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Alioglu MA, Yilmaz YO, Gerhard EM, Pal V, Gupta D, Rizvi SHA, Ozbolat IT. A Versatile Photocrosslinkable Silicone Composite for 3D Printing Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 2024; 9:2301858. [PMID: 38883438 PMCID: PMC11178280 DOI: 10.1002/admt.202301858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Embedded printing has emerged as a valuable tool for fabricating complex structures and microfluidic devices. Currently, an ample of amount of research is going on to develop new materials to advance its capabilities and increase its potential applications. Here, we demonstrate a novel, transparent, printable, photocrosslinkable, and tuneable silicone composite that can be utilized as a support bath or an extrudable ink for embedded printing. Its properties can be tuned to achieve ideal rheological properties, such as optimal self-recovery and yield stress, for use in 3D printing. When used as a support bath, it facilitated the generation microfluidic devices with circular channels of diameter up to 30 μm. To demonstrate its utility, flow focusing microfluidic devices were fabricated for generation of Janus microrods, which can be easily modified for multitude of applications. When used as an extrudable ink, 3D printing of complex-shaped constructs were achieved with integrated electronics, which greatly extends its potential applications towards soft robotics. Further, its biocompatibility was tested with multiple cell types to validate its applicability for tissue engineering. Altogether, this material offers a myriad of potential applications (i.e., soft robotics, microfluidics, bioprinting) by providing a facile approach to develop complicated 3D structures and interconnected channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mecit Altan Alioglu
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yasar Ozer Yilmaz
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Ethan Michael Gerhard
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Vaibhav Pal
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepak Gupta
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Syed Hasan Askari Rizvi
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ibrahim T. Ozbolat
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Engineering Science and Mechanics Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Materials Research Institute, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey 17033, PA, USA
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State University, Hershey 17033, PA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cukurova University, Adana 01130, Turkey
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Seo S, Kim T. Gas transport mechanisms through gas-permeable membranes in microfluidics: A perspective. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:061301. [PMID: 38025658 PMCID: PMC10656118 DOI: 10.1063/5.0169555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Gas-permeable membranes (GPMs) and membrane-like micro-/nanostructures offer precise control over the transport of liquids, gases, and small molecules on microchips, which has led to the possibility of diverse applications, such as gas sensors, solution concentrators, and mixture separators. With the escalating demand for GPMs in microfluidics, this Perspective article aims to comprehensively categorize the transport mechanisms of gases through GPMs based on the penetrant type and the transport direction. We also provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in GPM-integrated microfluidic devices, provide an overview of the fundamental mechanisms underlying gas transport through GPMs, and present future perspectives on the integration of GPMs in microfluidics. Furthermore, we address the current challenges associated with GPMs and GPM-integrated microfluidic devices, taking into consideration the intrinsic material properties and capabilities of GPMs. By tackling these challenges head-on, we believe that our perspectives can catalyze innovative advancements and help meet the evolving demands of microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjin Seo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Taesung Kim
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +82-52-217-2313. Fax: +82-52-217-2409
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Alioglu MA, Yilmaz YO, Gerhard EM, Pal V, Gupta D, Rizvi SHA, Ozbolat IT. A Versatile Photocrosslinkable Silicone Composite for 3D Printing Applications. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.17.549429. [PMID: 37502908 PMCID: PMC10370143 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.17.549429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Embedded printing has emerged as a valuable tool for fabricating complex structures and microfluidic devices. Currently, an ample of amount of research is going on to develop new materials to advance its capabilities and increase its potential applications. Here, we demonstrate a novel, transparent, 3D printable, photocrosslinkable, and tuneable silicone composite that can be utilized as a support bath or an extrudable ink for embedded printing. The proposed silicone composite can be tuned to achieve ideal rheological properties, such as optimal self-recovery and yield stress, for use in 3D printing. When used as a support bath, it facilitated the generation microfluidic devices with circular channels of diameter up to 30 µm. To demonstrate its utility, flow focusing microfluidic devices were fabricated for generation of Janus microrods, which can be easily modified for multitude of applications. When used as an extrudable ink, 3D printing of complex-shaped micro- and macro-constructs were achieved with integrated electronics, which greatly extends its potential applications towards developing complex flexible parts for soft robotics and prosthetics. Further, its biocompatibility was tested with multiple cell types to validate its applicability for medical and tissue engineering use. Altogether, this material offers a myriad of potential applications in material and medical fields by providing a facile approach to develop complicated 3D structures and interconnected channels that can further advance microfluidics and soft-robotics research.
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Temperini ME, Di Giacinto F, Romanò S, Di Santo R, Augello A, Polito R, Baldassarre L, Giliberti V, Papi M, Basile U, Niccolini B, Krasnowska EK, Serafino A, De Spirito M, Di Gaspare A, Ortolani M, Ciasca G. Antenna-enhanced mid-infrared detection of extracellular vesicles derived from human cancer cell cultures. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:530. [PMID: 36514065 PMCID: PMC9746222 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01693-2] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are sub-micrometer lipid-bound particles released by most cell types. They are considered a promising source of cancer biomarkers for liquid biopsy and personalized medicine due to their specific molecular cargo, which provides biochemical information on the state of parent cells. Despite this potential, EVs translation process in the diagnostic practice is still at its birth, and the development of novel medical devices for their detection and characterization is highly required. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrate mid-infrared plasmonic nanoantenna arrays designed to detect, in the liquid and dry phase, the specific vibrational absorption signal of EVs simultaneously with the unspecific refractive index sensing signal. For this purpose, EVs are immobilized on the gold nanoantenna surface by immunocapture, allowing us to select specific EV sub-populations and get rid of contaminants. A wet sample-handling technique relying on hydrophobicity contrast enables effortless reflectance measurements with a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectro-microscope in the wavelength range between 10 and 3 µm. In a proof-of-principle experiment carried out on EVs released from human colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) cells, the protein absorption bands (amide-I and amide-II between 5.9 and 6.4 µm) increase sharply within minutes when the EV solution is introduced in the fluidic chamber, indicating sensitivity to the EV proteins. A refractive index sensing curve is simultaneously provided by our sensor in the form of the redshift of a sharp spectral edge at wavelengths around 5 µm, where no vibrational absorption of organic molecules takes place: this permits to extract of the dynamics of EV capture by antibodies from the overall molecular layer deposition dynamics, which is typically measured by commercial surface plasmon resonance sensors. Additionally, the described metasurface is exploited to compare the spectral response of EVs derived from cancer cells with increasing invasiveness and metastatic potential, suggesting that the average secondary structure content in EVs can be correlated with cell malignancy. CONCLUSIONS Thanks to the high protein sensitivity and the possibility to work with small sample volumes-two key features for ultrasensitive detection of extracellular vesicles- our lab-on-chip can positively impact the development of novel laboratory medicine methods for the molecular characterization of EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eleonora Temperini
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy ,grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Center for Life Neuro and Nano Sciences IIT@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Giacinto
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Romanò
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Di Santo
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Augello
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Polito
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Leonetta Baldassarre
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Giliberti
- grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Center for Life Neuro and Nano Sciences IIT@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Basile
- grid.414603.4Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Niccolini
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ewa K. Krasnowska
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalucia Serafino
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Gaspare
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.509494.5NEST, CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Ortolani
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy ,grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Center for Life Neuro and Nano Sciences IIT@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- grid.414603.4Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, Rome, Italy ,grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Yang M, Sun N, Luo Y, Lai X, Li P, Zhang Z. Emergence of debubblers in microfluidics: A critical review. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2022; 16:031503. [PMID: 35757146 PMCID: PMC9217167 DOI: 10.1063/5.0088551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Bubbles in microfluidics-even those that appear to be negligibly small-are pervasive and responsible for the failure of many biological and chemical experiments. For instance, they block current conduction, damage cell membranes, and interfere with detection results. To overcome this unavoidable and intractable problem, researchers have developed various methods for capturing and removing bubbles from microfluidics. Such methods are multifarious and their working principles are very different from each other. In this review, bubble-removing methods are divided into two broad categories: active debubblers (that require external auxiliary equipment) and passive debubblers (driven by natural processes). In each category, three main types of methods are discussed along with their advantages and disadvantages. Among the active debubblers, those assisted by lasers, acoustic generators, and negative pressure pumps are discussed. Among the passive debubblers, those driven by buoyancy, the characteristics of gas-liquid interfaces, and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of materials are discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the bubble-removal technologies are reviewed to refer researchers to microfluidics and inspire further investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nan Sun
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | | | | | - Peiru Li
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
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