1
|
Wang D, Jin K, Ji J, Hu C, Du M, Belgaid Y, Shi S, Li J, Hu S, Nathan A, Yu J, Ma H. Active-matrix digital microfluidics design for field programmable high-throughput digitalized liquid handling. iScience 2024; 27:109324. [PMID: 38706854 PMCID: PMC11067379 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Digital liquid sample handling is an enabling tool for cutting-edge life-sciences research. We present here an active-matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) based digital microfluidics system, referred to as Field Programmable Droplet Array (FPDA). The system contains 256 × 256 pixels in an active area of 10.65 cm2, which can manipulate thousands of addressable liquid droplets simultaneously. By leveraging a novel TFT device and circuits design solution, we manage to programmatically manipulate droplets at single-pixel level. The minimum achievable droplet volume is around 0.5 nL, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than the smallest droplet ever reported on active-matrix digital microfluidics. The movement of droplets can be either pre-programmed or controlled in real-time. The FPDA system shows great potential of the ubiquitous thin-film electronics technology in digital liquid handling. These efforts will make it possible to create a true programmable lab-on-a-chip device to enable great advances in life science research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongping Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Kai Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Jiajian Ji
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, P.R. China
| | - Chenxuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Maohua Du
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
| | | | - Subao Shi
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
| | - Jiahao Li
- ACX Instruments Ltd, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Siyi Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
| | - Arokia Nathan
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P.R. China
| | - Jun Yu
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, P.R. China
| | - Hanbin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, P.R. China
- Guangdong ACXEL Micro & Nano Tech Co., Ltd, Foshan 528000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Q, Zhang P, Ye Z, Zhang H, Sun X, Gui L. A liquid metal based, integrated parallel electroosmotic micropump cluster drive system. LAB ON A CHIP 2024. [PMID: 38263786 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00926b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The application of liquid metal in a microfluidic system enables the fabrication of highly integrated on-chip electroosmotic micropumps (EOPs). In this work, a low-voltage driveable integrated parallel EOP cluster drive system is proposed. This system consists of two layers, a branch-channel layer and a trunk-channel layer. The lower branch-channel layer contains separate parallel pumping channels and a pair of comb liquid metal electrodes. The separated branch channels are connected together through the trunk channels in the upper layer. With this structural arrangement, the parallel micropumps form an integrated micropump cluster for larger pumping capacity. The distance between the pumping channel and the electrode next to it is controlled to 20 μm. To guide the pump design, parametric studies are performed and fully discussed. According to the experimental results, the micropump cluster can be driven at a low voltage of 0.5 V, and the flow rate reaches 274 nL min-1 at 5 V. In addition, the paper finally proposes an electrode protection strategy and an integrated pump-valve drive system which is expected to solve the shortcoming of electroosmotic pumps in terms of long-time storage and driving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zi Ye
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lin Gui
- Liquid Metal and Cryogenic Biomedical Research Center, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 29 Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China.
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tavari T, Meamardoost S, Sepehry N, Akbarzadeh P, Nazari M, Hashemi NN, Nazari M. Effects of 3D electrodes arrangement in a novel AC electroosmotic micropump: Numerical modeling and experimental validation. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:450-461. [PMID: 36448415 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
To date, a comprehensive systematic optimization framework, capable of accurately predicting an efficient electrode geometry, is not available. Here, different geometries, including 3D step electrodes, have been designed in order to fabricate AC electroosmosis micropumps. It is essential to optimize both geometrical parameters of electrode, such as width and height of steps on each base electrode and their location in one pair, the size of each base electrode (symmetric or asymmetric), the gap of electrode pairs, and nongeometrical parameters such as fluid flow in a channel and electrical characteristics (e.g., frequency and voltage). The governing equations comprising of electric domain and fluid domain have been coupled using finite element method. The developed model was employed to investigate the effect of electrode geometric parameters on electroosmotic slip velocity and its subsequent effect on pressure and flow rate. Numerical simulation indicates that the optimal performance can be achieved using a design with varying step height and displacement, at a given voltage (2.5 V) and frequency (1 kHz). Finally, in order to validate the numerical simulation, the optimal microchip was fabricated using a combination of photolithography, electroplating, and a polydimethylsiloxane microchannel. Our results indicate that our micropump is capable of generating a pressure, velocity, and flow rate of 74.2 Pa, 1.76 mm/s, and 14.8 µl/min, respectively. This result reveals that our proposed geometry outperforms the state-of-the-art micropumps previously reported in the literature by improving the fluid velocity by 32%, with 80% less electrodes per unit length, and whereas the channel length is ∼80% shorter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Tavari
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Saber Meamardoost
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Naserodin Sepehry
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Pooria Akbarzadeh
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Mostafa Nazari
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| | - Nicole N Hashemi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Mohsen Nazari
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Annese VF, Hu C. Integrating Microfluidics and Electronics in Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Current and Future Challenges. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1923. [PMID: 36363944 PMCID: PMC9699090 DOI: 10.3390/mi13111923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostics have gained increasing attention in recent years due to its numerous advantages over conventional diagnostic approaches. As proven during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the rapidity and portability of POC testing improves the efficiency of healthcare services and reduces the burden on healthcare providers. There are hundreds of thousands of different applications for POC diagnostics, however, the ultimate requirement for the test is the same: sample-in and result-out. Many technologies have been implemented, such as microfluidics, semiconductors, and nanostructure, to achieve this end. The development of even more powerful POC systems was also enabled by merging multiple technologies into the same system. One successful example is the integration of microfluidics and electronics in POC diagnostics, which has simplified the sample handling process, reduced sample usage, and reduced the cost of the test. This review will analyze the current development of the POC diagnostic systems with the integration of microfluidics and electronics and discuss the future challenges and perspectives that researchers might have.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Francesco Annese
- Center for Nano Science and Technology@PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 20133 Milan, Italy
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Chunxiao Hu
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iakovlev AP, Erofeev AS, Gorelkin PV. Novel Pumping Methods for Microfluidic Devices: A Comprehensive Review. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12110956. [PMID: 36354465 PMCID: PMC9688261 DOI: 10.3390/bios12110956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This review is an account of methods that use various strategies to control microfluidic flow control with high accuracy. The reviewed systems are divided into two large groups based on the way they create flow: passive systems (non-mechanical systems) and active (mechanical) systems. Each group is presented by a number of device fabrications. We try to explain the main principles of operation, and we list advantages and disadvantages of the presented systems. Mechanical systems are considered in more detail, as they are currently an area of increased interest due to their unique precision flow control and "multitasking". These systems are often applied as mini-laboratories, working autonomously without any additional operations, provided by humans, which is very important under complicated conditions. We also reviewed the integration of autonomous microfluidic systems with a smartphone or single-board computer when all data are retrieved and processed without using a personal computer. In addition, we discuss future trends and possible solutions for further development of this area of technology.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tavari T, Nazari M, Meamardoost S, Tamayol A, Samandari M. A systematic overview of electrode configuration in electric‐driven micropumps. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:1476-1520. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Tavari
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Shahrood University of Technology Shahrood Iran
| | - Mohsen Nazari
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Shahrood University of Technology Shahrood Iran
| | - Saber Meamardoost
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering University at Buffalo Buffalo New York USA
| | - Ali Tamayol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Connecticut Health Center Farmington Connecticut USA
| | - Mohamadmahdi Samandari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Connecticut Health Center Farmington Connecticut USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
A Hybrid Microfluidic Electronic Sensing Platform for Life Science Applications. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13030425. [PMID: 35334717 PMCID: PMC8950014 DOI: 10.3390/mi13030425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a novel hybrid microfluidic electronic sensing platform, featuring an electronic sensor incorporated with a microfluidic structure for life science applications. This sensor with a large sensing area of 0.7 mm2 is implemented through a foundry process called Open-Gate Junction FET (OG-JFET). The proposed OG-JFET sensor with a back gate enables the charge by directly introducing the biological and chemical samples on the top of the device. This paper puts forward the design and implementation of a PDMS microfluidic structure integrated with an OG-JFET chip to direct the samples toward the sensing site. At the same time, the sensor’s gain is controlled with a back gate electrical voltage. Herein, we demonstrate and discuss the functionality and applicability of the proposed sensing platform using a chemical solution with different pH values. Additionally, we introduce a mathematical model to describe the charge sensitivity of the OG-JFET sensor. Based on the results, the maximum value of transconductance gain of the sensor is ~1 mA/V at Vgs = 0, which is decreased to ~0.42 mA/V at Vgs = 1, all in Vds = 5. Furthermore, the variation of the back-gate voltage from 1.0 V to 0.0 V increases the sensitivity from ~40 mV/pH to ~55 mV/pH. As per the experimental and simulation results and discussions in this paper, the proposed hybrid microfluidic OG-JFET sensor is a reliable and high-precision measurement platform for various life science and industrial applications.
Collapse
|
8
|
Khan MA, Kosel J. Integrated Magnetohydrodynamic Pump with Magnetic Composite Substrate and Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13071113. [PMID: 33915833 PMCID: PMC8037410 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An integrated polymer-based magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump that can actuate saline fluids in closed-channel devices is presented. MHD pumps are attractive for lab-on-chip applications, due to their ability to provide high propulsive force without any moving parts. Unlike other MHD devices, a high level of integration is demonstrated by incorporating both laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes as well as a NdFeB magnetic-flux source in the NdFeB-polydimethylsiloxane permanent magnetic composite substrate. The effects of transferring the LIG film from polyimide to the magnetic composite substrate were studied. Operation of the integrated magneto hydrodynamic pump without disruptive bubbles was achieved. In the studied case, the pump produces a flow rate of 28.1 µL/min. while consuming ~1 mW power.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Asadullah Khan
- Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - Jürgen Kosel
- Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia;
- Silicon Austria Labs GmbH, Sensor Systems, Europastraße 12, 9524 Villach, Austria
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ozcelik A, Aslan Z. A practical microfluidic pump enabled by acoustofluidics and 3D printing. MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOFLUIDICS 2021; 25:5. [PMID: 33424526 PMCID: PMC7780904 DOI: 10.1007/s10404-020-02411-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Simple and low-cost solutions are becoming extremely important for the evolving necessities of biomedical applications. Even though, on-chip sample processing and analysis has been rapidly developing for a wide range of screening and diagnostic protocols, efficient and reliable fluid manipulation in microfluidic platforms still require further developments to be considered portable and accessible for low-resource settings. In this work, we present an extremely simple microfluidic pumping device based on three-dimensional (3D) printing and acoustofluidics. The fabrication of the device only requires 3D-printed adaptors, rectangular glass capillaries, epoxy and a piezoelectric transducer. The pumping mechanism relies on the flexibility and complexity of the acoustic streaming patterns generated inside the capillary. Characterization of the device yields controllable and continuous flow rates suitable for on-chip sample processing and analysis. Overall, a maximum flow rate of ~ 12 μL/min and the control of pumping direction by frequency tuning is achieved. With its versatility and simplicity, this microfluidic pumping device offers a promising solution for portable, affordable and reliable fluid manipulation for on-chip applications. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10404-020-02411-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adem Ozcelik
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Aslan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|