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Klement WJN, Savino E, Browne WR, Verpoorte E. In-line Raman imaging of mixing by herringbone grooves in microfluidic channels. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3498-3507. [PMID: 38920114 PMCID: PMC11235414 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00115j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The control over fluid flow achievable in microfluidic devices creates opportunities for applications in many fields. In simple microchannels, flow is purely laminar when one solvent is used, and hence, achieving reliable mixing is an important design consideration. Integration of structures, such as grooves, into the channels to act as static mixers is a commonly used approach. The mixing induced by these structures can be validated by determining concentration profiles in microfluidic channels following convergence of solvent streams from separate inlets. Spatially resolved characterisation is therefore necessary and requires in-line analysis methods. Here we report a line-focused illumination approach to provide operando, spatially resolved Raman spectra across the width of channels in the analysis of single- and multi-phase liquid systems and chemical reactions. A scientific complementary metal oxide semiconductor (sCMOS) sensor is used to overcome smearing encountered during spectral readout of images with CCD sensors. Isotopically labelled probes, in otherwise identical flow streams, show that z-confocality limits the spatial resolution and certainty as to the extent of mixing that can be achieved. These limitations are overcome using fast chemical reactions between reagents entering a microchannel in separate solvent streams. We show here that the progression of a chemical reaction, for which only the product is observable, is a powerful approach to determine the extent of mixing in a microchannel. Specifically resonance enhancement of Raman scattering from a product formed allows for determination of the true efficiency of mixing over the length and width of microchannels. Raman spectral images obtained by line-focused illumination show onset of mixing by observing the product of reagents entering from the separate inlets. Mixing is initially off-centre and immediately before the apex of the first groove of the static mixer, and then evolves along the entire width of the channel after a full cycle of grooves.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Niels Klement
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elia Savino
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wesley R Browne
- Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Elisabeth Verpoorte
- Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands
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2
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Oliveira MJ, Dalot A, Fortunato E, Martins R, Byrne HJ, Franco R, Águas H. Microfluidic SERS devices: brightening the future of bioanalysis. DISCOVER MATERIALS 2022; 2:12. [PMID: 36536830 PMCID: PMC9751519 DOI: 10.1007/s43939-022-00033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A new avenue has opened up for applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the biomedical field, mainly due to the striking advantages offered by SERS tags. SERS tags provide indirect identification of analytes with rich and highly specific spectral fingerprint information, high sensitivity, and outstanding multiplexing potential, making them very useful in in vitro and in vivo assays. The recent and innovative advances in nanomaterial science, novel Raman reporters, and emerging bioconjugation protocols have helped develop ultra-bright SERS tags as powerful tools for multiplex SERS-based detection and diagnosis applications. Nevertheless, to translate SERS platforms to real-world problems, some challenges, especially for clinical applications, must be addressed. This review presents the current understanding of the factors influencing the quality of SERS tags and the strategies commonly employed to improve not only spectral quality but the specificity and reproducibility of the interaction of the analyte with the target ligand. It further explores some of the most common approaches which have emerged for coupling SERS with microfluidic technologies, for biomedical applications. The importance of understanding microfluidic production and characterisation to yield excellent device quality while ensuring high throughput production are emphasised and explored, after which, the challenges and approaches developed to fulfil the potential that SERS-based microfluidics have to offer are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Oliveira
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and, CEMOP/UNINOVA, Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana Dalot
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and, CEMOP/UNINOVA, Caparica, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Elvira Fortunato
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and, CEMOP/UNINOVA, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Martins
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and, CEMOP/UNINOVA, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Hugh J. Byrne
- FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Camden Row, Dublin 8, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ricardo Franco
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Hugo Águas
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and, CEMOP/UNINOVA, Caparica, Portugal
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3
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Xia L, Li G. Recent progress of microfluidics in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis. J Sep Sci 2021; 44:1752-1768. [PMID: 33630352 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202001196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is a significant analytical tool capable of fingerprint identification of molecule in a rapid and ultrasensitive manner. However, it is still hard to meet the requirements of practical sample analysis. The introduction of microfluidics can effectively enhance the performance of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in complex sample analysis including reproducibility, selectivity, sensitivity, and speed. This review summarizes the recent progress of microfluidics in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis through four combination approaches. First, microfluidic synthetic techniques offer uniform nano-/microparticle fabrication approaches for reproductive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis. Second, the integration of microchip and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic substrate provides advanced devices for sensitive and efficient detection. Third, microfluidic sample preparations enable rapid separation and preconcentration of analyte prior to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic detection. Fourth, highly integrated microfluidic devices can be employed to realize multistep surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis containing material fabrication, sample preparation, and detection processes. Furthermore, the challenges and outlooks of the application of microfluidics in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic analysis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xia
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Gongke Li
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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Lafuente M, Pellejero I, Clemente A, Urbiztondo MA, Mallada R, Reinoso S, Pina MP, Gandía LM. In Situ Synthesis of SERS-Active Au@POM Nanostructures in a Microfluidic Device for Real-Time Detection of Water Pollutants. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:36458-36467. [PMID: 32646210 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c06725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a simple, versatile, and low-cost approach for the preparation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active regions within a microfluidic channel 50 cm in length. The approach involves the UV-light-driven formation of polyoxometalate-decorated gold nanostructures, Au@POM (POM: H3PW12O40 (PW) and H3PMo12O40 (PMo)), that self-assemble in situ on the surface of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels without any extra functionalization procedure. The fabricated LoCs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis, Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The SERS activity of the resulting Au@POM-coated lab-on-a-chip (LoC) devices was evaluated in both static and flow conditions using rhodamine R6G. The SERS response of Au@PW-based LoCs was found to be superior to Au@PMo counterparts and outstanding when compared to reported data on metal@POM nanocomposites. We demonstrate the potentialities of both Au@POM-coated LoCs as analytical platforms for real-time detection of the organophosphorous pesticide paraoxon-methyl at 10-6 M concentration level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lafuente
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, Campus Rio Ebro, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ismael Pellejero
- Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (InaMat2), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio Jerónimo de Ayanz, Campus de Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alberto Clemente
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, Campus Rio Ebro, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (InaMat2), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio Jerónimo de Ayanz, Campus de Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel A Urbiztondo
- Centro Universitario de la Defensa de Zaragoza, Carretera Huesca s/n, 50090 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Reyes Mallada
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, Campus Rio Ebro, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Reinoso
- Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (InaMat2), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio Jerónimo de Ayanz, Campus de Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María P Pina
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Edificio I+D+i, Campus Rio Ebro, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Gandía
- Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics (InaMat2), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Edificio Jerónimo de Ayanz, Campus de Arrosadia, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
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Tonello S, Bianchetti A, Braga S, Almici C, Marini M, Piovani G, Guindani M, Dey K, Sartore L, Re F, Russo D, Cantù E, Francesco Lopomo N, Serpelloni M, Sardini E. Impedance-Based Monitoring of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Three-Dimensional Proliferation Using Aerosol Jet Printed Sensors: A Tissue Engineering Application. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 13:E2231. [PMID: 32413993 PMCID: PMC7287852 DOI: 10.3390/ma13102231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One of the main hurdles to improving scaffolds for regenerative medicine is the development of non-invasive methods to monitor cell proliferation within three-dimensional environments. Recently, an electrical impedance-based approach has been identified as promising for three-dimensional proliferation assays. A low-cost impedance-based solution, easily integrable with multi-well plates, is here presented. Sensors were developed using biocompatible carbon-based ink on foldable polyimide substrates by means of a novel aerosol jet printing technique. The setup was tested to monitor the proliferation of human mesenchymal stromal cells into previously validated gelatin-chitosan hybrid hydrogel scaffolds. Reliability of the methodology was assessed comparing variations of the electrical impedance parameters with the outcomes of enzymatic proliferation assay. Results obtained showed a magnitude increase and a phase angle decrease at 4 kHz (maximum of 2.5 kΩ and -9 degrees) and an exponential increase of the modeled resistance and capacitance components due to the cell proliferation (maximum of 1.5 kΩ and 200 nF). A statistically significant relationship with enzymatic assay outcomes could be detected for both phase angle and electric model parameters. Overall, these findings support the potentiality of this non-invasive approach for continuous monitoring of scaffold-based cultures, being also promising in the perspective of optimizing the scaffold-culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tonello
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Bianchetti
- Laboratory for Stem Cells Manipulation and Cryopreservation, Department of Transfusion Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.B.); (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Simona Braga
- Laboratory for Stem Cells Manipulation and Cryopreservation, Department of Transfusion Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.B.); (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Camillo Almici
- Laboratory for Stem Cells Manipulation and Cryopreservation, Department of Transfusion Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.B.); (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Mirella Marini
- Laboratory for Stem Cells Manipulation and Cryopreservation, Department of Transfusion Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.B.); (C.A.); (M.M.)
| | - Giovanna Piovani
- Biology and Genetics Division, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Michele Guindani
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1250, USA;
| | - Kamol Dey
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (K.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Luciana Sartore
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (K.D.); (L.S.)
| | - Federica Re
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (D.R.)
| | - Domenico Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (D.R.)
| | - Edoardo Cantù
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.C.); (N.F.L.); (M.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Nicola Francesco Lopomo
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.C.); (N.F.L.); (M.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Mauro Serpelloni
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.C.); (N.F.L.); (M.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Emilio Sardini
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.C.); (N.F.L.); (M.S.); (E.S.)
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Liu Q, Stenbæk Schmidt M, Thienpont H, Ottevaere H. A Tunable Freeform-Segmented Reflector in a Microfluidic System for Conventional and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20051250. [PMID: 32106463 PMCID: PMC7085544 DOI: 10.3390/s20051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We present a freeform-segmented reflector-based microfluidic system for conventional Raman and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) analysis. The segmented reflector is directly designed by a numerical approach. The polymer-based Raman system strongly suppresses the undesirable background because it enables confocal detection of Raman scattering through the combination of a freeform reflector and a microfluidic chip. We perform systematic simulations using non-sequential ray tracing with the Henyey-Greenstein model to assess the Raman scattering behavior of the substance under test. We fabricate the freeform reflector and the microfluidic chip by means of ultra-precision diamond turning and laser cutting respectively. We demonstrate the confocal behavior by measuring the Raman spectrum of ethanol. Besides, we calibrate the setup by performing Raman measurements on urea and potassium nitrate solutions with different concentrations. The detection limit of our microfluidic system is approximately 20 mM according to the experiment. Finally, we implement a SERS microfluidic chip and discriminate 100 µM urea and potassium nitrate solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Brussels Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (Q.L.); (H.T.)
| | - Michael Stenbæk Schmidt
- Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345 east, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Hugo Thienpont
- Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Brussels Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (Q.L.); (H.T.)
| | - Heidi Ottevaere
- Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Brussels Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Flanders Make, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium; (Q.L.); (H.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-629-34-51
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Serpelloni M, Cantù E, Borghetti M, Sardini E. Printed Smart Devices on Cellulose-Based Materials by means of Aerosol-Jet Printing and Photonic Curing. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E841. [PMID: 32033245 PMCID: PMC7038689 DOI: 10.3390/s20030841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Printed electronics is an expanding research field that can reach the goal of reducing the environmental impact on electronics exploiting renewable and biodegradable materials, like paper. In our work, we designed and tested a new method for fabricating hybrid smart devices on cellulose substrates by aerosol jet printing (AJP) and photonic curing, also known as flash lamp annealing (FLA), capable to cure low temperature materials without any damage. Three different cellulose-based materials (chromatographic paper, photopaper, cardboard) were tested. Multilayer capability and SMDs (surface mount devices) interconnections are possible permitting high flexibility in the fabrication process. Electrical and geometrical tests were performed to analyze the behavior of printed samples. Resulted resistivities are 26.3 × 10-8 m on chromatographic paper, 22.3 × 10-8 m on photopaper and 13.1 × 10-8 m on cardboard. Profilometer and optical microscope evaluations were performed to state deposition quality and penetration of the ink in cellulose materials (thicknesses equal to 24.9, 28.5, and 51 μm respectively for chromatographic paper, photopaper, and cardboard). Furthermore, bending (only chromatographic paper did not reach the break-up) and damp environment tests (no significant variations in resistance) where performed. A final prototype of a complete functioning multilayer smart devices on cellulose 3D-substrate is shown, characterized by multilayers, capacitive sensors, SMDs interconnections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Serpelloni
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Edoardo Cantù
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (E.S.)
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