Laboratory for Smart Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Wenjun Chen
- Sauvage Laboratory for Smart Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; (C.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.C.)
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13
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Zhu P, Wang L. Microfluidics-Enabled Soft Manufacture of Materials with Tailorable Wettability. Chem Rev 2021; 122:7010-7060. [PMID: 34918913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidics and wettability are interrelated and mutually reinforcing fields, experiencing synergistic growth. Surface wettability is paramount in regulating microfluidic flows for processing and manipulating fluids at the microscale. Microfluidics, in turn, has emerged as a versatile platform for tailoring the wettability of materials. We present a critical review on the microfluidics-enabled soft manufacture (MESM) of materials with well-controlled wettability and their multidisciplinary applications. Microfluidics provides a variety of liquid templates for engineering materials with exquisite composition and morphology, laying the foundation for precisely controlling the wettability. Depending on the degree of ordering, liquid templates are divided into individual droplets, one-dimensional (1D) arrays, and two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) assemblies for the modular fabrication of microparticles, microfibers, and monolithic porous materials, respectively. Future exploration of MESM will enrich the diversity of chemical composition and physical structure for wettability control and thus markedly broaden the application horizons across engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This review aims to systematize this emerging yet robust technology, with the hope of aiding the realization of its full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingan Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liqiu Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Zhang K, Ren Y, Jiang T, Jiang H. Flexible fabrication of lipophilic-hydrophilic micromotors by off-chip photopolymerization of three-phase immiscible flow induced Janus droplet templates. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1182:338955. [PMID: 34602209 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Self-propelled microparticles are promising for lots of applications ranging from analytical detection to water treatment. Herein, we present an effective approach to fabricate lipophilic-hydrophilic micromotors via the photocuring of three-phase immiscible flow induced droplet templates. In the microfluidic system, two immiscible inner fluids, the lipophilic 1, 6-Hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), and the hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), are simultaneously injected into a theta-shaped cylindrical capillary from two separate inlets, and they are emulsified into Janus drops when encountering the outer immiscible silicone oil. Because of the immiscible feature of droplet templates, off-chip photopolymerization strategy has been used, which can significantly decrease the blocking chance of microdevice. And also, the lipophilic-hydrophilic structure of droplets is convenient for the loading of cargos with different characteristics. More importantly, the size and configuration of droplet templates can be flexibly regulated by changing the flow rates of three different phases. Accordingly, multifunctional micromotors can be fabricated by adding different nanoparticles and materials into the HDDA or PEGDA phase first and then photocuring the droplets. Taking the bubble-propelled micromotors for example, we prepare microswimmers by loading Ag, TiO2 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the PEGDA phase. The swimming behaviors of micromotors in H2O2 solution are systematically investigated, finding that the proportion of PEGDA phase and the concentration of H2O2 both positively affect the moving speed. Furthermore, the applicability of motor particles on water treatment is successfully demonstrated by using neutral red solution as the model pollutant. And the micromotors can be recycled using magnets after the catalytic degradation process. Therefore, this micromotor generation technique and this kind of micromotor can be attractive for many applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailiang Zhang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, PR China
| | - Yukun Ren
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, PR China.
| | - Tianyi Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, PR China
| | - Hongyuan Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150001, PR China.
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15
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Naeem S, Naeem F, Mujtaba J, Shukla AK, Mitra S, Huang G, Gulina L, Rudakovskaya P, Cui J, Tolstoy V, Gorin D, Mei Y, Solovev AA, Dey KK. Oxygen Generation Using Catalytic Nano/Micromotors. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1251. [PMID: 34683302 PMCID: PMC8541545 DOI: 10.3390/mi12101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous oxygen plays a vital role in driving the metabolism of living organisms and has multiple agricultural, medical, and technological applications. Different methods have been discovered to produce oxygen, including plants, oxygen concentrators and catalytic reactions. However, many such approaches are relatively expensive, involve challenges, complexities in post-production processes or generate undesired reaction products. Catalytic oxygen generation using hydrogen peroxide is one of the simplest and cleanest methods to produce oxygen in the required quantities. Chemically powered micro/nanomotors, capable of self-propulsion in liquid media, offer convenient and economic platforms for on-the-fly generation of gaseous oxygen on demand. Micromotors have opened up opportunities for controlled oxygen generation and transport under complex conditions, critical medical diagnostics and therapy. Mobile oxygen micro-carriers help better understand the energy transduction efficiencies of micro/nanoscopic active matter by careful selection of catalytic materials, fuel compositions and concentrations, catalyst surface curvatures and catalytic particle size, which opens avenues for controllable oxygen release on the level of a single catalytic microreactor. This review discusses various micro/nanomotor systems capable of functioning as mobile oxygen generators while highlighting their features, efficiencies and application potentials in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumayyah Naeem
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Farah Naeem
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jawayria Mujtaba
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Ashish Kumar Shukla
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Shirsendu Mitra
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Gaoshan Huang
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Larisa Gulina
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii Prospect, Petergof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (L.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Polina Rudakovskaya
- Center of Photonics & Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str., 121205 Moscow, Russia; (P.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Jizhai Cui
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Valeri Tolstoy
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskii Prospect, Petergof, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (L.G.); (V.T.)
| | - Dmitry Gorin
- Center of Photonics & Quantum Materials, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobelya Str., 121205 Moscow, Russia; (P.R.); (D.G.)
| | - Yongfeng Mei
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Alexander A. Solovev
- Department of Materials Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; (S.N.); (F.N.); (J.M.); (G.H.); (J.C.); (Y.M.)
| | - Krishna Kanti Dey
- Discipline of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj 382355, Gujarat, India; (A.K.S.); (S.M.)
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16
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Baki A, Wiekhorst F, Bleul R. Advances in Magnetic Nanoparticles Engineering for Biomedical Applications-A Review. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:134. [PMID: 34677207 PMCID: PMC8533261 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) have been developed and applied for a broad range of biomedical applications, such as diagnostic imaging, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, gene therapy and tissue repair. As one key element, reproducible synthesis routes of MNPs are capable of controlling and adjusting structure, size, shape and magnetic properties are mandatory. In this review, we discuss advanced methods for engineering and utilizing MNPs, such as continuous synthesis approaches using microtechnologies and the biosynthesis of magnetosomes, biotechnological synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles from bacteria. We compare the technologies and resulting MNPs with conventional synthetic routes. Prominent biomedical applications of the MNPs such as diagnostic imaging, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery and magnetic actuation in micro/nanorobots will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkader Baki
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Straße 18-20, 55129 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Frank Wiekhorst
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestraße 2-12, 10587 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Regina Bleul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM, Carl-Zeiss-Straße 18-20, 55129 Mainz, Germany;
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17
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Liang Z, Tu Y, Peng F. Polymeric Micro/Nanomotors and Their Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100720. [PMID: 34110714 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since their naissance in the 2000s, various micro or nanomotors with powerful functions have been proposed. Among them, polymer-based micro or nanomotors stand out for the easy processing and facile functionalization, holding immense potential for bioapplications. In this review, fabrication of polymer-based micro or nanomotors and their applications in biomedical areas are covered. Classic manufacturing approaches as well as cutting-edge techniques are discussed with representative works highlighted. Current challenges and future prospects are presented in the hope of pointing new research directions to facilitate practical translations of micro/nanomotors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Liang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Yingfeng Tu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening Southern Medical University Guangzhou 510515 China
| | - Fei Peng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
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Liu J, Fu D, Wang K, Yuan Y, Deng Y, Shi L, Li M, Zhou C, Lu X, Lv Q, Wang G, Wang L, Wang Z. Improving regorafenib's organ target precision via nano-assembly to change its delivery mode abolishes chemoresistance and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 607:229-241. [PMID: 34500422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.08.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Distant metastases and chemotherapy repellency are the key causes of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related mortality. Regorafenib, an oral multi-kinase inhibitor approved for treating advanced CRC with distant metastases and/or chemo-resistance, however only improves median overall survival by 1.4 months. Such limited therapeutic effect is likely due to the low bioavailability of orally administered hydrophobic regorafenib. A regorafenib nanodrug is fabricated by one-step self-assembly with a clinically often-used fluorescent agent (indocyanine green) for overcoming regorafenib's limitations, towards improving regorafenib's therapeutic efficacy in advanced CRC. This nanodrug (nanoRF) was characterized, and its antitumor effects were assessed in three preclinical CRC models. NanoRF converts regorafenib's delivery approach from oral to intravenous with a significantly high encapsulation efficacy of regorafenib (96%) and a long-time colloidal stability. Nanodrug (nanoRF) markedly prolongs regorafenib's blood circulation by halving clearance rate, and enhances regorafenib's tumor accumulation. Across three preclinical CRC models (xenografted tumor, chemodrug-resistant xenografted tumor, and liver metastasis), nanoRF drastically enhances regorafenib's tumor inhibiting efficacy by 0.5-4 folds and effectively extends survival by 0.5-5 folds. This regorafenib nanodrug is a simple, safe, and efficient therapeutic nanodrug for treating advanced CRC with a ready-to-be-clinically-translated potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Daan Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Hubei Province Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Station, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yan Deng
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Mingyi Li
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaohuan Lu
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qiying Lv
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Guobin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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19
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Sharan P, Nsamela A, Lesher-Pérez SC, Simmchen J. Microfluidics for Microswimmers: Engineering Novel Swimmers and Constructing Swimming Lanes on the Microscale, a Tutorial Review. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2007403. [PMID: 33949106 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202007403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides an updated review of recent advances in microfluidics applied to artificial and biohybrid microswimmers. Sharing the common regime of low Reynolds number, the two fields have been brought together to take advantage of the fluid characteristics at the microscale, benefitting microswimmer research multifold. First, microfluidics offer simple and relatively low-cost devices for high-fidelity production of microswimmers made of organic and inorganic materials in a variety of shapes and sizes. Microscale confinement and the corresponding fluid properties have demonstrated differential microswimmer behaviors in microchannels or in the presence of various types of physical or chemical stimuli. Custom environments to study these behaviors have been designed in large part with the help of microfluidics. Evaluating microswimmers in increasingly complex lab environments such as microfluidic systems can ensure more effective implementation for in-field applications. The benefits of microfluidics for the fabrication and evaluation of microswimmers are balanced by the potential use of microswimmers for sample manipulation and processing in microfluidic systems, a large obstacle in diagnostic and other testing platforms. In this review various ways in which these two complementary technology fields will enhance microswimmer development and implementation in various fields are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sharan
- Chair of Physical Chemistry, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Juliane Simmchen
- Chair of Physical Chemistry, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
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20
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Song R, Cho S, Shin S, Kim H, Lee J. From shaping to functionalization of micro-droplets and particles. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2021; 3:3395-3416. [PMID: 36133725 PMCID: PMC9419121 DOI: 10.1039/d1na00276g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The structure of microdroplet and microparticle is a critical factor in their functionality, which determines the distribution and sequence of physicochemical reactions. Therefore, the technology of precisely tailoring their shape is requisite for implementing the user demand functions in various applications. This review highlights various methodologies for droplet shaping, classified into passive and active approaches based on whether additional body forces are applied to droplets to manipulate their functions and fabricate them into microparticles. The passive approaches cover batch emulsification, solvent evaporation and diffusion, micromolding, and microfluidic methods. In active approaches, the external forces, such as electrical and magnetic fields or optical lithography, are applied to microdroplets. Special attention is also given to latest technologies using microdroplets and microparticles, especially in the fields of biological, optical, robotic, and environmental applications. Finally, this review aims to address the advantages and disadvantages of the introduced approaches and suggests the direction for further development in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryungeun Song
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Seongsu Cho
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Seonghun Shin
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
| | - Hyejeong Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University Seoul 02841 Korea
| | - Jinkee Lee
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 16419 Korea
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21
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Core–Shell Droplet Generation Device Using a Flexural Bolt-Clamped Langevin-Type Ultrasonic Transducer. ACTUATORS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/act10030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Droplets with a core–shell structure formed from two immiscible liquids are used in various industrial field owing to their useful physical and chemical characteristics. Efficient generation of uniform core–shell droplets plays an important role in terms of productivity. In this study, monodisperse core-shell droplets were efficiently generated using a flexural bolt-clamped Langevin-type transducer and two micropore plates. Water and silicone oil were used as core and shell phases, respectively, to form core–shell droplets in air. When the applied pressure of the core phase, the applied pressure of the shell phase, and the vibration velocity in the micropore were 200 kPa, 150 kPa, and 8.2 mm/s, respectively, the average diameter and coefficient of variation of the droplets were 207.7 μm and 1.6%, respectively. A production rate of 29,000 core–shell droplets per second was achieved. This result shows that the developed device is effective for generating monodisperse core–shell droplets.
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22
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Zhang K, Ren Y, Zhao M, Jiang T, Hou L, Jiang H. Flexible Microswimmer Manipulation in Multiple Microfluidic Systems Utilizing Thermal Buoyancy-Capillary Convection. Anal Chem 2021; 93:2560-2569. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kailiang Zhang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Yukun Ren
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Meiying Zhao
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Tianyi Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Likai Hou
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
| | - Hongyuan Jiang
- School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China
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Chen L, Zhang MJ, Zhang SY, Shi L, Yang YM, Liu Z, Ju XJ, Xie R, Wang W, Chu LY. Simple and Continuous Fabrication of Self-Propelled Micromotors with Photocatalytic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Synergistic Environmental Remediation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:35120-35131. [PMID: 32648440 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This work reports on a simple and general strategy for continuous fabrication of self-propelled micromotors with photocatalytic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for enhanced synergistic degradation of organic contaminants. With emulsion microdroplets from microfluidics as templates, uniform porous micromotors decorated with Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles (Fe3O4@AgNPs) at the bottom and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@ZnO nanoparticles (ZIF-8@ZnONPs) on the surface can be synthesized. The spatial location of ZIF-8@ZnONPs and Fe3O4@AgNPs in micromotors is accurately controlled in one step via their directional migration in the confined microspace of emulsion droplets driven by interfacial energy and magnetic field. The nanoengines Fe3O4@AgNPs enable asymmetric decomposition of H2O2 for bubble-propelled motion and easy magnetic recycling of the micromotor. The porous structures of micromotors provide a large surface area, benefiting decoration of Fe3O4@AgNPs and their contact with H2O2 for promoting bubble generation and reduced micromotor weight for promoting bubble-propelled motion. The nanophotocatalysts ZIF-8@ZnONPs allow enrichment of organic contaminant molecules via adsorption for efficient photocatalytic degradation. With synergistic coupling of the photocatalysis of ZIF-8@ZnONPs and advanced oxidation of the H2O2/UV system, the micromotors with bubble-propelled motion for improved mixing can achieve enhanced degradation of organic contaminants via dual synergistic degradation mechanisms. As highlighted by degradation of rhodamine B, the micromotors exhibit the highest degradation performance as compared to control groups with a single degradation mechanism and with dual degradation mechanisms but without self-propelled motion. This simple fabrication strategy is general and can be flexibly extended to other MOF materials, which may open up new avenues for developing advanced MOF-integrated micromotors for myriad applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Mao-Jie Zhang
- College of Engineering, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610101, P. R. China
| | - Shi-Yuan Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Lu Shi
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Min Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Jie Ju
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Rui Xie
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Liang-Yin Chu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
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Zhao X, Bian F, Sun L, Cai L, Li L, Zhao Y. Microfluidic Generation of Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1901943. [PMID: 31259464 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201901943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
As nanomaterials (NMs) possess attractive physicochemical properties that are strongly related to their specific sizes and morphologies, they are becoming one of the most desirable components in the fields of drug delivery, biosensing, bioimaging, and tissue engineering. By choosing an appropriate methodology that allows for accurate control over the reaction conditions, not only can NMs with high quality and rapid production rate be generated, but also designing composite and efficient products for therapy and diagnosis in nanomedicine can be realized. Recent evidence implies that microfluidic technology offers a promising platform for the synthesis of NMs by easy manipulation of fluids in microscale channels. In this Review, a comprehensive set of developments in the field of microfluidics for generating two main classes of NMs, including nanoparticles and nanofibers, and their various potentials in biomedical applications are summarized. Furthermore, the major challenges in this area and opinions on its future developments are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, P. R. China
| | - Feika Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Lijun Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
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Zhang X, Sun L, Yu Y, Zhao Y. Flexible Ferrofluids: Design and Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1903497. [PMID: 31583782 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201903497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ferrofluids, also known as ferromagnetic particle suspensions, are materials with an excellent magnetic response, which have attracted increasing interest in both industrial production and scientific research areas. Because of their outstanding features, such as rapid magnetic reaction, flexible flowability, as well as tunable optical and thermal properties, ferrofluids have found applications in various fields, including material science, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering. Here, a comprehensive, in-depth insight into the diverse applications of ferrofluids from material fabrication, droplet manipulation, and biomedicine to energy and machinery is provided. Design of ferrofluid-related devices, recent developments, as well as present challenges and future prospects are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Lingyu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yunru Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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Zhu Z, Huang F, Yang C, Si T, Xu RX. On-Demand Generation of Double Emulsions Based on Interface Shearing for Controlled Ultrasound Activation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:40932-40943. [PMID: 31589392 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b15182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive microcarriers (SRMs) based on multiple emulsions can be widely used in advanced drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing, and cell biology. Here a simple and effective compound interface shearing (CIS) method is proposed to one-step produce SRMs for controlled ultrasound (US) activation. In the CIS process, a coaxial needle supplying the core and shell liquids vibrates periodically across a free gas-liquid surface, resulting in the pinch-off of a compound liquid neck for on-demand generation of multiple emulsions. The CIS process is free of confined walls with a pure interface shearing mechanism. Perfectly uniform SRMs with tunable core-shell volume ratios can be produced, following a scaling law of their size as a function of the liquid flow rates and the vibration frequency. US- and magnetic-responsive microcapsules are prepared for magnetic-guided site-targeting delivery, and acid-aided sequential US activation realizes the synergistic delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic payloads. It can be concluded that the CIS technique is able to generate multifunctional SRMs at low cost, high uniformity, high flexibility, and effective process control for various fields of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ronald X Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
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Ruvalcaba-Cardenas AD, Thurgood P, Chen S, Khoshmanesh K, Tovar-Lopez FJ. Droplet on Soft Shuttle: Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Actuation of Small Droplets. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:39283-39291. [PMID: 31547643 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b10796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Here, we introduce the novel concept of a "soft shuttle" for transportation, manipulation, and diffusion studies of small liquid droplets using electrowetting on the dielectric mechanism. This method enables manipulation of droplets several times smaller than the electrode size and, importantly, minimizes evaporation, contamination, and exposure of the sample to high voltages. We demonstrate various modes of droplet loading, transporting, and unloading. Using advanced imaging processing techniques, we obtained detailed information about the shuttle and droplet centroids. Furthermore, varying water concentration on the soft shuttle allows for modulation of the diffusion kinetics of samples into the shuttle, which also can be controlled with soft shuttle actuation velocity. We believe that this novel approach for the manipulation of droplets will advance the field of droplet-based open microfluidics and can be potentially useful for applications in biotechnology, diagnostics, or analytical chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Thurgood
- School of Engineering , RMIT University , Melbourne , VIC 3000 , Australia
| | - Sheng Chen
- School of Engineering , RMIT University , Melbourne , VIC 3000 , Australia
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28
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Micromotors from Microfluidics. Chem Asian J 2019; 14:2417-2430. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201900290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Ren M, Guo W, Guo H, Ren X. Microfluidic Fabrication of Bubble-Propelled Micromotors for Wastewater Treatment. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:22761-22767. [PMID: 31203603 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Bubble-propelled micromotors with controllable shapes and sizes have been developed by a microfluidic method, which serves for effective wastewater treatment. Using the emulsion from microfluidics as the template, monodisperse micromotors can be fabricated in large quantities based on phase separation and UV-induced monomer polymerization. By adjusting the volume ratio of the two immiscible oils (ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate/paraffin oil) in the initial emulsion, the geometry of the resulting micromotor can be precisely controlled from nearly spherical, hemispherical to crescent-shaped. The size of the micromotor can be manipulated by varying the fluid flow parameters. In addition, by incorporating functional nanoparticles into the asymmetric structure, the micromotor can be functionalized flexibly for water remediation. In this research, Fe3O4 and MnO2 nanoparticles were successfully loaded on Janus micromotors. Fe3O4 nanoparticles can act as catalysts for pollutant degradation and also control the movement direction of micromotors. MnO2 nanoparticles on the concave of the micromotor catalyzed H2O2 to produce bubble propulsion motion in solution, which further enhanced the degradation of pollutants. Consequently, the obtained micromotor demonstrated effective degradation of methylene blue and can be easily recovered by magnets. Furthermore, this simple and flexible strategy offers a synthetic way for anisotropic Janus particles, which will broaden their potential application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Ren
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment , University of Jinan , Jinan 250022 , China
| | - Weilin Guo
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment , University of Jinan , Jinan 250022 , China
| | - Huaisu Guo
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment , University of Jinan , Jinan 250022 , China
| | - Xiaohua Ren
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment , University of Jinan , Jinan 250022 , China
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Tang G, Xiong R, Lv D, Xu RX, Braeckmans K, Huang C, De Smedt SC. Gas-Shearing Fabrication of Multicompartmental Microspheres: A One-Step and Oil-Free Approach. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1802342. [PMID: 31065527 PMCID: PMC6498303 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201802342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartmental microparticles (MCMs) have attracted considerable attention in biomedical engineering and materials sciences, as they can carry multiple materials in the separated phases of a single particle. However, the robust fabrication of monodisperse, highly compartmental MCMs at the micro- and nanoscales remains challenging. Here, a simple one-step and oil-free process, based on the gas-flow-assisted formation of microdroplets ("gas-shearing"), is established for the scalable production of monodisperse MCMs. By changing the configuration of the needle system and gas flow in the spray ejector device, the oil-free gas-shearing process easily allows the design of microparticles consisting of two, four, six, and even eight compartments with a precise control over the properties of each compartment. As oils and surfactants are not used, the gas-shearing method is highly cytocompatible. The versatile applications of such MCMs are demonstrated by producing a magnetic microrobot and a biocompatible carrier for the coculturing of cells. This research suggests that the oil-free gas-shearing strategy is a reliable, scalable, and biofriendly process for producing MCMs that may become attractive materials for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosheng Tang
- College of Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Lab of Biomass‐based Green Fuels and ChemicalsNanjing Forestry University (NFU)Nanjing210037P. R. China
| | - Ranhua Xiong
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical PharmacyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent UniversityOttergemsesteenweg 4609000GhentBelgium
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision InstrumentationUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230022P. R. China
| | - Dan Lv
- College of Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Lab of Biomass‐based Green Fuels and ChemicalsNanjing Forestry University (NFU)Nanjing210037P. R. China
| | - Ronald X. Xu
- Department of Precision Machinery and Precision InstrumentationUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei230022P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOH43210USA
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical PharmacyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent UniversityOttergemsesteenweg 4609000GhentBelgium
| | - Chaobo Huang
- College of Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Lab of Biomass‐based Green Fuels and ChemicalsNanjing Forestry University (NFU)Nanjing210037P. R. China
| | - Stefaan C. De Smedt
- College of Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Lab of Biomass‐based Green Fuels and ChemicalsNanjing Forestry University (NFU)Nanjing210037P. R. China
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical PharmacyFaculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesGhent UniversityOttergemsesteenweg 4609000GhentBelgium
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