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Duan Y, Yang W, Xiao J, Gao J, Wei L, Huang Y, Yin Z. High density, addressable electrohydrodynamic printhead made of a silicon plate and polymer nozzle structure. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3877-3884. [PMID: 36073597 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00624c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is a promising micro/nanofabrication technique, due to its ultra-high resolution and wide material applicability. However, it suffers from low printing efficiency which urgently calls for a high density and addressable nozzle array. This paper presents a nozzle array chip made of a silicon plate and polymer nozzle structure, where the large silicon plate is conducive to a uniform spatial electric field distribution, and the polymer SU8 nozzle can inhibit tip discharge due to its insulating character and liquid flooding as SU8 is hydrophobic. By carefully designing the nozzle array structure via simulation, and fabricating it through MEMS technology, a high-density nozzle array chip has been achieved which can generate very uniform dots without crosstalk. Meanwhile, by adding extractors underneath the nozzle array, and utilizing a digital switch array to tune their on/off state, addressable printing has been realized. This novel printhead design has solved the discharge, liquid flooding, and crosstalk behavior in EHD nozzle arrays, and is compatible with traditional silicon-based MEMS technology, which will promote the practical applications of EHD printing in micro/nanoelectronics, biomedical/energy devices, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqing Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
- Flexible Electronics Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Weili Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Jingjing Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Jixin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
| | - YongAn Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
- Flexible Electronics Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhouping Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, P. R. China.
- Flexible Electronics Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
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2
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Zamboni R, Zaltron A, Chauvet M, Sada C. Real-time precise microfluidic droplets label-sequencing combined in a velocity detection sensor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17987. [PMID: 34504237 PMCID: PMC8429775 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Droplets microfluidics is broadening the range of Lab on a Chip solutions that, however, still suffer from the lack of an adequate level of integration of optical detection and sensors. In fact, droplets are currently monitored by imaging techniques, mostly limited by a time-consuming data post-processing and big data storage. This work aims to overcome this weakness, presenting a fully integrated opto-microfluidic platform able to detect, label and characterize droplets without the need for imaging techniques. It consists of optical waveguides arranged in a Mach Zehnder's configuration and a microfluidic circuit both coupled in the same substrate. As a proof of concept, the work demonstrates the performances of this opto-microfluidic platform in performing a complete and simultaneous sequence labelling and identification of each single droplet, in terms of its optical properties, as well as velocity and lengths. Since the sensor is realized in lithium niobate crystals, which is also highly resistant to chemical attack and biocompatible, the future addition of multifunctional stages into the same substrate can be easily envisioned, extending the range of applicability of the final device.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zamboni
- Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, 35131, Padova, Italy.,Institute of Applied Physics, University of Münster, Corrensstrasse 2/4, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - A Zaltron
- Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - M Chauvet
- FEMTO-ST Institute, UMR 6174, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 15B Avenue des Montboucons, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - C Sada
- Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 8, 35131, Padova, Italy.
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3
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Li L, Wu E, Jia K, Yang K. Temperature field regulation of a droplet using an acoustothermal heater. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3184-3194. [PMID: 34195725 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00267h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Heating a droplet without contamination is desired for the emerging applications of microfluidic devices in life science and materials science, especially in the form of controllable temperature distribution. Microfluidic heaters using surface acoustic waves have been recently demonstrated, which highlights an urgent need for an insight into the detailed heating mechanism to guide the development of temperature regulation methodologies. Here, we show that the temperature field of a droplet on the path of a travelling wave can be regulated by modulating the heat source distribution and thermal conduction inside the target. We model the acoustothermal process of the droplet including the effects of electric dissipation, acoustic dissipation, and acoustic-induced steady flow. The electric-mechanical-acoustic coupling contributes to the dominant heat source, and we call it acoustic heat source. The nonlinear effects of incident waves generate acoustic vortexes with a velocity of up to 20 mm s-1, inducing forced convection inside the droplet to enhance heat transfer. The equilibrium temperature field of a droplet is determined by a synergy of dissipative acoustic attenuation and acoustic streaming. We demonstrate that the distribution of the acoustic heat source and the patterns of acoustic streaming can be modulated by fluid viscosity and droplet size. Various spatial combinations of the acoustic heat source and steady streaming make different temperature fields in the droplet. We also propose a phase diagram of the temperature distribution in the droplet. This methodology enables opportunities for temperature-related processing inside a droplet bioparticle carrier or microreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Eryong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Kun Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28 West Xianning Road, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China.
| | - Keji Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
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4
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Rega R, Mugnano M, Oleandro E, Tkachenko V, del Giudice D, Bagnato G, Ferraro P, Grilli S, Gangemi S. Detecting Collagen Molecules at Picogram Level through Electric Field-Induced Accumulation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E3567. [PMID: 32599740 PMCID: PMC7349194 DOI: 10.3390/s20123567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The demand for sensors capable of measuring low-abundant collagen in human fluids has highly increased in recent years. Indeed, collagen is expected to be a biomarker for chronic diseases and could monitor their progression. Here we show detection of highly diluted samples of collagen at picogram level thanks to an innovative pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet (p-jet) system. Through the intense electric fields generated by the pyroelectric effect in a ferroelectric crystal, the collagen solution was concentrated on a small area of a slide that was appropriately functionalized to bind proteins. The collagen molecules were labeled by an appropriate fluorophore to show how the number of tiny droplets influences the limit of detection of the technique. The results show that the p-jet is extremely promising for overcoming the current detection limits of collagen-based products in human fluids, performing 10 times better than the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and thus paving the way for the early diagnosis of related chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Rega
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Martina Mugnano
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Emilia Oleandro
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Volodymyr Tkachenko
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Danila del Giudice
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bagnato
- Division of Pneumology, Papardo Hospital, Contrada Papardo, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Simonetta Grilli
- Department of Physical Science and Technology of Matter, Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; (M.M.); (E.O.); (V.T.); (D.d.G.); (P.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
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Coppola S, Nasti G, Todino M, Olivieri F, Vespini V, Ferraro P. Direct Writing of Microfluidic Footpaths by Pyro-EHD Printing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:16488-16494. [PMID: 28446020 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b02633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report a direct writing method for the fabrication of microfluidic footpaths by pyro-electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing. Here, we propose the use of a nozzle-free three-dimensional printing technique for the fabrication of printed structures that can be embedded in a variety of soft, transparent, flexible, and biocompatible polymers and thus easily integrated into lab-on-chip devices. We prove the advantage of the high resolution and flexibility of pyro-EHD printing for the realization of microfluidic channels well below the standard limit in dimension of conventional ink-jet printing technique and simply adaptable to the end-user desires in terms of geometry and materials. Starting from the description of the innovative approach proposed for the channel fabrication, we demonstrate the design, fabrication, and proof of a microfluidic matrix of interconnected channels. The method described here could be a breakthrough technology for the fabrication of in situ implantable, stretchable, and biocompatible devices, opening new routes in the field of biomedical engineering and wearable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Coppola
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nasti
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Michele Todino
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Federico Olivieri
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Veronica Vespini
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI) , Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
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Vespini V, Coppola S, Todino M, Paturzo M, Bianco V, Grilli S, Ferraro P. Forward electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing of optical microlenses on microfluidic devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:326-33. [PMID: 26660423 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01386k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We report a novel method for direct printing of viscous polymers based on a pyro-electrohydrodynamic repulsion system capable of overcoming limitations on the material type, geometry and thickness of the receiving substrate. In fact, the results demonstrate that high viscosity polymers can be easily manipulated for optical functionalizing of lab-on-a-chip devices through demonstration of direct printing of polymer microlenses onto microfluidic chips and optical fibre terminations. The present system has great potential for applications from biomolecules to nano-electronics. Moreover, in order to prove the effectiveness of the system, the optical performance of such microlenses has been characterized by testing their imaging capabilities when the fibroblast cells were allowed to flow inside the microfluidic channel, showing one of their possible applications on-board a LoC platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vespini
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
| | - S Coppola
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
| | - M Todino
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (CNR-IMM), Italy
| | - M Paturzo
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
| | - V Bianco
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
| | - S Grilli
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
| | - P Ferraro
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent System (CNR-ISASI), Italy.
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Grilli S, Miccio L, Gennari O, Coppola S, Vespini V, Battista L, Orlando P, Ferraro P. Active accumulation of very diluted biomolecules by nano-dispensing for easy detection below the femtomolar range. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5314. [PMID: 25408128 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly sensitive detection of biomolecules is of paramount interest in many fields including biomedicine, safety and eco-pollution. Conventional analyses use well-established techniques with detection limits ~1 pM. Here we propose a pyro-concentrator able to accumulate biomolecules directly onto a conventional binding surface. The operation principle is relatively simple but very effective. Tiny droplets are drawn pyro-electro-dynamically and released onto a specific site, thus increasing the sensitivity. The reliability of the technique is demonstrated in case of labelled oligonucleotides diluted serially. The results show the possibility to detect very diluted oligonucleotides, down to a few hundreds of attomoles. Excellent results are shown also in case of a sample of clinical interest, the gliadin, where a 60-fold improved detection limit is reached, compared with standard ELISA. This method could open the way to a mass-based technology for sensing molecules at very low concentrations, in environmental as well as in diagnostics applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Grilli
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - L Miccio
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - O Gennari
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - S Coppola
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - V Vespini
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - L Battista
- National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - P Orlando
- 1] National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy [2] Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Council of Research (CNR-IBP), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - P Ferraro
- 1] National Institute of Optics, National Council of Research (CNR-INO), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy [2] CNR-INO &CNR, "E. Caianiello", Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
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Miccio L, Memmolo P, Grilli S, Ferraro P. All-optical microfluidic chips for reconfigurable dielectrophoretic trapping through SLM light induced patterning. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:4449-4454. [PMID: 22960732 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40789b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We explore a novel approach for fabricating polymeric microfluidic-channelled dielectrophoretic (DEP) chips by direct laser projection through a holographic Spatial-Light-Modulator (SLM) onto photorefractive crystal substrates. As the first step, an all-optical mould-free approach was used to fabricate the PDMS microfluidic channel, by exploiting the light induced space charge field in Fe-doped lithium niobate crystals, with the aim of integrating a microfluidic channel directly onto the functionalized substrate. Subsequently, as the second step, geometrical flexible DEP traps can be created onto the substrate by the same SLM holographic projection system. The experimental verification shows the trapping of flowing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the formation of chaining effects with graphite nanofibers. The main feature of the SLM is the ability to display an arbitrary light intensity pattern that is used here for fabricating the channels. Moreover, the reconfigurable trapping of CNTs is possible simply by the optical writing/erasing of various light intensity patterns projected by the SLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Miccio
- Istituto Nazionale di Ottica del CNR (CNR-INO), U.O.S. di Napoli, Via Campi Flegrei, 34 - 80078, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy.
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Arrabito G, Pignataro B. Solution Processed Micro- and Nano-Bioarrays for Multiplexed Biosensing. Anal Chem 2012; 84:5450-62. [DOI: 10.1021/ac300621z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Arrabito
- Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 9, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Dipartimento di Chimica “S. Cannizzaro”, Università degli Studi di Palermo, V. le delle
Scienze, Parco d’Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
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