1
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Tazawa H, Mawatari K. Room-temperature mL-to-μL quantitative liquid concentration device for cyclone flow. ANAL SCI 2024:10.1007/s44211-024-00654-z. [PMID: 39212897 DOI: 10.1007/s44211-024-00654-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Highly sensitive quantitative analysis of liquids is required in various fields. Analytical instruments and devices such as chromatography, spectroscopic analysis, DNA sequencers, immunoassay, mass spectrometry, and microfluidic devices are utilized for this purpose. Typically, the sample volume is at the milliliter scale, while the analysis volume is at the microliter scale. Consequently, most of the sample is discarded. Therefore, a universal volume interface is required to quantitatively concentrate samples from milliliter to microliter volume. This study introduces a liquid quantitative function to the cyclone concentration method using a millimeter-scale channel, which is highly suitable for controlling liquids at the microliter scale due to its high fluidic resistance against cyclone flow. This method enables the effective control of liquid concentration by cyclone flow. The optimum channel structure is investigated, and a 33-fold concentration of aqueous solutions is demonstrated. Finally, the concentration device is applied to measure molybdenum ions in a river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekatsu Tazawa
- Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University, 2-7 Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 808-0135, Japan.
| | - Kazuma Mawatari
- Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, Waseda University, 2-7 Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 808-0135, Japan.
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2
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Giauque NA, Flowerday CE, Goates SR. Enhanced Fluorescence in a Scattering Medium. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2021; 75:1461-1464. [PMID: 34269092 DOI: 10.1177/00037028211029312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Often only small amounts of sample are available for spectroscopic analytical determinations. This work investigates the enhancement of signal in columns packed with silica particles. We propose that silica particles cause the light to scatter through the column, effectively increasing optical path length. Packed columns are shown to be effective with fluorescence spectroscopy, but results were inconclusive with absorbance spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Giauque
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
| | - Callum E Flowerday
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
| | - Steven R Goates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
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3
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Probst J, Howes P, Arosio P, Stavrakis S, deMello A. Broad-Band Spectrum, High-Sensitivity Absorbance Spectroscopy in Picoliter Volumes. Anal Chem 2021; 93:7673-7681. [PMID: 34009952 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Picoliter-volume droplets within segmented flows can be probed in a rapid and efficient manner using optical detection methods. To date, however, most detection schemes for droplet content analysis have relied on the use of time-integrated fluorescence measurements. Despite its undoubted utility, the implementation of absorbance-based detectors is particularly challenging due to the reduced optical path lengths that are characteristic of microfluidic systems and deleterious scattering at droplet-oil interfaces. Unsurprisingly, efforts to develop sensitive absorbance-based detection schemes for the interrogation of rapidly moving droplets have primarily focused on ensuring adequate analytical sensitivity and, to date, have been exclusively limited to single-wavelength measurements. To address this limitation, and expand the information content associated with absorbance measurements on-chip, we herein describe a detection scheme for the extraction of broad-band absorbance spectra from pL-volume droplets with high sensitivity. The combination of a confocal optical system (that confines incident light to a reduced detection volume) and a postprocessing algorithm (that effectively removes the contribution of the carrier oil from the extracted spectra) engenders significant improvements in signal-to-noise ratios. Our system is initially calibrated by acquiring absorbance spectra from aqueous solutions of fluorescein isothiocyanate. These measurements confirm both excellent linearity over the studied range (from 0 to 100 μM) and a concentration limit of detection of 800 nM. The methodology is then used to monitor the salt-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles with millisecond time resolution. This approach for small-volume absorbance spectroscopy allows for both high-throughput and high-information content measurements in subnanoliter volumes and will be highly desirable in a wide variety of bioanalytical applications where sensitivity and throughput are priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Probst
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Howes
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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4
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Yew M, Ren Y, Koh KS, Sun C, Snape C. A Review of State-of-the-Art Microfluidic Technologies for Environmental Applications: Detection and Remediation. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2019; 3:1800060. [PMID: 31565355 PMCID: PMC6383963 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201800060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic systems have advanced beyond natural and life science applications and lab-on-a-chip uses. A growing trend of employing microfluidic technologies for environmental detection has emerged thanks to the precision, time-effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of advanced microfluidic systems. This paper reviews state-of-the-art microfluidic technologies for environmental applications, such as on-site environmental monitoring and detection. Microdevices are extensively used in collecting environmental samples as a means to facilitate detection and quantification of targeted components with minimal quantities of samples. Likewise, microfluidic-inspired approaches for separation and treatment of contaminated water and air, such as the removal of heavy metals and waterborne pathogens from wastewater and carbon capture are also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Yew
- Department of MechanicalMaterials and Manufacturing EngineeringUniversity of Nottingham Ningbo China199 Taikang East Road315100NingboChina
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of MechanicalMaterials and Manufacturing EngineeringUniversity of Nottingham Ningbo China199 Taikang East Road315100NingboChina
| | - Kai Seng Koh
- School of Engineering and Physical SciencesHeriot‐Watt University MalaysiaNo. 1 Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 562200PutrajayaMalaysia
| | - Chenggong Sun
- Faculty of EngineeringUniversity of NottinghamThe Energy Technologies Building, Jubilee CampusNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
| | - Colin Snape
- Faculty of EngineeringUniversity of NottinghamThe Energy Technologies Building, Jubilee CampusNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
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5
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Zhu XD, Chu J, Wang YH. Advances in Microfluidics Applied to Single Cell Operation. Biotechnol J 2018; 13. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201700416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Zhu
- National Engineering Centre for Biotechnology (Shanghai); College of Biotechnology; East China University of Science and Technology; 130 Meilong Road Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Ju Chu
- National Engineering Centre for Biotechnology (Shanghai); College of Biotechnology; East China University of Science and Technology; 130 Meilong Road Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Yong-Hong Wang
- National Engineering Centre for Biotechnology (Shanghai); College of Biotechnology; East China University of Science and Technology; 130 Meilong Road Shanghai 200237 China
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6
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Yang T, Stavrakis S, deMello A. A High-Sensitivity, Integrated Absorbance and Fluorescence Detection Scheme for Probing Picoliter-Volume Droplets in Segmented Flows. Anal Chem 2017; 89:12880-12887. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianjin Yang
- Institute for Chemical and
Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute for Chemical and
Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and
Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 1, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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7
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Chun H, Dennis PJ, Ferguson Welch ER, Alarie JP, Jorgenson JW, Ramsey JM. Development of a conductivity-based photothermal absorbance detection microchip using polyelectrolytic gel electrodes. J Chromatogr A 2017; 1523:140-147. [PMID: 28668370 PMCID: PMC5675820 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The development and application of polyelectrolytic gel electrodes (PGEs) for a microfluidic photothermal absorbance detection system is described. The PGEs are used to measure changes in conductivity based on heat generation by analytes absorbing light and changing the solution viscosity. The PGEs are suitable for direct contact conductivity measurements since they do not degrade with exposure to high electric fields. Both a 2-electrode system with DC voltages and a 3-electrode system with AC voltages were investigated. Experimental factors including excitation voltage, excitation frequency, laser modulation frequency, laser power, and path length were tested. The limits of detection for the 3-electrode and 2-electrode systems are 500nM and 0.55nM for DABSYL-tagged glucosamine, respectively. In addition, an electrokinetic separation of a potassium, DABSYL-tagged glucosamine, Rhodamine 6G, and Rhodamine B mixture was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honggu Chun
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman Hall, CB#3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Hana Science Hall 466, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Patty J Dennis
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman Hall, CB#3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Erin R Ferguson Welch
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman Hall, CB#3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Jean Pierre Alarie
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman Hall, CB#3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - James W Jorgenson
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan Laboratories, CB#3290, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - J Michael Ramsey
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapman Hall, CB#3216, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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8
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He X, Shao Q, Cao P, Kong W, Sun J, Zhang X, Deng Y. Electro-optical phenomena based on ionic liquids in an optofluidic waveguide. LAB ON A CHIP 2015; 15:1311-1319. [PMID: 25582948 DOI: 10.1039/c4lc01434k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
An optofluidic waveguide with a simple two-terminal electrode geometry, when filled with an ionic liquid (IL), forms a lateral electric double-layer capacitor under a direct current (DC) electric field, which allows the realization of an extremely high carrier density in the vicinity of the electrode surface and terminals to modulate optical transmission at room temperature under low voltage operation (0 to 4 V). The unique electro-optical phenomenon of ILs was investigated at three wavelengths (663, 1330 and 1530 nm) using two waveguide geometries. Strong electro-optical modulations with different efficiencies were observed at the two near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths, while no detectable modulation was observed at 663 nm. The first waveguide geometry was used to investigate the position-dependent modulation along the waveguide; the strongest modulation was observed in the vicinity of the electrode terminal. The modulation phase is associated with the applied voltage polarity, which increases in the vicinity of the negative electrode and decreases at the positive electrode. The second waveguide geometry was used to improve the modulation efficiency. Meanwhile, the electro-optical modulations of seven ILs were compared at an applied voltage ranging from ±2 V to ±3.5 V. The results reveal that the modulation amplitude and response speed increase with increasing applied voltage, as well as the electrical conductivity of ILs. Despite the fact that the response speed isn't fast due to the high ionic density of ILs, the modulation amplitude can reach up to 6.0 dB when a higher voltage (U = ±3.5 V) is applied for the IL [Emim][BF4]. Finally, the physical explanation of the phenomenon was discussed. The effect of the change in IL structure on the electro-optical phenomena was investigated in another new experiment. The results reveal that the electro-optical phenomenon is probably caused mainly by the change in carrier concentration (ion redistribution near charged electrodes), which induces the enhancement and suppression of NIR optical absorption (contributed by C-H and N-H groups) in the vicinity of the negative electrode and positive electrode, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong He
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, No. 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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9
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Cuennet JG, Vasdekis AE, Psaltis D. Optofluidic-tunable color filters and spectroscopy based on liquid-crystal microflows. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:2721-2726. [PMID: 23752198 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50501d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The integration of color filters with microfluidics has attracted substantial attention in recent years, for on-chip absorption, fluorescence, or Raman analysis. We describe such tunable filters based on the micro-flow of liquid crystals. The filter operation is based on the wavelength-dependent liquid crystal birefringence that can be tuned by modifying the flow velocity field in the microchannel. The latter is possible both temporally and spatially by varying the inlet pressure and the channel geometry, respectively. We explored the use of these optofluidic filters for on-chip absorption spectroscopy in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic systems; by integrating the distance-dependent color filter with a dye-filled micro-channel, the absorption spectrum of a dye could be measured. Liquid crystal microflows substantially simplify the optofluidic integration, actuation and tuning of color filters for lab-on-a-chip spectroscopic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Cuennet
- Optics Laboratory, School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland
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10
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Gielen F, van Vliet L, Koprowski BT, Devenish SRA, Fischlechner M, Edel JB, Niu X, deMello AJ, Hollfelder F. A fully unsupervised compartment-on-demand platform for precise nanoliter assays of time-dependent steady-state enzyme kinetics and inhibition. Anal Chem 2013; 85:4761-9. [PMID: 23614771 PMCID: PMC3715888 DOI: 10.1021/ac400480z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The ability to miniaturize biochemical
assays in water-in-oil emulsion
droplets allows a massive scale-down of reaction volumes, so that
high-throughput experimentation can be performed more economically
and more efficiently. Generating such droplets in compartment-on-demand
(COD) platforms is the basis for rapid, automated screening of chemical
and biological libraries with minimal volume consumption. Herein,
we describe the implementation of such a COD platform to perform high
precision nanoliter assays. The coupling of a COD platform to a droplet
absorbance detection set-up results in a fully automated analytical
system. Michaelis–Menten parameters of 4-nitrophenyl glucopyranoside
hydrolysis by sweet almond β-glucosidase can be generated based
on 24 time-courses taken at different substrate concentrations with
a total volume consumption of only 1.4 μL. Importantly, kinetic
parameters can be derived in a fully unsupervised manner within 20
min: droplet production (5 min), initial reading of the droplet sequence
(5 min), and droplet fusion to initiate the reaction and read-out
over time (10 min). Similarly, the inhibition of the enzymatic reaction
by conduritol B epoxide and 1-deoxynojirimycin was measured, and Ki values were determined. In both cases, the
kinetic parameters obtained in droplets were identical within error
to values obtained in titer plates, despite a >104-fold
volume reduction, from micro- to nanoliters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Gielen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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11
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Tan C, Lo SJ, LeDuc PR, Cheng CM. Frontiers of optofluidics in synthetic biology. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:3654-3665. [PMID: 22895798 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40828g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of optofluidic-based technology has ushered in a new era of lab-on-a-chip functionality, including miniaturization of biomedical devices, enhanced sensitivity for molecular detection, and multiplexing of optical measurements. While having great potential, optofluidic devices have only begun to be exploited in many biotechnological applications. Here, we highlight the potential of integrating optofluidic devices with synthetic biological systems, which is a field focusing on creating novel cellular systems by engineering synthetic gene and protein networks. First, we review the development of synthetic biology at different length scales, ranging from single-molecule, single-cell, to cellular population. We emphasize light-sensitive synthetic biological systems that would be relevant for the integration with optofluidic devices. Next, we propose several areas for potential applications of optofluidics in synthetic biology. The integration of optofluidics and synthetic biology would have a broad impact on point-of-care diagnostics and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheemeng Tan
- Lane Center for Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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12
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Seow YC, Lim SP, Lee HP. Optofluidic variable-focus lenses for light manipulation. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:3810-3815. [PMID: 22885654 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40415j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a planar optofluidic lens for light manipulation utilizing a combination of optofluidic biconvex lens with micromixer. Three light manipulation techniques including tunable optical diverging, collimating and focusing are realized by altering the refractive index of the optofluidic variable-focus lenses formed by solid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) walls and tunable liquid lens body. The optical power from the laser input can be increased or decreased with the tuning of the variable-focus lenses' refractive indexes. The optical power adjustment capabilities are demonstrated and characterized. The combinations of benefits of all lens' optical manipulation capabilities, greater mechanical stability, significant increase of optofluidic device's life time and seamless integration with other lab-on-a-chip functionalities provide a promising and versatile optofluidic compartment to integrate with lab-on-a-chip excitation and sensing applications. Optofluidic lens-including system for tunable fluorescence sensing is demonstrated showing 186% increase in detected fluorescence intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y C Seow
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576.
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Song W, Vasdekis AE, Psaltis D. Elastomer based tunable optofluidic devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2012; 12:3590-3597. [PMID: 22864365 DOI: 10.1039/c2lc40481h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The synergetic integration of photonics and microfluidics has enabled a wide range of optofluidic devices that can be tuned based on various physical mechanisms. One such tuning mechanism can be realized based on the elasticity of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The mechanical tuning of these optofluidic devices was achieved by modifying the geometry of the device upon applying internal or external forces. External or internal forces can deform the elastomeric components that in turn can alter the optical properties of the device or directly induce flow. In this review, we discuss recent progress in tunable optofluidic devices, where tunability is enabled by the elasticity of the construction material. Different subtypes of such tuning methods will be summarized, namely tuning based on bulk or membrane deformations, and pneumatic actuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuzhou Song
- School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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