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Jahangiri AR, Ziarati N, Dadkhah E, Bucak MN, Rahimizadeh P, Shahverdi A, Sadighi Gilani MA, Topraggaleh TR. Microfluidics: The future of sperm selection in assisted reproduction. Andrology 2024; 12:1236-1252. [PMID: 38148634 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obtaining functional sperm cells is the first step to treat infertility. With the ever-increasing trend in male infertility, clinicians require access to effective solutions that are able to single out the most viable spermatozoa, which would max out the chance for a successful pregnancy. The new generation techniques for sperm selection involve microfluidics, which offers laminar flow and low Reynolds number within the platforms can provide unprecedented opportunities for sperm selection. Previous studies showed that microfluidic platforms can provide a novel approach to this challenge and since then researchers across the globe have attacked this problem from multiple angles. OBJECTIVE In this review, we seek to provide a much-needed bridge between the technical and medical aspects of microfluidic sperm selection. Here, we provide an up-to-date list on microfluidic sperm selection procedures and its application in assisted reproductive technology laboratories. SEARCH METHOD A literature search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to select papers reporting microfluidic sperm selection using the keywords: microfluidic sperm selection, self-motility, non-motile sperm selection, boundary following, rheotaxis, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis. Papers published before March 31, 2023 were selected. OUTCOMES Our results show that most studies have used motility-based properties for sperm selection. However, microfluidic platforms are ripe for making use of other properties such as chemotaxis and especially rheotaxis. We have identified that low throughput is one of the major hurdles to current microfluidic sperm selection chips, which can be solved via parallelization. CONCLUSION Future work needs to be performed on numerical simulation of the microfluidics chip prior to fabrication as well as relevant clinical assessment after the selection procedure. This would require a close collaboration and understanding among engineers, biologists, and medical professionals. It is interesting that in spite of two decades of microfluidics sperm selection, numerical simulation and clinical studies are lagging behind. It is expected that microfluidic sperm selection platforms will play a major role in the development of fully integrated start-to-finish assisted reproductive technology systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Reza Jahangiri
- NanoLund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Niloofar Ziarati
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Dadkhah
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mustafa Numan Bucak
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Pegah Rahimizadeh
- Division of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Cancer Research Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Abdolhossein Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi Gilani
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Rezaei Topraggaleh
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
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2
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Korenkov ES, Cherkasov VR, Nikitin MP. A do-it-yourself benchtop device for highly scalable flow synthesis of protein-based nanoparticles. HARDWAREX 2024; 19:e00554. [PMID: 39071223 PMCID: PMC11278078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Synthesis of nanoparticles is typically carried out in batch procedures, which offer limited control of parameters, and a narrow range of possible batch volumes. In contrast, flow synthesis systems, usually having a microfluidic chip as a crucial part, are devoid of these drawbacks. However, large scale devices - millifluidic systems - may offer several advantages over microfluidic systems, such as easier and cheaper production, enhanced throughput, and reduced channel clogging. Here we report a millifluidic system for the generation of protein nanoparticles, using the flow format of the original swift thermal formation technology (STF), which can process batch volume ranging from 100 µl to any practically significant amount. Capabilities of the system are demonstrated with model synthesis of Epirubicin-encapsulated BSA nanoparticles. A better degree of scalability of the synthesis over batch procedure is shown: with a 10-fold working volume increase, hydrodynamic diameter and loading capacity changed by only 10 % and 1 % respectively, compared to 60 % and 30 % for the batch synthesis. Additionally, we provide all engineering drawings, electrical circuits, programming code and nuances of assembly and operation, so that our findings can be easily reproduced. The ease of construction of the device and the superior characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles compared to the batch method indicate application potential in both the biomedical research and industrial spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egor S. Korenkov
- Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, 123592 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 117303 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir R. Cherkasov
- Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, 123592 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), 117303 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim P. Nikitin
- Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, 123592 Moscow, Russia
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, 354340 Sochi, Russia
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3
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Centner CS, Belott CJ, Patel RK, Menze MA, Yaddanapudi K, Kopechek JA. Biomodulatory Effects of Molecular Delivery in Human T Cells Using 3D-Printed Acoustofluidic Devices. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024:S0301-5629(24)00256-4. [PMID: 39107206 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell-based therapies have shown significant promise for treating many diseases, including cancer. Current cell therapy manufacturing processes primarily utilize viral transduction to insert genomic material into cells, which has limitations, including variable transduction efficiency and extended processing times. Non-viral transfection techniques are also limited by high variability or reduced molecular delivery efficiency. Novel 3D-printed acoustofluidic devices are in development to address these challenges by delivering biomolecules into cells within seconds via sonoporation. METHODS In this study, we assessed biological parameters that influence the ultrasound-mediated delivery of fluorescent molecules (i.e., calcein and 150 kDa FITC-Dextran) to human T cells using flow cytometry and confocal imaging. RESULTS Low cell plating densities (100,000 cells/mL) enhanced molecular delivery compared to higher cell plating densities (p < 0.001), even though cells were resuspended at equal concentrations for acoustofluidic processing. Additionally, cells in the S phase of the cell cycle had enhanced intracellular delivery compared to cells in the G2/M phase (p < 0.001) and G0/G1 phase (p < 0.01), while also maintaining higher viability compared to G0/G1 phase (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the calcium chelator (EGTA) decreased overall molecular delivery levels. Confocal imaging indicated that the actin cytoskeleton had important implications on plasma membrane recovery dynamics after sonoporation. In addition, confocal imaging indicates that acoustofluidic treatment can permeabilize the nuclear membrane, which could enable rapid intranuclear delivery of nucleic acids. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that a 3D-printed acoustofluidic device can enhance molecular delivery to human T cells, which may enable improved techniques for non-viral processing of cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor S Centner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Clinton J Belott
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Riyakumari K Patel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Michael A Menze
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | - Jonathan A Kopechek
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
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4
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Ristroph KD. Drugs need to be formulated with scale-up in mind. J Control Release 2024:S0168-3659(24)00447-4. [PMID: 39019084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Formulation scale-up remains a major hurdle in drug development in part because preliminary formulation research efforts rarely consider the challenges of scaling up production for commercialization. This Perspective outlines considerations around scalability that can be incorporated into formulation design work in order to increase the chances of successful translation. Both technical (unit operations, excipient selection, scaling principles) and non-technical (funding, publications, and personnel) considerations are discussed, with a focus on lab-scale work by academic researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt D Ristroph
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 225 South University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States; Davidson School of Chemical Engineering (by courtesy), Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
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5
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Chazot-Franguiadakis L, Eid J, Delecourt G, Kolbeck PJ, Brugère S, Molcrette B, Socol M, Mougel M, Salvetti A, Démery V, Lacroix JC, Bennevault V, Guégan P, Castelnovo M, Montel F. Soft jamming of viral particles in nanopores. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6180. [PMID: 39039059 PMCID: PMC11263580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Viruses have remarkable physical properties and complex interactions with their environment. However, their aggregation in confined spaces remains unexplored, although this phenomenon is of paramount importance for understanding viral infectivity. Using hydrodynamical driving and optical detection, we developed a method to detect the transport of single virus in real time through synthetic nanopores. We unveiled a jamming phenomenon specifically associated with virus confinement under flow. We showed that the interactions of viral particles with themselves and with the pore surface were critical for clog formation. Based on the detailed screening of the physical and chemical determinants, we proposed a simple dynamical model that recapitulated all the experimental observations. Our results pave the way for the study of jamming phenomena in the presence of more complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joelle Eid
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, UMR CNRS 9004, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Gwendoline Delecourt
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR CNRS 8232, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Pauline J Kolbeck
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Physics and Center for NanoScience, LMU Munich, 80799, Munich, Germany
- Department of Physics and Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, 3584, CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Brugère
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Bastien Molcrette
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, UMR CNRS 7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Marius Socol
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, UMR CNRS 9004, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marylène Mougel
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier, UMR CNRS 9004, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Salvetti
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, UMR CNRS 5308, Université de Lyon, INSERM, Lyon, France
| | - Vincent Démery
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Gulliver, UMR CNRS 7083, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | | | - Véronique Bennevault
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR CNRS 8232, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- University of Evry, Evry, 91000, France
| | - Philippe Guégan
- Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, UMR CNRS 8232, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Martin Castelnovo
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Fabien Montel
- Laboratoire de Physique, UMR CNRS 5672, ENS de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.
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Voigtländer A, Houssais M, Bacik KA, Bourg IC, Burton JC, Daniels KE, Datta SS, Del Gado E, Deshpande NS, Devauchelle O, Ferdowsi B, Glade R, Goehring L, Hewitt IJ, Jerolmack D, Juanes R, Kudrolli A, Lai CY, Li W, Masteller C, Nissanka K, Rubin AM, Stone HA, Suckale J, Vriend NM, Wettlaufer JS, Yang JQ. Soft matter physics of the ground beneath our feet. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 39012310 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00391h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The soft part of the Earth's surface - the ground beneath our feet - constitutes the basis for life and natural resources, yet a general physical understanding of the ground is still lacking. In this critical time of climate change, cross-pollination of scientific approaches is urgently needed to better understand the behavior of our planet's surface. The major topics in current research in this area cross different disciplines, spanning geosciences, and various aspects of engineering, material sciences, physics, chemistry, and biology. Among these, soft matter physics has emerged as a fundamental nexus connecting and underpinning many research questions. This perspective article is a multi-voice effort to bring together different views and approaches, questions and insights, from researchers that work in this emerging area, the soft matter physics of the ground beneath our feet. In particular, we identify four major challenges concerned with the dynamics in and of the ground: (I) modeling from the grain scale, (II) near-criticality, (III) bridging scales, and (IV) life. For each challenge, we present a selection of topics by individual authors, providing specific context, recent advances, and open questions. Through this, we seek to provide an overview of the opportunities for the broad Soft Matter community to contribute to the fundamental understanding of the physics of the ground, strive towards a common language, and encourage new collaborations across the broad spectrum of scientists interested in the matter of the Earth's surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Voigtländer
- German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Geomorphology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Energy Geosciences Division, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Morgane Houssais
- Department of Physics, Clark University, 950 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Karol A Bacik
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ian C Bourg
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI), Princeton University, E208 EQuad, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Justin C Burton
- Department of Physics, Emory University, 400 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Karen E Daniels
- North Carolina State University, 2401 Stinson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Sujit S Datta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Emanuela Del Gado
- Department of Physics, Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nakul S Deshpande
- North Carolina State University, 2401 Stinson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Olivier Devauchelle
- Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université Paris Cité, 1 rue Jussieu, CNRS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Behrooz Ferdowsi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, jUniversity of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Rachel Glade
- Earth & Environmental Sciences Department and Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Rochester, 227 Hutchison Hall, P.O. Box 270221, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Lucas Goehring
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Ian J Hewitt
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Douglas Jerolmack
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruben Juanes
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Arshad Kudrolli
- Department of Physics, Clark University, 950 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Ching-Yao Lai
- Department of Geophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Stony Brook University, Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Claire Masteller
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kavinda Nissanka
- Department of Physics, Emory University, 400 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Allan M Rubin
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Howard A Stone
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jenny Suckale
- Computational and Mathematical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nathalie M Vriend
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - John S Wettlaufer
- Departments of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judy Q Yang
- Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory and Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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7
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Na GS, Joo JU, Lee JY, Yun Y, Kaang BK, Yang JS, Kim K, Kim DP. Full-cycle study on developing a novel structured micromixer and evaluating the nanoparticle products as mRNA delivery carriers. J Control Release 2024; 373:161-171. [PMID: 38996922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.07.019] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Achieving precise control of nanoparticle size while maintaining consistency and high uniformity is of paramount importance for improving the efficacy of nanoparticle-based therapies and minimizing potential side effects. Although microfluidic technologies are widely used for reliable nanoparticle synthesis, they face challenges in meeting critical homogeneity requirements, mainly due to imperfect mixing efficiency. Furthermore, channel clogging during continuous operation presents a significant obstacle in terms of quality control, as it progressively impedes the mixing behavior necessary for consistent nanoparticle production for therapeutic delivery and complicates the scaling-up process. This study entailed the development of a 3D-printed novel micromixer embedded with hemispherical baffle microstructures, a dual vortex mixer (DVM), which integrates Dean vortices to generate two symmetrical counter-rotating intensified secondary flows. The DVM with a relatively large mixer volume showed rapid mixing characteristics even at a flow rate of several mL min-1 and produced highly uniform lipids, liposomes, and polymer nanoparticles in a size range (50-130 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI) values below 0.15. For the evaluation of products, SARS-CoV-2 Spike mRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles were examined to verify protein expression in vitro and in vivo using firefly luciferase (FLuc) mRNA. This showed that the performance of the system is comparable to that of a commercial toroidal mixer. Moreover, the vigorous in-situ dispersion of nanoparticles by harnessing the power of vortex physically minimizes the occurrence of aggregation, ensuring consistent production performance without internal clogging of a half-day operation and facilitating quality control of the nanoparticles at desired scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi-Su Na
- Center for Intelligent Microprocess of Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Un Joo
- Center for Intelligent Microprocess of Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Young Lee
- Research Center, ST Pharm, Ansan-si, Gyoenggi-do 15610, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Yun
- Research Center, ST Pharm, Ansan-si, Gyoenggi-do 15610, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Kwon Kaang
- Center for Intelligent Microprocess of Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo-Sung Yang
- Research Center, ST Pharm, Ansan-si, Gyoenggi-do 15610, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyungjin Kim
- Research Center, ST Pharm, Ansan-si, Gyoenggi-do 15610, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong-Pyo Kim
- Center for Intelligent Microprocess of Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.
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Ranjan S, Bosch S, Lukkari H, Schirmer J, Aaltonen N, Nieminen HJ, Lehto VP, Urtti A, Lajunen T, Rilla K. Development of Focused Ultrasound-Assisted Nanoplexes for RNA Delivery. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1089. [PMID: 38998694 PMCID: PMC11243722 DOI: 10.3390/nano14131089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics, including siRNA, have obtained recognition in recent years due to their potential to treat various chronic and rare diseases. However, there are still limitations to lipid-based drug delivery systems in the clinical use of RNA therapeutics due to the need for optimization in the design and the preparation process. In this study, we propose adaptive focused ultrasound (AFU) as a drug loading technique to protect RNA from degradation by encapsulating small RNA in nanoliposomes, which we term nanoplexes. The AFU method is non-invasive and isothermal, as nanoplexes are produced without direct contact with any external materials while maintaining precise temperature control according to the desired settings. The controllability of sample treatments can be effectively modulated, allowing for a wide range of ultrasound intensities to be applied. Importantly, the absence of co-solvents in the process eliminates the need for additional substances, thereby minimizing the potential for cross-contaminations. Since AFU is a non-invasive method, the entire process can be conducted under sterile conditions. A minimal volume (300 μL) is required for this process, and the treatment is speedy (10 min in this study). Our in vitro experiments with silencer CD44 siRNA, which performs as a model therapeutic drug in different mammalian cell lines, showed encouraging results (knockdown > 80%). To quantify gene silencing efficacy, we employed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were employed to capture images of nanoplexes. These images revealed the presence of individual nanoparticles measuring approximately 100-200 nm in contrast with the random distribution of clustered complexes observed in ultrasound-untreated samples of liposome nanoparticles and siRNA. AFU holds great potential as a standardized liposome processing and loading method because its process is fast, sterile, and does not require additional solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Ranjan
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA), Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Stef Bosch
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hannamari Lukkari
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- FinVector Oy, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna Schirmer
- Nanoscience Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Niina Aaltonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heikki J Nieminen
- Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA), Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Vesa-Pekka Lehto
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Urtti
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tatu Lajunen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
- Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Rilla
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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9
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Liang A, Liu C, Branicio PS. Colloid Transport in Bicontinuous Nanoporous Media. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:10868-10883. [PMID: 38756103 PMCID: PMC11140755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Colloid transport and retention in porous media are critical processes influencing various Earth science applications, from groundwater remediation to enhanced oil recovery. These phenomena become particularly complex in the confined spaces of nanoporous media, where strong boundary layer effects and nanoconfinement significantly alter colloid behavior. In this work, we use particle dynamics models to simulate colloid transport and retention processes in bicontinuous nanoporous (BNP) media under pressure gradients. By utilizing particle-based models, we track the movement of each colloid and elucidate the underlying colloid retention mechanisms. Under unfavorable attachment conditions, the results reveal two colloid retention mechanisms: physical straining and trapping in low-flow zone. Furthermore, we investigate the effects of critical factors including colloid volume fraction, d, pressure difference, ΔP, interaction between colloids and BNP media, Ec-p, and among colloids, Ec-c, on colloid transport. Analysis of breakthrough curves and colloid displacements demonstrates that higher values of d, lower values of ΔP, and strong Ec-p attractions significantly increase colloid retention, which further lead to colloid clogging and jamming. In contrast, Ec-c has minimal impact on colloid transport due to the limited colloid-colloid interaction in nanoporous channels. This work provides critical insights into the fundamental factors governing colloid transport and retention within stochastic nanoporous materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoyan Liang
- Mork Family Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, University
of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0242, United States
| | - Chang Liu
- Mork Family Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, University
of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0242, United States
| | - Paulo S. Branicio
- Mork Family Department of Chemical
Engineering and Materials Science, University
of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-0242, United States
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10
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Djellouli A, Van Raemdonck B, Wang Y, Yang Y, Caillaud A, Weitz D, Rubinstein S, Gorissen B, Bertoldi K. Shell buckling for programmable metafluids. Nature 2024; 628:545-550. [PMID: 38570688 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The pursuit of materials with enhanced functionality has led to the emergence of metamaterials-artificially engineered materials whose properties are determined by their structure rather than composition. Traditionally, the building blocks of metamaterials are arranged in fixed positions within a lattice structure1-19. However, recent research has revealed the potential of mixing disconnected building blocks in a fluidic medium20-27. Inspired by these recent advances, here we show that by mixing highly deformable spherical capsules into an incompressible fluid, we can realize a 'metafluid' with programmable compressibility, optical behaviour and viscosity. First, we experimentally and numerically demonstrate that the buckling of the shells endows the fluid with a highly nonlinear behaviour. Subsequently, we harness this behaviour to develop smart robotic systems, highly tunable logic gates and optical elements with switchable characteristics. Finally, we demonstrate that the collapse of the shells upon buckling leads to a large increase in the suspension viscosity in the laminar regime. As such, the proposed metafluid provides a promising platform for enhancing the functionality of existing fluidic devices by expanding the capabilities of the fluid itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Djellouli
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bert Van Raemdonck
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven and Flanders Make, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Yang Wang
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yi Yang
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anthony Caillaud
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David Weitz
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shmuel Rubinstein
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Gorissen
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven and Flanders Make, Heverlee, Belgium.
| | - Katia Bertoldi
- J.A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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11
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Laporte AAH, Masson TM, Zondag SDA, Noël T. Multiphasic Continuous-Flow Reactors for Handling Gaseous Reagents in Organic Synthesis: Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in Chemical Processes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316108. [PMID: 38095968 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316108] [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: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of reactive gaseous reagents for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) remains a scientific challenge due to safety and efficiency limitations. The implementation of continuous-flow reactors has resulted in rapid development of gas-handling technology because of several advantages such as increased interfacial area, improved mass- and heat transfer, and seamless scale-up. This technology enables shorter and more atom-economic synthesis routes for the production of pharmaceutical compounds. Herein, we provide an overview of literature from 2016 onwards in the development of gas-handling continuous-flow technology as well as the use of gases in functionalization of APIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annechien A H Laporte
- Flow Chemistry Group, van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom M Masson
- Flow Chemistry Group, van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan D A Zondag
- Flow Chemistry Group, van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy Noël
- Flow Chemistry Group, van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA), Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Nguyen T, Manikantan H. Cross-streamline migration and near-wall depletion of elastic fibers in micro-channel flows. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1725-1735. [PMID: 38285458 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01499a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The complex dynamics of elastic fibers in viscous fluids are central to many biological and industrial systems. Fluid-structure interactions underlying these dynamics govern the shape and transport of flexible fibers, and understanding these interactions can help tune flow properties in applications such as microfluidic separation, printing and clogging. In this work, we use slender-body theory to study micromechanical dynamics that arise from the coupling between the elastic backbone of a fiber and the local straining flow that contributes to filament flipping and cross-streamline migration. The resulting transverse drift is unbiased in either direction in simple shear flow. However, a non-uniform shear rate results in bias towards regions of high shear, which we connect to the shape transitions during flips. We discover a depletion layer that forms near the boundaries of pressure-driven channel flow due to the competition between such a cross-streamline drift and steric exclusion from the walls. Finally, we develop scaling laws for the curvature of filaments during flip events, demonstrating the origin of the drift bias in non-uniform flows, and confirm this behavior from our simulations. Put together, these results shed light on the role of a local and dominant coupling between elasticity and viscous resistance in dictating long-term dynamics and transport of elastic fibers in confined flows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Nguyen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Harishankar Manikantan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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13
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Chen Q, Zhai H, Beebe DJ, Li C, Wang B. Visualization-enhanced under-oil open microfluidic system for in situ characterization of multi-phase chemical reactions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1155. [PMID: 38326343 PMCID: PMC10850056 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45076-7] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Under-oil open microfluidic system, utilizing liquid-liquid boundaries for confinements, offers inherent advantages including clogging-free flow channels, flexible access to samples, and adjustable gas permeation, making it well-suited for studying multi-phase chemical reactions that are challenging for closed microfluidics. However, reports on the novel system have primarily focused on device fabrication and functionality demonstrations within biology, leaving their application in broader chemical analysis underexplored. Here, we present a visualization-enhanced under-oil open microfluidic system for in situ characterization of multi-phase chemical reactions with Raman spectroscopy. The enhanced system utilizes a semi-transparent silicon (Si) nanolayer over the substrate to enhance visualization in both inverted and upright microscope setups while reducing Raman noise from the substrate. We validated the system's chemical stability and capability to monitor gas evolution and gas-liquid reactions in situ. The enhanced under-oil open microfluidic system, integrating Raman spectroscopy, offers a robust open-microfluidic platform for label-free molecular sensing and real-time chemical/biochemical process monitoring in multi-phase systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyuan Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Hang Zhai
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Chao Li
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Bu Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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14
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Liang Y, Liu J, Dong P, Qin Y, Zhang R, Bradford SA. Retention and release of black phosphorus nanoparticles in porous media under various physicochemical conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 339:139604. [PMID: 37482317 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Black phosphorus nanosheets/nanoparticles (BPNs) are widely applied in many fields. However, the transport of BPNs in the subsurface still has not yet been reported and there is increasing concern about potential adverse impacts on ecosystems. Roles of median grain size and surface roughness, BPN concentration, and solution chemistries (pH, ionic strength, and cation types) on the retention and release of BPNs in column experiments were therefore investigated. The mobility of BPNs significantly increased with increasing grain size and decreasing surface roughness due to their influence on the mass transfer rate, number of deposition sites and retention capacity, and straining processes. Transport of BPNs was enhanced with an increase in pH and a decrease in ionic strength because of surface deprotonation and stronger repulsion that tends to reduce aggregation. The BPN transport was significantly sensitive to ionic strength, compared with other engineered nanoparticles. Additionally, charge heterogeneity and cation-bridging played a critical role in the retention of BPNs in the presence of divalent cations. Higher input concentrations increased the retention of BPNs, probably because collisions, aggregation at pore throat locations, and hydrodynamic bridging were more pronounced. Small fractions of BPNs can be released under decreasing IS and increasing pH due to the expansion of the electrical double layer and increased repulsion at convex roughness locations. A mathematical model that includes provisions for advective dispersive transport and time-dependent retention with blocking or ripening terms well described the retention and release of BPNs. These findings provide fundamental information that helps to understand the transport of BPNs in the subsurface environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liang
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Jinxing Liu
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Pengcheng Dong
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yan Qin
- School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Rupin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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15
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Chin CL, Huang LJ, Lu ZX, Weng WC, Chao L. Using the Water Absorption Ability of Dried Hydrogels to Form Hydrogel-Supported Lipid Bilayers. Gels 2023; 9:751. [PMID: 37754432 PMCID: PMC10530932 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090751] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on hydrogels can act as a biocompatible anti-fouling interface. However, generating continuous and mobile SLBs on materials other than conventional glass or mica remains a significant challenge. The interaction between lipid membrane vesicles and a typical hydrogel is usually insufficient to induce membrane vesicle rupture and form a planar lipid membrane. In this study, we demonstrate that the water absorption ability of a dried polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel could serve as a driving force to facilitate the formation of the hydrogel-SLBs. The absorption driving force vanishes after the hydrogels are fully hydrated, leaving no extra interaction hindering lipid lateral mobility in the formed SLBs. Our fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) results show that SLBs only form on hydrogels with adequate absorption abilities. Moreover, we discovered that exposure to oxygen during drying could lead to the formation of an oxidized crust on the PAAm hydrogel surface, impeding SLB formation. Therefore, minimizing oxygen exposure during drying is crucial to achieving high-quality hydrogel surfaces for SLB formation. This water absorption method enables the straightforward fabrication of hydrogel-SLBs without the need for additional substrates or charges, thereby expanding their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ling Chao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
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16
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Baldovin M, Guéry-Odelin D, Trizac E. Control of Active Brownian Particles: An Exact Solution. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:118302. [PMID: 37774311 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.118302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Control of stochastic systems is a challenging open problem in statistical physics, with a wealth of potential applications from biology to granulates. Unlike most cases investigated so far, we aim here at controlling a genuinely out-of-equilibrium system, the two dimensional active Brownian particles model in a harmonic potential, a paradigm for the study of self-propelled bacteria. We search for protocols for the driving parameters (stiffness of the potential and activity of the particles) bringing the system from an initial passivelike steady state to a final activelike one, within a chosen time interval. The exact analytical results found for this prototypical model of self-propelled particles brings control techniques to a wider class of out-of-equilibrium systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Baldovin
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, LPTMS, 91405, Orsay, France
- Institute for Complex Systems, CNR, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - David Guéry-Odelin
- Université Paul Sabatier-Toulouse 3, CNRS, LCAR, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Emmanuel Trizac
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, LPTMS, 91405, Orsay, France
- Ecole normale supérieure de Lyon, F-69342 Lyon, France
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17
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Udepurkar AP, Nandiwale KY, Jensen KF, Kuhn S. Heterogeneous photochemical reaction enabled by an ultrasonic microreactor. REACT CHEM ENG 2023; 8:1930-1936. [PMID: 38013744 PMCID: PMC10388398 DOI: 10.1039/d3re00154g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The presence of solids as starting reagents/reactants or products in flow photochemical reactions can lead to reactor clogging and yield reduction from side reactions. We address this limitation with a new ultrasonic microreactor for continuous solid-laden photochemical reactions. The ultrasonic photochemical microreactor is characterized by the liquid and solid residence time distribution (RTD) and the absorbed photon flux in the reactor via chemical actinometry. The solid-handling capability of the ultrasonic photochemical microreactor is demonstrated with a silyl radical-mediated metallaphotoredox cross-electrophile coupling with a solid base as a reagent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket P Udepurkar
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
| | - Kakasaheb Y Nandiwale
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge Massachusetts 02139 USA
| | - Klavs F Jensen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge Massachusetts 02139 USA
| | - Simon Kuhn
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering Celestijnenlaan 200F 3001 Leuven Belgium
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18
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Song Z, Lin ES, Uddin MH, Abid HA, Ong JW, Ng TW. Graphene Oxide Paper Manipulation of Micro-Reactor Drops. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1306. [PMID: 37512618 PMCID: PMC10384384 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Digital microfluidics, which relies on the movement of drops, is relatively immune to clogging problems, making it suited for micro-reactor applications. Here, graphene oxide paper of 100 μm thickness, fabricated by blade coating sedimented dispersions onto roughened substrates, followed by drying and mechanical exfoliation, was found to be relatively free of cracks and curling. It also exhibited high wettability and elasto-capillary characteristics. Possessing low enough stiffness, it could rapidly and totally self-wrap water drops of 20 μL volume placed 2 mm from its edge when oriented between 0 and 60° to the horizontal. This complete wrapping behavior allowed drops to be translated via movement of the paper over long distances without dislodgement notwithstanding accelerations and decelerations. An amount of 2 drops that were wrapped with separate papers, when collided with each other at speeds up to 0.64 m/s, were found to eschew coalescence. This portends the development of robust digital microfluidic approaches for micro-reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Song
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Eric Shen Lin
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Md Hemayet Uddin
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Rd., Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Hassan Ali Abid
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jian Wern Ong
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tuck Wah Ng
- Laboratory for Optics and Applied Mechanics, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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19
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Hoggarth J, Ono-Dit-Biot JC, Dalnoki-Veress K. Two-dimensional spreading of frictionless adhesive oil droplets. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:3747-3753. [PMID: 37191096 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01655a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
When sand flows out of a funnel onto a surface, a three dimensional pile that is stabilized by friction grows taller as it spreads. Here we investigate an idealized two dimensional analogue: spreading of a pile of monodisperse oil droplets at a boundary. In our system the droplets are buoyant, adhesive, and in contrast to sand, friction is negligible. The buoyant droplets are added to the pile one-at-a-time. As the aggregate grows, it reaches a critical height and the 2D pile spreads out across the barrier. We find that, while granularity is important, the growth process is reminiscent of a continuum liquid. A "granular capillary length", analogous to the capillary length in liquids, sets the critical height of the aggregate through a balance of buoyancy and adhesion. At a coarse-grained level, the granular capillary length is capable of describing both steady-state characteristics and dynamic properties of the system, while at a granular level repeated collapsing events play a critical role in the formation of the pile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathan Hoggarth
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
| | - Jean-Christophe Ono-Dit-Biot
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
| | - Kari Dalnoki-Veress
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.
- UMR CNRS Gulliver 7083, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
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20
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Cordeiro T, Matos I, Danède F, Sotomayor JC, Fonseca IM, Corvo MC, Dionísio M, Viciosa MT, Affouard F, Correia NT. Evidence of Strong Guest-Host Interactions in Simvastatin Loaded in Mesoporous Silica MCM-41. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051320. [PMID: 37242562 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051320] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A rational design of drug delivery systems requires in-depth knowledge not only of the drug itself, in terms of physical state and molecular mobility, but also of how it is distributed among a carrier and its interactions with the host matrix. In this context, this work reports the behavior of simvastatin (SIM) loaded in mesoporous silica MCM-41 matrix (average pore diameter ~3.5 nm) accessed by a set of experimental techniques, evidencing that it exists in an amorphous state (X-ray diffraction, ssNMR, ATR-FTIR, and DSC). The most significant fraction of SIM molecules corresponds to a high thermal resistant population, as shown by thermogravimetry, and which interacts strongly with the MCM silanol groups, as revealed by ATR-FTIR analysis. These findings are supported by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations predicting that SIM molecules anchor to the inner pore wall through multiple hydrogen bonds. This anchored molecular fraction lacks a calorimetric and dielectric signature corresponding to a dynamically rigid population. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry showed a weak glass transition that is shifted to lower temperatures compared to bulk amorphous SIM. This accelerated molecular population is coherent with an in-pore fraction of molecules distinct from bulklike SIM, as highlighted by MD simulations. MCM-41 loading proved to be a suitable strategy for a long-term stabilization (at least three years) of simvastatin in the amorphous form, whose unanchored population releases at a much higher rate compared to the crystalline drug dissolution. Oppositely, the surface-attached molecules are kept entrapped inside pores even after long-term release assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cordeiro
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Inês Matos
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Florence Danède
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - João C Sotomayor
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Isabel M Fonseca
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Marta C Corvo
- i3N|Cenimat, Materials Science Department, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Madalena Dionísio
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - María Teresa Viciosa
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Institute of Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Frédéric Affouard
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Natália T Correia
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INRAE, Centrale Lille, UMR 8207 - UMET - Unité Matériaux et Transformations, F-59000 Lille, France
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21
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Kwon C, Chung AJ. Highly efficient mRNA delivery with nonlinear microfluidic cell stretching for cellular engineering. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:1758-1767. [PMID: 36727443 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01115h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the past few years, messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Clinically, mRNA-based drugs have been used for cancer immunotherapy, infectious diseases, and genomic disorders. To maximize the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA, the exact amount of mRNAs must be delivered to the target locations without degradation; however, traditional delivery modalities, such as lipid carriers and electroporation, are suboptimal because of their high cost, cell-type sensitivity, low scalability, transfection/delivery inconsistency, and/or loss of cell functionality. Therefore, new effective and stable delivery methods are required. Accordingly, we present a novel nonlinear microfluidic cell stretching (μ-cell stretcher) platform that leverages viscoelastic fluids, i.e., methylcellulose (MC) solutions, and cell mechanoporation for highly efficient and robust intracellular mRNA delivery. In the proposed platform, cells suspended in MC solutions with mRNAs were injected into a microchannel where they rapidly passed through a single constriction. Owing to the use of viscoelastic MC solutions, a high shear force was applied to the cells, effectively creating transient nanopores. This feature allows mRNAs to be effectively internalized through generated membrane discontinuities. Using this platform, high delivery efficiency (∼97%), high throughput (∼3.5 × 105 cells per min), cell-type-/cargo-size-insensitive delivery, simple operation (single-step), low analyte consumption, low-cost operation (<$1), and nearly clogging-free operation were demonstrated, demonstrating the high potential of the proposed platform for application in mRNA-based cellular engineering research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Kwon
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Aram J Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health (PPH), Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, 02841 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- MxT Biotech, 04785 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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22
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Kelly G, Bizmark N, Chakraborty B, Datta SS, Fai TG. Modeling the Transition between Localized and Extended Deposition in Flow Networks through Packings of Glass Beads. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:128204. [PMID: 37027860 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.128204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
We use a theoretical model to explore how fluid dynamics, in particular, the pressure gradient and wall shear stress in a channel, affect the deposition of particles flowing in a microfluidic network. Experiments on transport of colloidal particles in pressure-driven systems of packed beads have shown that at lower pressure drop, particles deposit locally at the inlet, while at higher pressure drop, they deposit uniformly along the direction of flow. We develop a mathematical model and use agent-based simulations to capture these essential qualitative features observed in experiments. We explore the deposition profile over a two-dimensional phase diagram defined in terms of the pressure and shear stress threshold, and show that two distinct phases exist. We explain this apparent phase transition by drawing an analogy to simple one-dimensional mass-aggregation models in which the phase transition is calculated analytically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gess Kelly
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, USA
| | - Navid Bizmark
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA
| | - Bulbul Chakraborty
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, USA
| | - Sujit S Datta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Thomas G Fai
- Mathematics Department and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, USA
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23
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Malgaretti P, Harting J. Closed Formula for Transport across Constrictions. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:470. [PMID: 36981357 PMCID: PMC10047801 DOI: 10.3390/e25030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the Fick-Jacobs approximation has been exploited to capture transport across constrictions. Here, we review the derivation of the Fick-Jacobs equation with particular emphasis on its linear response regime. We show that, for fore-aft symmetric channels, the flux of noninteracting systems is fully captured by its linear response regime. For this case, we derive a very simple formula that captures the correct trends and can be exploited as a simple tool to design experiments or simulations. Lastly, we show that higher-order corrections in the flux may appear for nonsymmetric channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Malgaretti
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 90429 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jens Harting
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 90429 Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 90429 Erlangen, Germany
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24
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Moore CP, Husson J, Boudaoud A, Amselem G, Baroud CN. Clogging of a Rectangular Slit by a Spherical Soft Particle. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:064001. [PMID: 36827557 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.064001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The capture of a soft spherical particle in a rectangular slit leads to a nonmonotonic pressure-flow rate relation at low Reynolds number. Simulations reveal that the flow induced deformations of the trapped particle focus the streamlines and pressure drop to a small region. This increases the resistance to flow by several orders of magnitude as the driving pressure is increased. As a result, two regimes are observed in experiments and simulations: a flow-dominated regime for small particle deformations, where flow rate increases with pressure, and an elastic-dominated regime in which solid deformations block the flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Paul Moore
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Physical microfluidics and Bioengineering, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Julien Husson
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Arezki Boudaoud
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Gabriel Amselem
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Charles N Baroud
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Physical microfluidics and Bioengineering, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
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25
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Design and construction of a microfluidics workstation for high-throughput multi-wavelength fluorescence and transmittance activated droplet analysis and sorting. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:1090-1136. [PMID: 36707723 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics has revolutionized quantitative high-throughput bioassays and screening, especially in the field of single-cell analysis where applications include cell characterization, antibody discovery and directed evolution. However, droplet microfluidic platforms capable of phenotypic, fluorescence-based readouts and sorting are still mostly found in specialized labs, because their setup is complex. Complementary to conventional FACS, microfluidic droplet sorters allow the screening of cell libraries for secreted factors, or even for the effects of secreted or surface-displayed factors on a second cell type. Furthermore, they also enable PCR-activated droplet sorting for the isolation of genetic material harboring specific markers. In this protocol, we provide a detailed step-by-step guide for the construction of a high-throughput droplet analyzer and sorter, which can be accomplished in ~45 working hours by nonspecialists. The resulting instrument is equipped with three lasers to excite the fluorophores in droplets and photosensors that acquire fluorescence signals in the blue (425-465 nm), green (505-545 nm) and red (580-630 nm) spectrum. This instrument also allows transmittance-activated droplet sorting by analyzing the brightfield light intensity transmitting through the droplets. The setup is validated by sorting droplets containing fluorescent beads at 200 Hz with 99.4% accuracy. We show results from an experiment where droplets hosting single cells were sorted on the basis of increased matrix metalloprotease activity as an application of our workstation in single-cell molecular biology, e.g., to analyze molecular determinants of cancer metastasis.
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26
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Jams and Cakes: A Closer Look on Well Clogging Mechanisms in Microscale Produced Water ReInjection Experiments. Transp Porous Media 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11242-023-01900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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27
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Lei W, Lu X, Wang M. Multiphase displacement manipulated by micro/nanoparticle suspensions in porous media via microfluidic experiments: From interface science to multiphase flow patterns. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 311:102826. [PMID: 36528919 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102826] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiphase displacement in porous media can be adjusted by micro/nanoparticle suspensions, which is widespread in many scientific and industrial contexts. Direct visualization of suspension flow dynamics and corresponding multiphase patterns is crucial to understanding displacement mechanisms and eventually optimizing these processes in geological, biological, chemical, and other engineering systems. However, suspension flow inside the opaque realistic porous media makes direct observation challenging. The advances in microfluidic experiments have provided us with alternative methods to observe suspension influence on the interface and multiphase flow behaviors at high temporal and spatial resolutions. Macroscale processes are controlled by microscale interfacial behaviors, which are affected by multiple physical factors, such as particle adsorption, capillarity, and hydrodynamics. These properties exerted on the suspension flow in porous media may lead to interesting interfacial phenomena and new displacement consequences. As an underpinning science, understanding and controlling the suspension transport process from interface to flow patterns in porous media is critical for a lower operating cost to improve resource production while reducing harmful emissions and other environmental impacts. This review summarizes the basic properties of different micro/nanoparticle suspensions and the state-of-the-art microfluidic techniques for displacement research activities in porous media. Various suspension transport behaviors and displacement mechanisms explored by microfluidic experiments are comprehensively reviewed. This review is expected to boost both experimental and theoretical understanding of suspension transport and interfacial interaction processes in porous media. It also brings forward the challenges and opportunities for future research in controlling complex fluid flow in porous media for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhai Lei
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xukang Lu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Moran Wang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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28
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Centner CS, Moore JT, Baxter ME, Yaddanapudi K, Bates PJ, Kopechek JA. Comparison of Acoustofluidic and Static Systems for Ultrasound-Mediated Molecular Delivery to T Lymphocytes. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:90-105. [PMID: 36241589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Continuous-flow acoustofluidic technologies can potentially improve processing of T lymphocytes for cell therapies by addressing the limitations with viral and non-viral delivery methods. The objective of this study was to assess the intracellular delivery efficiency with acoustofluidic treatment compared with that of static ultrasound treatment. Optimization of parameters in acoustofluidic and static configurations was performed by assessing intracellular delivery of a fluorescent compound (calcein) in viable human Jurkat T lymphocytes. Ultrasound pressure and the concentration of cationic phospholipid-coated microbubbles influenced calcein delivery in both systems. In the static system, a treatment time of 45 s increased molecular delivery compared with 0-30 s (p < 0.01). Refined parameters were used to assess molecular delivery of small and large compounds (0.6-kDa calcein and 150-kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, respectively) after ultrasound treatment with the acoustofluidic or static systems. Molecular delivery was similar with refined parameters for acoustofluidic treatment and static treatment (p > 0.05), even though acoustofluidic treatment had lower microbubble concentration (24 μg/mL vs. 94 μg/mL) and shorter treatment time (∼2-3 s vs. 45 s). This study indicates that the acoustofluidic system can significantly enhance intracellular molecular delivery, which could potentially enable acoustofluidic cell transfection during continuous flow processing for manufacture of cell therapies or other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor S Centner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - John T Moore
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mary E Baxter
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Paula J Bates
- School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jonathan A Kopechek
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
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29
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Flow dynamics through discontinuous clogs of rigid particles in tapered microchannels. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22587. [PMID: 36585430 PMCID: PMC9803713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25831-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Suspended particles flowing through complex porous spaces exhibit clogging mechanisms determined by factors including their size, deformability, and the geometry of the confinement. This study describes the clogging of rigid particles in a microfluidic device made up of parallel microchannels that taper from the inlet to the outlet, where the constriction width is approximately equal to the particle size. This converging geometry summarizes the dynamics of clogging in flow channels with constrictions that narrow over multiple length scales. Our novel approach allows the investigation of suspension flow dynamics in confined systems where clogs are formed both by sieving and bridging mechanisms simultaneously. Here, flow tests are conducted at constant driving pressures for different particle volume fractions, and a power-law decay which appears to be peculiar to the channels' tapered geometry is observed in all cases. Compared to non-tapered channels, the power-law behavior shows flowrate decay is significantly weaker in tapered channels. This weaker flowrate decay is explained by the formation of discontinuous clogs within each channel. Micrographs of the clogged channels reveal clogs do not grow continuously from their initial positions around the channels' outlet. Rather, new clogs spanning the width of the channel at their points of inception are successively formed as the cake grows toward the inlet area in each microchannel. The results show changes in particle volume fraction at constant driving pressure affect the clogging rate without impacting the underlying dynamics. Unexpectedly, analyses of the particles packing behavior in the microchannels, and post-clogging permeability of the microfluidic devices, reveal the presence of two distinct regimes of driving pressure, though only a small portion of the total device volume and channels surface area are occupied by clogs, regardless of the particle volume fraction. This novel investigation of discontinuous clogging over multiple particle diameters provides unique insights into additional mechanisms to control flow losses in filtration and other confined systems.
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30
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Delouche N, Dersoir B, Schofield AB, Tabuteau H. Structure and flow conditions through a colloidal packed bed formed under flow and confinement. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8995-9007. [PMID: 36385518 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00419d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
When a colloidal suspension flows in a constriction, particles deposit and are able to clog it entirely, this fouling process being followed by the accumulation of particles. The knowledge of the dynamics of formation of such a dense particle assembly behind the clog head and its structural features is of primary importance in many industrial and environmental processes and especially during filtration. While most studies concentrate on the conditions under which pore clogging occurs, i.e., the pore narrowing up to its complete obstruction, this paper focuses on the accumulation of particles that follows pore obstruction. We determine the relative contribution of the confinement dimensions, the ionic strength and the flow conditions on the permeability and particle volume fraction of the resultant accumulation. In high confinement the irreversible deposition of particles on the channel surfaces controls the structure of the accumulation and the flow through it, irrespective of the other conditions, leading to a Darcy flow. Finally, we show that contrarily to the clog head, in which there is cohesion between particles, those in the subsequent accumulation are held together by the fluid and form a dense suspension of repulsive hard spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Delouche
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IPR (Institut de Physique de Rennes)-UMR 6251, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - B Dersoir
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IPR (Institut de Physique de Rennes)-UMR 6251, F-35000 Rennes, France.
| | - A B Schofield
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, The James Clerk Maxwell Building, The King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, UK
| | - H Tabuteau
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IPR (Institut de Physique de Rennes)-UMR 6251, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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31
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Jeong DH, Xing L, Boutin JB, Sauret A. Particulate suspension coating of capillary tubes. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8124-8133. [PMID: 36239275 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01211a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The displacement of a suspension of particles by an immiscible fluid in a capillary tube or in porous media is a canonical configuration that finds application in a large number of natural and industrial applications, including water purification, dispersion of colloids and microplastics, coating and functionalization of tubings. The influence of particles dispersed in the fluid on the interfacial dynamics and on the properties of the liquid film left behind remain poorly understood. Here, we study the deposition of a coating film on the walls of a capillary tube induced by the translation of a suspension plug pushed by air. We identify the different deposition regimes as a function of the translation speed of the plug, the particle size, and the volume fraction of the suspension. The thickness of the coating film is characterized, and we show that similarly to dip coating, three coating regimes are observed, liquid only, heterogeneous, and thick films. We also show that, at first order, the thickness of films thicker than the particle diameter can be predicted using the effective viscosity of the suspension. Nevertheless, we also report that for large particles and concentrated suspensions, a shear-induced migration mechanism leads to local variations in volume fraction and modifies the deposited film thickness and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- D-H Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - L Xing
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - J-B Boutin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - A Sauret
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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32
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Valencia A, LeMen C, Ellero C, Lafforgue-Baldas C, F. Morris J, Schmitz P. Direct observation of the microfiltration of yeast cells at the micro-scale: Characterization of cake properties. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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33
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Vani N, Escudier S, Sauret A. Influence of the solid fraction on the clogging by bridging of suspensions in constricted channels. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:6987-6997. [PMID: 36069637 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00962e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Clogging can occur whenever a suspension of particles flows through a confined system. The formation of clogs is often correlated to a reduction in the cross-section of the channel. In this study, we consider the clogging by bridging, i.e., through the formation of a stable arch of particles at a constriction that hinders the transport of particles downstream of the clog. To characterize the role of the volume fraction of the suspension on the clogging dynamics, we study the flow of particulate suspensions through 3D-printed millifluidic devices. We systematically characterize the bridging of non-Brownian particles in a quasi-bidimensional system in which we directly visualize and track the particles as they flow and form arches at a constriction. We report the conditions for clogging by bridging when varying the constriction width to particle diameter ratio for different concentrations of the particles in suspension. We then discuss our results using a stochastic model to rationalize the influence of solid fraction on the probability of clogging. Understanding the mechanisms and conditions of clog formation is an important step for optimizing engineering design and developing more reliable dispensing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Vani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
| | - Sacha Escudier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
| | - Alban Sauret
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
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34
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Khan AH, Jiang X, Kaushik A, Nair HS, Edirisinghe M, Mercado-Shekhar KP, Shekhar H, Dalvi SV. Combining Ultrasound and Capillary-Embedded T-Junction Microfluidic Devices to Scale Up the Production of Narrow-Sized Microbubbles through Acoustic Fragmentation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:10288-10304. [PMID: 35943351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01676] [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
Microbubbles are tiny gas-filled bubbles that have a variety of applications in ultrasound imaging and therapeutic drug delivery. Microbubbles can be synthesized using a number of techniques including sonication, amalgamation, and saline shaking. These approaches can produce highly concentrated microbubble suspensions but offer minimal control over the size and polydispersity of the microbubbles. One of the simplest and effective methods for producing monodisperse microbubbles is capillary-embedded T-junction microfluidic devices, which offer great control over the microbubble size. However, lower production rates (∼200 bubbles/s) and large microbubble sizes (∼300 μm) limit the applicability of such devices for biomedical applications. To overcome the limitations of these technologies, we demonstrate in this work an alternative approach to combine a capillary-embedded T-junction device with ultrasound to enhance the generation of narrow-sized microbubbles in aqueous suspensions. Two T-junction microfluidic devices were connected in parallel and combined with an ultrasonic horn to produce lipid-coated SF6 core microbubbles in the size range of 1-8 μm. The rate of microbubble production was found to increase from 180 microbubbles/s in the absence of ultrasound to (6.5 ± 1.2) × 106 bubble/s in the presence of ultrasound (100% ultrasound amplitude). When stored in a closed environment, the microbubbles were observed to be stable for up to 30 days, with the concentration of the microbubble suspension decreasing from ∼2.81 × 109/mL to ∼2.3 × 106/mL and the size changing from 1.73 ± 0.2 to 1.45 ± 0.3 μm at the end of 30 days. The acoustic response of these microbubbles was examined using broadband attenuation spectroscopy, and flow phantom imaging was performed to determine the ability of these microbubble suspensions to enhance the contrast relative to the surrounding tissue. Overall, this approach of coupling ultrasound with microfluidic parallelization enabled the continuous production of stable microbubbles at high production rates and low polydispersity using simple T-junction devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaqib H Khan
- Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Xinyue Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 7JE, U.K
| | - Anuj Kaushik
- Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Hari S Nair
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Mohan Edirisinghe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 7JE, U.K
| | - Karla P Mercado-Shekhar
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Himanshu Shekhar
- Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Sameer V Dalvi
- Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
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35
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Ferrer J, Jiang Q, Menner A, Bismarck A. An approach for the scalable production of macroporous polymer beads. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 616:834-845. [PMID: 35248970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A tubular co-flow reactor to produce macroporous polymer beads by polymerization of medium and high internal phase emulsion (M/HIPE) templates was developed. This reactor allows for improved production rates compared to tubing based microfluidic devices. Water-in-oil (W/O) M/HIPEs, containing methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) monomers in the continuous phase, were injected into a re-circulating carrier phase. The continuous phase of the emulsion droplets was UV polymerized in situ, resulting in polyM/HIPE beads. The emulsion composition was adjusted to produce poly(MMA-co-EGDMA) porous polymer beads with a protective crust and an interconnected internal pore structure. HCl loaded beads were produced by adding the active ingredient into the dispersed emulsion phase, leading to HCl encapsulation in the porous structure of the beads after polymerization. Even after exposure to ambient conditions for 24 h, 60% of the HCl remained in the beads, indicating good encapsulation efficiencies. Thus, it is possible to use such macroporous beads as delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ferrer
- Polymer & Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Institute of Materials Chemistry & Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Microinstrumentation Lab, Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A1S6, Canada.
| | - Qixiang Jiang
- Polymer & Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Institute of Materials Chemistry & Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Menner
- Polymer & Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Institute of Materials Chemistry & Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Bismarck
- Polymer & Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Institute of Materials Chemistry & Research, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 42, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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36
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Schätzlein E, Kicker C, Söhling N, Ritz U, Neijhoft J, Henrich D, Frank J, Marzi I, Blaeser A. 3D-Printed PLA-Bioglass Scaffolds with Controllable Calcium Release and MSC Adhesion for Bone Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14122389. [PMID: 35745964 PMCID: PMC9229101 DOI: 10.3390/polym14122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Large bone defects are commonly treated by replacement with auto- and allografts, which have substantial drawbacks including limited supply, donor site morbidity, and possible tissue rejection. This study aimed to improve bone defect treatment using a custom-made filament for tissue engineering scaffolds. The filament consists of biodegradable polylactide acid (PLA) and a varying amount (up to 20%) of osteoconductive S53P4 bioglass. By employing an innovative, additive manufacturing technique, scaffolds with optimized physico-mechanical and biological properties were produced. The scaffolds feature adjustable macro- and microporosity (200–2000 µm) with adaptable mechanical properties (83–135 MPa). Additionally, controllable calcium release kinetics (0–0.25 nMol/µL after 24 h), tunable mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) adhesion potential (after 24 h by a factor of 14), and proliferation (after 168 h by a factor of 18) were attained. Microgrooves resulting from the 3D-printing process on the surface act as a nucleus for cell aggregation, thus being a potential cell niche for spheroid formation or possible cell guidance. The scaffold design with its adjustable biomechanics and the bioglass with its antimicrobial properties are of particular importance for the preclinical translation of the results. This study comprehensibly demonstrates the potential of a 3D-printed bioglass composite scaffold for the treatment of critical-sized bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schätzlein
- Institute for BioMedical Printing Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany;
| | | | - Nicolas Söhling
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.S.); (J.N.); (D.H.); (J.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Ulrike Ritz
- BiomaTiCS Group, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55122 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Jonas Neijhoft
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.S.); (J.N.); (D.H.); (J.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Dirk Henrich
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.S.); (J.N.); (D.H.); (J.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Johannes Frank
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.S.); (J.N.); (D.H.); (J.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Ingo Marzi
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (N.S.); (J.N.); (D.H.); (J.F.); (I.M.)
| | - Andreas Blaeser
- Institute for BioMedical Printing Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany;
- Centre for Synthetic Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
- Correspondence:
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37
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Micro-particle entrainment from density mismatched liquid carrier system. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9806. [PMID: 35697827 PMCID: PMC9192781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14162-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-scale inorganic particles (d > 1 µm) have reduced surface area and higher density, making them negatively buoyant in most dip-coating mixtures. Their controlled delivery in hard-to-reach places through entrainment is possible but challenging due to the density mismatch between them and the liquid matrix called liquid carrier system (LCS). In this work, the particle transfer mechanism from the complex density mismatching mixture was investigated. The LCS solution was prepared and optimized using a polymer binder and an evaporating solvent. The inorganic particles were dispersed in the LCS by stirring at the just suspending speed to maintain the pseudo suspension characteristics for the heterogeneous mixture. The effect of solid loading and the binder volume fraction on solid transfer has been reported at room temperature. Two coating regimes are observed (i) heterogeneous coating where particle clusters are formed at a low capillary number and (ii) effective viscous regime, where full coverage can be observed on the substrate. 'Zero' particle entrainment was not observed even at a low capillary number of the mixture, which can be attributed to the presence of the binder and hydrodynamic flow of the particles due to the stirring of the mixture. The critical film thickness for particle entrainment is [Formula: see text] for 6.5% binder and [Formula: see text] for 10.5% binder, which are smaller than previously reported in literature. Furthermore, the transferred particle matrices closely follow the analytical expression (modified LLD) of density matching suspension which demonstrate that the density mismatch effect can be neutralized with the stirring energy. The findings of this research will help to understand this high-volume solid transfer technique and develop novel manufacturing processes.
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Agglomeration Regimes of Particles under a Linear Laminar Flow: A Numerical Study. MATHEMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/math10111931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a combined smoothed particle hydrodynamics and discrete element method (SPH-DEM) model was proposed to model particle agglomeration in a shear flow. The fluid was modeled with the SPH method and the solid particles with DEM. The system was governed by three fundamental dimensionless groups: the Reynolds number Re (1.5 ~ 150), which measured the effect of the hydrodynamics; the adhesion number Ad (6 × 10−5 ~ 6 × 10−3), which measured the inter-particle attraction; and the solid fraction α, which measured the concentration of particles. Based on these three dimensionless groups, several agglomeration regimes were found. Within these regimes, the aggregates could have different sizes and shapes that went from long thread-like structures to compact spheroids. The effect of the particle–particle interaction model was also investigated. The results were combined into ‘agglomeration maps’ that allowed for a quick determination of the agglomerate type once α, Re, Ad were known.
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39
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Fast adhesion calculation for collisions between arbitrarily shaped particles and a wall. POWDER TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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40
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Hamami R, Simaan-Yameen H, Gargioli C, Seliktar D. Comparison of Four Different Preparation Methods for Making Injectable Microgels for Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy. REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40883-022-00261-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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41
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Kelly G, Fai TG. Multi-scale model of clogging in microfluidic devices with grid-like geometries. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2022.0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a coarse-grained theoretical model to capture the ageing of microfluidic devices under different conditions including constant applied flow rate and constant applied pressure gradient. Microfluidic devices that sort cells by their deformability hold significant promise for medical applications. However, clogging in these microfluidic systems causes their properties to change over time and potentially limits their reliability. We compare the results of the coarse-grained model with those of stochastic simulations and with existing theoretical studies. Lastly, we apply the model to experimental data on the clogging of sickle red blood cells and discuss its wider applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gess Kelly
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Thomas G. Fai
- Mathematics Department and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
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42
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Kim DY, Jung SY, Lee YJ, Ahn KH. Effect of Colloidal Interactions and Hydrodynamic Stress on Particle Deposition in a Single Micropore. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:6013-6022. [PMID: 35507428 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Clogging is ubiquitous. It happens in a wide range of material processing and causes severe performance degradation or process breakdown. In this study, we investigate clogging dynamics in a single micropore by controlling the surface property of the particle and processing condition. Microfluidic observation is conducted to investigate particle deposition in a contraction microchannel where polystyrene suspension is injected as a feed solution. The particle deposition area is quantified using the images taken using a CCD camera in both upstream and downstream of the microchannel. Pressure drop across the microchannel is also measured. When the particle interaction is repulsive, the deposition occurs mostly in downstream, while an opposite tendency is identified when the particle interaction is attractive. More complex deposition characteristics are found as the flow rate is changed. Particle flux density and the ratio of lift force to colloidal force are introduced to explain the clogging dynamics. This study provides a useful insight to alleviate clogging issues by controlling the colloidal interaction and hydrodynamic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Yeon Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Seon Yeop Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 16890, Korea
| | - Young Jin Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Ahn
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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43
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Civelekoglu O, Wang N, Arifuzzman A, Boya M, Sarioglu AF. Automated lightless cytometry on a microchip with adaptive immunomagnetic manipulation. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 203:114014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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44
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Büning D, Ennen-Roth F, Netke T, Schumacher J, Ulbricht M. Microfiltration of polymeric microgels as soft model colloids through sterile filter membranes. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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45
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Nickel AC, Rudov AA, Potemkin II, Crassous JJ, Richtering W. Interfacial Assembly of Anisotropic Core-Shell and Hollow Microgels. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:4351-4363. [PMID: 35349289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microgels, cross-linked polymers with submicrometer size, are ideal soft model systems. While spherical microgels have been studied extensively, anisotropic microgels have hardly been investigated. In this study, we compare the interfacial deformation and assembly of anisotropic core-shell and hollow microgels. The core-shell microgel consists of an elliptical core of hematite covered with a thin silica layer and a thin shell made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The hollow microgels were obtained after a two-step etching procedure of the inorganic core. The behavior of these microgels at the oil-water interface was investigated in a Langmuir-Blodgett trough combined with ex situ atomic force microscopy. First, the influence of the architecture of anisotropic microgels on their spreading at the interface was investigated experimentally and by dissipative particle dynamic simulations. Hereby, the importance of the local shell thickness on the lateral and longitudinal interfacial deformation was highlighted as well as the differences between the core-shell and hollow architectures. The shape of the compression isotherms as well as the dimensions, ordering, and orientation of the microgels at the different compressions were analyzed. Due to their anisotropic shape and stiffness, both anisotropic microgels were found to exhibit significant capillary interactions with a preferential side-to-side assembly leading to stable microgel clusters at low interfacial coverage. Such capillary interactions were found to decrease in the case of the more deformable hollow anisotropic microgels. Consequently, anisotropic hollow microgels were found to distribute more evenly at high surface pressure compared to stiffer core-shell microgels. Our findings emphasize the complex interplay between the colloid design, anisotropy, and softness on the interfacial assembly and the opportunities it therefore offers to create more complex ordered interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Nickel
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Andrey A Rudov
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Igor I Potemkin
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Jérôme J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
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46
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Van Hoeck J, Braeckmans K, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K. Non-viral siRNA delivery to T cells: Challenges and opportunities in cancer immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2022; 286:121510. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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47
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Dincau B, Tang C, Dressaire E, Sauret A. Clog mitigation in a microfluidic array via pulsatile flows. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1767-1778. [PMID: 35080574 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00013j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Clogging is a common obstacle encountered during the transport of suspensions and represents a significant energy and material cost across applications, including water purification, irrigation, biopharmaceutical processing, and aquifer recharge. Pulsatile pressure-driven flows can help mitigate clogging when compared to steady flows. Here, we study experimentally the influence of the amplitude of pulsation 0.25P0 ≤ δP ≤ 1.25P0, where P0 is the mean pressure, and of the frequency of pulsation 10-3 Hz ≤ f ≤ 10-1 Hz on clog mitigation in a microfluidic array of parallel channels using a dilute suspension of colloidal particles. The array geometry is representative of a classical filter, with parallel pores that clog over time, yielding a filter cake that continues to grow and can interact with other pores. We combine flow rate measurements with direct visualizations at the pore scale to correlate the observed clogging dynamics with the changes in flow rate. We observe that all pulsatile amplitudes at 0.1 Hz yield increased throughput compared to steady flows. The rearrangement of particles when subject to a dynamic shear environment can delay the clogging of a pore or even remove an existing clog. However, this benefit is drastically reduced at 10-2 Hz and disappears at 10-3 Hz as the pulsatile timescale becomes too large compared to the timescale associated with the clogging and the growth of the filter cakes in this system. The present study demonstrates that pulsatile flows are a promising method to delay clogging at both the pore and system scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Dincau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
| | - Connor Tang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
| | - Emilie Dressaire
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
| | - Alban Sauret
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
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Abdollahzadeh L, Seyfi Mazraeno M, Hosseini SN, Fazlali A, Khatami M. Application of a 3D printed miniaturized hydrocyclone in biopharmaceutical industry-numerical and experimental studies of yeast separation from fermentation culture media. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2022; 53:31-39. [PMID: 35225162 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2022.2035746] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Various industries ranging from water purification to pharmaceutical production have experienced multi separation steps that impose more process time and contamination possibility by batch operation. We propose a developed microfluidic particle sorter (miniaturized hydrocyclone) that adopts centrifugal force as it has ability to decline the number of separation steps and the risk of extrinsic contamination in continuous process. While biological industries have not relied on mini hydrocyclones considerably because of low efficiency and microfabrication difficulties, current work has been planned to conquer these obstacles. In this research, biomass separation from fermentation broth by 3 mm hydrocyclones was investigated. The effect of apex size, feed flow rate, hydrocyclone geometry were analyzed numerically in four mini-hydrocyclones. The most efficient mini-hydrocyclone was chosen to be made by elegant additive manufacturing technology and studied experimentally. The separation efficiency was achieved up to 90% while the concentration ratio of heavy stream (apex) to dilute stream (vortex finder) was reached more than twofold. The mini hydrocyclone performance in view of energy target was studied by Euler-Reynolds-Efficiency plots. The 4 μm cut size was achieved that is promising high throughput separation for biological particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laleh Abdollahzadeh
- Department of Hepatitis B Vaccine Production, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Nezamedin Hosseini
- Department of Hepatitis B Vaccine Production, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Fazlali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | - Maryam Khatami
- Department of Hepatitis B Vaccine Production, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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49
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CFD-DEM Study of Bridging Mechanism of Particles in Ceramic Membrane Pores under Surface Filtration Conditions. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10030475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In the surface filtration process with pores larger than the particle size, the formation of particle bridges plays a crucial role in the filter cake structure and the filtration efficiency throughout the filtration process. First, to understand the microscopic information required for the bridging mechanism, we use the two-way coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the deposition characteristics of particles in the pores of ceramic membranes. Next, by dynamically observing the deposition morphology and bridging process of particles, the bridging mechanism was revealed at the level of a single hole. Then, we studied the influence of particle concentration and inlet velocity on the bridge erection process. The results show that the bridging function of particles runs through the clean filtration stage and the transition stage. Particle concentration and inlet flow rate have a crucial influence on the formation of particle bridges and filtration efficiency.
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50
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Long T, Wu H, Qiao C, Bao B, Zhao S, Liu H. Nonnegligible nano-confinement effect on solvent-mediated interactions between nanoparticles. Chem Eng Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.117238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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