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Li T, Yang C, Shao Z, Chen Y, Zheng J, Yang J, Hu N. Fabrication of Patterned Magnetic Particles in Microchannels and Their Application in Micromixers. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:408. [PMID: 39329783 PMCID: PMC11430103 DOI: 10.3390/bios14090408] [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: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Due to the extremely low Reynolds number, the mixing of substances in laminar flow within microfluidic channels primarily relies on slow intermolecular diffusion, whereas various rapid reaction and detection requirements in lab-on-a-chip applications often necessitate the efficient mixing of fluids within short distances. This paper presents a magnetic pillar-shaped particle fabrication device capable of producing particles with planar shapes, which are then utilized to achieve the rapid mixing of multiple fluids within microchannels. During the particle fabrication process, a degassed PDMS chip provides self-priming capabilities, drawing in a UV-curable adhesive-containing magnetic powder and distributing it into distinct microwell structures. Subsequently, an external magnetic field is applied, and the chip is exposed to UV light, enabling the mass production of particles with specific magnetic properties through photo-curing. Without the need for external pumping, this chip-based device can fabricate hundreds of magnetic particles in less than 10 min. In contrast to most particle fabrication methods, the degassed PDMS approach enables self-priming and precise dispensing, allowing for precise control over particle shape and size. The fabricated dual-layer magnetic particles, featuring fan-shaped blades and disk-like structures, are placed within micromixing channels. By manipulating the magnetic field, the particles are driven into motion, altering the flow patterns to achieve fluid mixing. Under conditions where the Reynolds number in the chip ranges from 0.1 to 0.9, the mixing index for substances in aqueous solutions exceeds 0.9. In addition, experimental analyses of mixing efficiency for fluids with different viscosities, including 25 wt% and 50 wt% glycerol, reveal mixing indices exceeding 0.85, demonstrating the broad applicability of micromixers based on the rapid rotation of magnetic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Zihao Shao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Ya Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Jiahui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Ning Hu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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Ran J, Wang X, Liu Y, Yin S, Li S, Zhang L. Microreactor-based micro/nanomaterials: fabrication, advances, and outlook. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023. [PMID: 37139613 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00329a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Micro/nanomaterials are widely used in optoelectronics, environmental materials, bioimaging, agricultural industries, and drug delivery owing to their marvelous features, such as quantum tunneling, size, surface and boundary, and Coulomb blockade effects. Recently, microreactor technology has opened up broad prospects for green and sustainable chemical synthesis as a powerful tool for process intensification and microscale manipulation. This review focuses on recent progress in the microreactor synthesis of micro/nanomaterials. First, the fabrication and design principles of existing microreactors for producing micro/nanomaterials are summarized and classified. Afterwards, typical examples are shown to demonstrate the fabrication of micro/nanomaterials, including metal nanoparticles, inorganic nonmetallic nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles, Janus particles, and MOFs. Finally, the future research prospects and key issues of microreactor-based micro/nanomaterials are discussed. In short, microreactors provide new ideas and methods for the synthesis of micro/nanomaterials, which have huge potential and inestimable possibilities in large-scale production and scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ran
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuxu Wang
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanhong Liu
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
| | - Shaohua Yin
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
| | - Shiwei Li
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
| | - Libo Zhang
- Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650093, China
- Key Laboratory of Unconventional Metallurgy, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, Yunnan, China
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Rodríguez CF, Andrade-Pérez V, Vargas MC, Mantilla-Orozco A, Osma JF, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. Breaking the clean room barrier: exploring low-cost alternatives for microfluidic devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1176557. [PMID: 37180035 PMCID: PMC10172592 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1176557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses both science and engineering, which aims to design and fabricate devices capable of manipulating extremely low volumes of fluids on a microscale level. The central objective of microfluidics is to provide high precision and accuracy while using minimal reagents and equipment. The benefits of this approach include greater control over experimental conditions, faster analysis, and improved experimental reproducibility. Microfluidic devices, also known as labs-on-a-chip (LOCs), have emerged as potential instruments for optimizing operations and decreasing costs in various of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical, food, and cosmetics. However, the high price of conventional prototypes for LOCs devices, generated in clean room facilities, has increased the demand for inexpensive alternatives. Polymers, paper, and hydrogels are some of the materials that can be utilized to create the inexpensive microfluidic devices covered in this article. In addition, we highlighted different manufacturing techniques, such as soft lithography, laser plotting, and 3D printing, that are suitable for creating LOCs. The selection of materials and fabrication techniques will depend on the specific requirements and applications of each individual LOC. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the numerous alternatives for the development of low-cost LOCs to service industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Camila Vargas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Johann F. Osma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis H. Reyes
- Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan C. Cruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Lai X, Yang M, Wu H, Li D. Modular Microfluidics: Current Status and Future Prospects. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1363. [PMID: 36014285 PMCID: PMC9414757 DOI: 10.3390/mi13081363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review mainly studies the development status, limitations, and future directions of modular microfluidic systems. Microfluidic technology is an important tool platform for scientific research and plays an important role in various fields. With the continuous development of microfluidic applications, conventional monolithic microfluidic chips show more and more limitations. A modular microfluidic system is a system composed of interconnected, independent modular microfluidic chips, which are easy to use, highly customizable, and on-site deployable. In this paper, the current forms of modular microfluidic systems are classified and studied. The popular fabrication techniques for modular blocks, the major application scenarios of modular microfluidics, and the limitations of modular techniques are also discussed. Lastly, this review provides prospects for the future direction of modular microfluidic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Lai
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Mingpeng Yang
- School of Automation, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Dachao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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