744 results on '"Acoustofluidics"'
Search Results
2. Adaptive ultrasonic actuation for dynamic formation and characterization of 3D cell cultures
- Author
-
Hammarström, Björn, Olofsson, Karl, Carannante, Valentina, Alberio, Sarah, Sandoz, Patrick A., Önfelt, Björn, and Wiklund, Martin
- Published
- 2025
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Continuous flow acoustofluidics in wall-less capillary bridge channels
- Author
-
Maramizonouz, Sadaf, Hawkes, Jeremy J., Rahmati, Mohammad, and Fu, Yong-Qing
- Published
- 2025
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Direct observation of small scale capillary wave turbulence using high speed digital holographic microscopy.
- Author
-
Connacher, William, Orosco, Jeremy, Schmidt, Oliver T., and Friend, James
- Subjects
CAPILLARY waves ,DIGITAL holographic microscopy ,FLUIDICS ,ATOMIZATION ,TURBULENCE - Abstract
Introduction: It is now known that capillary waves driven upon a fluid interface by high frequency (> 1 MHz) ultrasound exhibit capillary wave turbulence: the appearance of waves with phase and wavelength far removed from the excitation signal that drives them. These waves are responsible in significant part for atomization, a useful application for ultrasound, though the physics responsible for their appearance is poorly understood. Methods: We use high-speed digital holographic microscopy to observe these capillary waves, an important step towards understanding their generation and atomization phenomena. Results: We observe Zakharov-Kolmogorov weak wave turbulence for a limited range of input power, and find broader turbulence phenomena outside this range. We see discrete thresholds as the input power is increased, where higher and higher frequency responses are driven in the capillary waves with sudden onset between regimes. Discussion: We employed spatial analysis to find extensions of the capillary wave response to higher frequencies, suggesting there is additional information in the spatial distribution of the capillary wave that is rarely if ever measured. We verified via frequency modulation that nonlinear resonance broadening is present, which undermines the use of Faraday wave or parametric wave theories to characterize these waves, important in the context of atomization which is now, definitively, not a Faraday wave process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2025
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Acoustic Waves Coupling with Polydimethylsiloxane in Reconfigurable Acoustofluidic Platform.
- Author
-
Park, Jeongeun, Cha, Beomseok, Almus, Furkan Ginaz, Sahin, Mehmet Akif, Kang, Hyochan, Kang, Yeseul, Destgeer, Ghulam, and Park, Jinsoo
- Subjects
- *
ACOUSTIC radiation force , *ACOUSTIC streaming , *TRANSMISSION of sound , *ACOUSTIC radiation , *SOUND waves , *MICROFLUIDIC devices - Abstract
Acoustofluidics is a promising technology that leverages acoustic waves for precise manipulation of micro/nano‐scale flows and suspended objects within microchannels. Despite many advantages, the practical applicability of conventional acoustofluidic platforms is limited by irreversible bonding between the piezoelectric actuator and the microfluidic chip. Recently, reconfigurable acoustofluidic platforms are enabled by reversible bonding between the reusable actuator and the replaceable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip by incorporating a PDMS membrane for sealing the microchannel and coupling the acoustic waves with the fluid inside. However, a quantitative guideline for selecting a suitable PDMS membrane for various acoustofluidic applications is still missing. Here, a design rule for reconfigurable acoustofluidic platforms is explored based on a thorough investigation of the PDMS thickness effect on acoustofluidic phenomena: acousto–thermal heating (ATH), acoustic radiation force (ARF), and acoustic streaming flow (ASF). These findings suggest that the relative thickness of the PDMS membrane (t) for acoustic wavelength (λPDMS) determines the wave attenuation in the PDMS and the acoustofluidic phenomena. For t/λPDMS ≈ O(1), the transmission of acoustic waves through the membrane leads to the ARF and ASF phenomena, whereas, for t/λPDMS ≈ O(10), the acoustic waves are entirely absorbed within the membrane, resulting in the ATH phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Acoustography by Beam Engineering and Acoustic Control Node: BEACON.
- Author
-
Yu, Wenjun, Zhu, Haodong, Upreti, Neil, Lu, Brandon, Xu, Xianchen, Lee, Luke P, and Huang, Tony Jun
- Subjects
- *
ANGULAR momentum (Mechanics) , *ACOUSTICAL engineering , *GIRDERS , *PHASE modulation , *AUTOMATIC control systems - Abstract
Acoustic manipulation has emerged as a valuable tool for precision controls and dynamic programming of cells and particles. However, conventional acoustic manipulation approaches lack the finesse necessary to form intricate, configurable, continuous, and 3D patterning of particles. Here, this study reports acoustography by Beam Engineering and Acoustic Control Node (BEACON), which delivers intricate, configurable patterns by guiding particles along custom paths with independent phase modulation. Leveraging analytical methods of orbital angular momentum beam via iterative Wirtinger hologram algorithm, this study accomplish acoustography by facilitating orbital angular momentum traps, enabling continuous 2D and 3D acoustic manipulation of microparticles in any desired geometry, with phase modulation independent of intensity. Utilizing on‐chip acoustography, the BEACON platform markedly increases the space‐bandwidth product to 31 000 while attaining an enhanced resolution with a pixel size of ≈25 µm, surpassing the typical resolution of over 200 µm in previous holographic particle manipulation methods. The capabilities of BEACON are demonstrated in creating intricate triple helical tracing structures using microdroplets (20 µm in diameter) and those carrying DNA to validate the effectiveness of the acoustography and phase control methods. This study offers new particle manipulation opportunities, paving the way for next‐generation biomedical systems and the future of contact‐free precision manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Wireless Frequency‐Multiplexed Acoustic Array‐Based Acoustofluidics.
- Author
-
Li, Jiali, Bo, Luyu, Li, Teng, Zhao, Penghui, Du, Yingshan, Cai, Bowen, Shen, Liang, Sun, Wujin, Zhou, Wei, and Tian, Zhenhua
- Subjects
- *
WIRELESS power transmission , *ACOUSTIC arrays , *SOUND waves , *ACOUSTIC stimulation , *ACOUSTIC radiation force - Abstract
Acoustofluidics has shown great potential in enabling on‐chip technologies for driving liquid flows and manipulating particles and cells for engineering, chemical, and biomedical applications. To introduce on‐demand liquid sample processing and micro/nano‐object manipulation functions to wearable and embeddable electronics, wireless acoustofluidic chips are highly desired. This paper presents wireless acoustofluidic chips to generate acoustic waves carrying sufficient energy and achieve key acoustofluidic functions, including arranging particles and cells, generating fluid streaming, and enriching in‐droplet particles. To enable these functions, the wireless acoustofluidic chips leverage mechanisms, including inductive coupling‐based wireless power transfer (WPT), frequency multiplexing‐based control of multiple acoustic waves, and the resultant acoustic radiation and drag forces. For validation, the wirelessly generated acoustic waves are measured using laser vibrometry when different materials (e.g., bone, tissue, and hand) are inserted between the WPT transmitter and receiver. Moreover, the wireless acoustofluidic chips successfully arrange nanoparticles into different patterns, align cells into parallel pearl chains, generate streaming, and enrich in‐droplet microparticles. This research is anticipated to facilitate the development of embeddable wireless on‐chip flow generators, wearable sensors with liquid sample processing functions, and implantable devices with flow generation and acoustic stimulation abilities for engineering, veterinary, and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Enhanced Acoustic Mixing in Silicon-Based Chips with Sharp-Edged Micro-Structures.
- Author
-
Hashemiesfahan, Mehrnaz, Gelin, Pierre, Gardeniers, Han, and De Malsche, Wim
- Subjects
ACOUSTIC streaming ,SPEED of sound ,SOUND waves ,BIOLOGICAL assay ,CHEMICAL reactions ,PIEZOELECTRIC transducers ,MICROFLUIDIC devices - Abstract
The small dimensions of microfluidic channels allow for fast diffusive or passive mixing, which is beneficial for time-sensitive applications such as chemical reactions, biological assays, and the transport of to-be-detected species to sensors. In microfluidics, the need for fast mixing within milliseconds arises primarily because these devices are often used in fields where rapid and efficient mixing significantly impacts the performance and outcome of the processes. Active mixing with acoustics in microfluidic devices involves using acoustic waves to enhance the mixing of fluids within microchannels. Using sharp corners and wall patterns in acoustofluidic devices significantly enhances the mixing by acoustic streaming around these features. The streaming patterns around the sharp edges are particularly effective for the mixing because they can produce strong lateral flows that rapidly homogenize liquids. This work presents extensive characterizations of the effect of sharp-edged structures on acoustic mixing in bulk acoustic wave (BAW) mode in a silicon microdevice. The effect of side wall patterns in different angles and shapes, their positions, the type of piezoelectric transducer, and its amplitude and frequency have been studied. Following the patterning of the channel walls, a mixing time of 25 times faster was reached, compared to channels with smooth side walls exhibiting conventional BAW behavior. The average locally determined acoustic streaming velocity inside the channel becomes 14 times faster if sharp corners of 10° are added to the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics Directed Toward Drinking Water Monitoring.
- Author
-
Costa, Martim, van der Geer, Liselotte, Joaquim, Miguel, Hammarström, B., Tanriverdi, S., Joensson, H. N., Wiklund, M., and Russom, A.
- Subjects
PARTICLE dynamics ,NANOPARTICLE size ,ENVIRONMENTAL health ,MICROPLASTICS ,POLLUTANTS - Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics have become increasingly relevant as contaminants to be monitored due to their potential health effects and environmental impact. Nanoplastics, in particular, have been shown to be difficult to detect in drinking water, requiring new capture technologies. In this work, we applied the acoustofluidic seed particle method to capture nanoplastics in an optimized, tilted grid of silica clusters even at the high flow rate of 5 mL/min. Moreover, we achieved, using this technique, the enrichment of nanoparticles ranging from 500 nm to 25 nm as a first in the field. We employed fluorescence to observe the enrichment profiles according to size, using a washing buffer flow at 0.5 mL/min, highlighting the size-dependent nature of the silica seed particle release of various sizes of nanoparticles. These results highlight the versatility of acoustic trapping for a wide range of nanoplastic particles and allow further study into the complex dynamics of the seed particle method at these size ranges. Moreover, with reproducible size-dependent washing curves, we provide a new window into the rate of nanoplastic escape in high-capacity acoustic traps, relevant to both environmental and biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Biomodulatory Effects of Molecular Delivery in Human T Cells Using 3D-Printed Acoustofluidic Devices.
- Author
-
Centner, Connor S., Belott, Clinton J., Patel, Riyakumari K., Menze, Michael A., Yaddanapudi, Kavitha, and Kopechek, Jonathan A.
- Subjects
- *
NUCLEAR membranes , *MANUFACTURING cells , *T cells , *CYTOSKELETON , *CELL membranes - Abstract
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. 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. 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. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Acoustofluidic one-step production of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles for portable paper-based ultrasensitive SERS detection of bactericides.
- Author
-
Zhao, Xiong, Cui, Chenyi, Ma, Li, Ding, Zihan, Hou, Junsheng, Xiao, Yaxuan, Liu, Biwu, Qi, Baojin, Zhang, Jinhua, Lu, Xinlan, Wei, Jinjia, Watanabe, Satoshi, and Hao, Nanjing
- Subjects
- *
BACTERICIDES , *SUBSTRATES (Materials science) , *MALACHITE green , *PLASMONICS - Abstract
[Display omitted] SERS measurements for monitoring bactericides in dairy products are highly desired for food safety problems. However, the complicated preparation process of SERS substrates greatly impedes the promotion of SERS. Here, we propose acoustofluidic one-step synthesis of Ag nanoparticles on paper substrates for SERS detection. Our method is economical, fast, simple, and eco-friendly. We adopted laser cutting to cut out appropriate paper shapes, and aldehydes were simultaneously produced at the cutting edge in the pyrolysis of cellulose by laser which were leveraged as the reducing reagent. In the synthesis, only 5 μL of Ag precursor was added to complete the reaction, and no reducing agent was used. Our recently developed acoustofluidic device was employed to intensely mix Ag+ ions and aldehydes and spread the reduced Ag nanoparticles over the substrate. The SERS substrate was fabricated in 1 step and 3 min. The standard R6G solution measurement demonstrated the excellent signal and prominent uniformity of the fabricated SERS substrates. SERS detection of the safe concentration of three bactericides, including tetracycline hydrochloride, thiabendazole, and malachite green, from food samples can be achieved using fabricated substrates. We take the least cost, time, reagents, and steps to fabricate the SERS substrate with satisfying performance. Our work has an extraodinary meaning for the green preparation and large-scale application of SERS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. A Simple Pump-Free Approach to Generating High-Throughput Microdroplets Using Oscillating Microcone Arrays.
- Author
-
Yetiskin, Erturan, Erdem, Ilayda, Gucluer, Sinan, and Ozcelik, Adem
- Subjects
SHEET metal ,MICROFLUIDICS ,MICRODROPLETS ,INDUSTRIAL applications ,SCALABILITY - Abstract
Droplet generation is crucial in various scientific and industrial fields, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and inkjet printing. While microfluidic platforms enable precise droplet formation, traditional methods often require costly and complex setups, limiting their accessibility. This study introduces a simple, low-cost approach using an off-the-shelf unit and a 3D-printed reservoir. The device, equipped with a driver board, piezo-ring transducer, and a metal sheet with holes, generates oil-in-water (O/W) droplets with an average diameter of 4.62 ± 0.67 µm without external fluid pumps. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability make it highly suitable for both lab-on-chip and industrial applications, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale uniform droplet production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Enhanced Acoustic Mixing in Silicon-Based Chips with Sharp-Edged Micro-Structures
- Author
-
Mehrnaz Hashemiesfahan, Pierre Gelin, Han Gardeniers, and Wim De Malsche
- Subjects
sharp corners ,acoustofluidics ,fast mixing ,silicon microchip ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Microscopy ,QH201-278.5 ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
The small dimensions of microfluidic channels allow for fast diffusive or passive mixing, which is beneficial for time-sensitive applications such as chemical reactions, biological assays, and the transport of to-be-detected species to sensors. In microfluidics, the need for fast mixing within milliseconds arises primarily because these devices are often used in fields where rapid and efficient mixing significantly impacts the performance and outcome of the processes. Active mixing with acoustics in microfluidic devices involves using acoustic waves to enhance the mixing of fluids within microchannels. Using sharp corners and wall patterns in acoustofluidic devices significantly enhances the mixing by acoustic streaming around these features. The streaming patterns around the sharp edges are particularly effective for the mixing because they can produce strong lateral flows that rapidly homogenize liquids. This work presents extensive characterizations of the effect of sharp-edged structures on acoustic mixing in bulk acoustic wave (BAW) mode in a silicon microdevice. The effect of side wall patterns in different angles and shapes, their positions, the type of piezoelectric transducer, and its amplitude and frequency have been studied. Following the patterning of the channel walls, a mixing time of 25 times faster was reached, compared to channels with smooth side walls exhibiting conventional BAW behavior. The average locally determined acoustic streaming velocity inside the channel becomes 14 times faster if sharp corners of 10° are added to the wall.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Improved functionality of hepatic spheroids cultured in acoustic levitation compared to existing 2D and 3D models
- Author
-
Lucile Rabiet, Nathan Jeger-Madiot, Duván Rojas García, Lucie Tosca, Gérard Tachdjian, Sabrina Kellouche, Rémy Agniel, Jérôme Larghero, Jean-Luc Aider, and Lousineh Arakelian
- Subjects
Acoustofluidics ,Acoustic levitation ,Spheroids ,Microphysiological system ,Hepatocytes ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Hepatic spheroids are of high interest in basic research, drug discovery and cell therapy. Existing methods for spheroid culture present advantages and drawbacks. An alternative technology is explored: the hepatic spheroid formation and culture in an acoustofluidic chip, using HepaRG cell line. Spheroid formation and morphology, cell viability, genetic stability, and hepatic functions are analyzed after 6 days of culture in acoustic levitation. They are compared to 2D culture and non-levitated 3D cultures. Sizes of the 25 spheroids created in a single acoustofluidic microphysiological system are homogeneous. The acoustic parameters in our system do not induce cell mortality nor DNA damage. Spheroids are cohesive and dense. From a functional point of view, hepatic spheroids obtained by acoustic levitation exhibit polarity markers, secrete albumin and express hepatic genes at higher levels compared to 2D and low attachment 3D cultures. In conclusion, this microphysiological system proves not only to be suitable for long-term culture of hepatic spheroids, but also to favor differentiation and functionality within 6 days of culture.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Separation of Microplastics from Blood Samples Using Traveling Surface Acoustic Waves
- Author
-
Pedro Mesquita, Yang Lin, Liyuan Gong, and Daniel Schwartz
- Subjects
microplastics ,traveling surface acoustic waves (TSAWs) ,microfluidic device ,blood separation ,acoustofluidics ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Biochemistry ,QD415-436 - Abstract
Microplastics have emerged as ubiquitous contaminants, attracting increasing global attention. Recent evidence confirms the presence of microplastics in human blood, suggesting their potential to interact with cells and induce adverse physiological reactions in various organs as blood circulates. To quantify the distribution of microplastics and assess their potential effects on human health, the effective separation of microplastics from blood is crucial. However, current methods for separating microplastics from blood are limited in effectiveness and simplicity. This study proposes a microfluidic device that utilizes traveling surface acoustic waves to separate microplastics from blood. While traveling surface acoustic waves have been employed to separate various particles, a systematic study on the separation of microplastics from blood samples has not been previously reported. Specifically, the theoretical values of the acoustic radiation factor for various types of microplastics and blood cells were investigated. The significant differences in resonant frequencies indicated the feasibility of separating microplastics of different sizes and types from blood cells. Experimental validation was performed using a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device on a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate. The device successfully separated 5- and 10-micrometer polystyrene microplastics from blood samples. The effects of power and flow rate on separation efficiency were also systematically investigated. This study provides a novel approach for the effective separation of microplastics from blood, contributing to the assessment of their distribution and potential health impacts.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Surface Acoustic Wave‐Enhanced Multi‐View Acoustofluidic Rotation Cytometry (MARC) for Pre‐Cytopathological Screening.
- Author
-
Zhang, Xiaoyan, Dumčius, Povilas, Mikhaylov, Roman, Qi, Jiangfa, Stringer, Mercedes, Sun, Chao, Nguyen, Van Dien, Zhou, You, Sun, Xianfang, Liang, Dongfang, Liu, Dongge, Yan, Bing, Feng, Xi, Mei, Changjun, Xu, Cong, Feng, Mingqian, Fu, Yongqing, Clayton, Aled, Zhi, Ruicong, and Tian, Liangfei
- Subjects
- *
ACOUSTIC surface waves , *CELL analysis , *VISION testing , *DIAGNOSIS , *CELLULAR pathology - Abstract
Cytopathology, crucial in disease diagnosis, commonly uses microscopic slides to scrutinize cellular abnormalities. However, processing high volumes of samples often results in numerous negative diagnoses, consuming significant time and resources in healthcare. To address this challenge, a surface acoustic wave‐enhanced multi‐view acoustofluidic rotation cytometry (MARC) technique is developed for pre‐cytopathological screening. MARC enhances cellular morphology analysis through comprehensive and multi‐angle observations and amplifies subtle cell differences, particularly in the nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio, across various cell types and between cancerous and normal tissue cells. By prioritizing MARC‐screened positive cases, this approach can potentially streamline traditional cytopathology, reducing the workload and resources spent on negative diagnoses. This significant advancement enhances overall diagnostic efficiency, offering a transformative vision for cytopathological screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Interplay of acoustophoresis and dielectrophoresis in a standing surface acoustic wave field: from spherical to non-spherical particles.
- Author
-
Sachs, Sebastian, Schreier, David, Brand, Felix, Drese, Klaus Stefan, Cierpka, Christian, and König, Jörg
- Abstract
Standing surface acoustic waves (sSAW) emerged as a flexible tool for precise manipulation of spherical and non-spherical objects in Lab-on-a-Chip devices. While the manipulation of suspended particles and cells in acoustofluidic devices is mostly dominated by acoustic forces due to acoustic scattering and the acoustically induced fluid flow, surface acoustic waves are inherently linked to an inhomogeneous electric field. The superimposed effects of dielectrophoretic forces and torques on polarizable particles are less explored in microfluidics using sSAW. In this study, a thorough analysis of the physical interplay of acoustophoresis and dielectrophoresis aims to bridge this gap. In comprehensive experiments, the dielectrophoretic impact on the behavior of spherical and non-spherical particles is distinguished by screening the electric field of the sSAW inside the micro channel locally. As a result, particles are forced into trapping locations across the entire channel height. However, the height position close to the bottom differs between the screened and non-screened region. Regardless of the shape of the particles used in this study, particles are forced towards the bottom at the region with screening, while being levitated at regions without screening. This indicates clearly the influence of the electric field in close vicinity to the substrate surface. Furthermore, the unintuitive preferred orientation of prolate spheroids perpendicular to the pressure nodes of the sSAW recently reported, is confirmed in both region regardless of the presence of the electric field. Based on a three-dimensional numerical model, this orientation results not only due to the acoustic torque but is also caused by the dielectrophoretic torque, which complement each other. The experimental and numerical findings are in excellent agreement and provide deep insights into the underlying physical mechanisms responsible for patterning and orientation of the particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Airborne Acoustic Vortex End Effector‐Based Contactless, Multi‐Mode, Programmable Control of Object Surfing.
- Author
-
Li, Teng, Li, Jiali, Bo, Luyu, Brooks, Michael R., Du, Yingshan, Cai, Bowen, Pei, Zhe, Shen, Liang, Sun, Chuangchuang, Cheng, Jiangtao, Pan, Y. Albert, and Tian, Zhenhua
- Subjects
- *
ACOUSTIC arrays , *OPTICAL tweezers , *OBJECT manipulation , *ACOUSTIC field , *RADIATION trapping - Abstract
Tweezers based on optical, electric, magnetic, and acoustic fields have shown great potential for contactless object manipulation. However, current tweezers designed for manipulating millimeter‐sized objects such as droplets, particles, and small animals exhibit limitations in translation resolution, range, and path complexity. Here, a novel acoustic vortex tweezers system is introduced, which leverages a unique airborne acoustic vortex end effector integrated with a three‐degree‐of‐freedom (DoF) linear motion stage, for enabling contactless, multi‐mode, programmable manipulation of millimeter‐sized objects. The acoustic vortex end effector utilizes a cascaded circular acoustic array, which is portable and battery‐powered, to generate an acoustic vortex with a ring‐shaped energy pattern. The vortex applies acoustic radiation forces to trap and spin an object at its center, simultaneously protecting this object by repelling other materials away with its high‐energy ring. Moreover, The vortex tweezers system facilitates contactless, multi‐mode, programmable object surfing, as demonstrated in experiments involving trapping, repelling, and spinning particles, translating particles along complex paths, guiding particles around barriers, translating and rotating droplets containing zebrafish larvae, and merging droplets. With these capabilities, It is anticipated that the tweezers system will become a valuable tool for the automated, contactless handling of droplets, particles, and bio‐samples in biomedical and biochemical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Improved functionality of hepatic spheroids cultured in acoustic levitation compared to existing 2D and 3D models.
- Author
-
Rabiet, Lucile, Jeger-Madiot, Nathan, García, Duván Rojas, Tosca, Lucie, Tachdjian, Gérard, Kellouche, Sabrina, Agniel, Rémy, Larghero, Jérôme, Aider, Jean-Luc, and Arakelian, Lousineh
- Subjects
MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL systems ,DRUG discovery ,APPROPRIATE technology ,DNA damage ,CELL survival - Abstract
Hepatic spheroids are of high interest in basic research, drug discovery and cell therapy. Existing methods for spheroid culture present advantages and drawbacks. An alternative technology is explored: the hepatic spheroid formation and culture in an acoustofluidic chip, using HepaRG cell line. Spheroid formation and morphology, cell viability, genetic stability, and hepatic functions are analyzed after 6 days of culture in acoustic levitation. They are compared to 2D culture and non-levitated 3D cultures. Sizes of the 25 spheroids created in a single acoustofluidic microphysiological system are homogeneous. The acoustic parameters in our system do not induce cell mortality nor DNA damage. Spheroids are cohesive and dense. From a functional point of view, hepatic spheroids obtained by acoustic levitation exhibit polarity markers, secrete albumin and express hepatic genes at higher levels compared to 2D and low attachment 3D cultures. In conclusion, this microphysiological system proves not only to be suitable for long-term culture of hepatic spheroids, but also to favor differentiation and functionality within 6 days of culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Separation of Microplastics from Blood Samples Using Traveling Surface Acoustic Waves.
- Author
-
Mesquita, Pedro, Lin, Yang, Gong, Liyuan, and Schwartz, Daniel
- Subjects
ACOUSTIC surface waves ,PLASTIC marine debris ,LITHIUM niobate ,ACOUSTIC radiation ,EMERGING contaminants ,FLOW separation - Abstract
Microplastics have emerged as ubiquitous contaminants, attracting increasing global attention. Recent evidence confirms the presence of microplastics in human blood, suggesting their potential to interact with cells and induce adverse physiological reactions in various organs as blood circulates. To quantify the distribution of microplastics and assess their potential effects on human health, the effective separation of microplastics from blood is crucial. However, current methods for separating microplastics from blood are limited in effectiveness and simplicity. This study proposes a microfluidic device that utilizes traveling surface acoustic waves to separate microplastics from blood. While traveling surface acoustic waves have been employed to separate various particles, a systematic study on the separation of microplastics from blood samples has not been previously reported. Specifically, the theoretical values of the acoustic radiation factor for various types of microplastics and blood cells were investigated. The significant differences in resonant frequencies indicated the feasibility of separating microplastics of different sizes and types from blood cells. Experimental validation was performed using a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device on a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate. The device successfully separated 5- and 10-micrometer polystyrene microplastics from blood samples. The effects of power and flow rate on separation efficiency were also systematically investigated. This study provides a novel approach for the effective separation of microplastics from blood, contributing to the assessment of their distribution and potential health impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. High‐Throughput 3D Imaging Flow Cytometry of Suspended Adherent 3D Cell Cultures.
- Author
-
Yamashita, Minato, Tamamitsu, Miu, Kirisako, Hiromi, Goda, Yuki, Chen, Xiaoyao, Hattori, Kazuki, and Ota, Sadao
- Subjects
- *
THREE-dimensional imaging , *CELL physiology , *MICROFLUIDIC devices , *FLOW cytometry , *FLUORESCENCE microscopy , *CELL culture - Abstract
3D cell cultures are indispensable in recapitulating in vivo environments. Among the many 3D culture methods, culturing adherent cells on hydrogel beads to form spheroid‐like structures is a powerful strategy for maintaining high cell viability and functions in the adherent states. However, high‐throughput, scalable technologies for 3D imaging of individual cells cultured on the hydrogel scaffolds are lacking. This study reports the development of a high throughput, scalable 3D imaging flow cytometry platform for analyzing spheroid models. This platform is realized by integrating a single objective fluorescence light‐sheet microscopy with a microfluidic device that combines hydrodynamic and acoustofluidic focusing techniques. This integration enabled unprecedentedly high‐throughput and scalable optofluidic 3D imaging, processing 1310 spheroids consisting of 28 117 cells min−1. The large dataset obtained enables precise quantification and comparison of the nuclear morphology of adhering and suspended cells, revealing that the adhering cells have smaller nuclei with less rounded surfaces. This platform's high throughput, robustness, and precision for analyzing the morphology of subcellular structures in 3D culture models hold promising potential for various biomedical analyses, including image‐based phenotypic screening of drugs with spheroids or organoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Frontiers in Acoustics
- Subjects
acoustic metamaterials ,acoustic metasurfaces ,acoustofluidics ,noise control ,sound preception ,ultrasound technologies ,Acoustics. Sound ,QC221-246 - Published
- 2024
23. Acoustofluidic assembly of primary tumor-derived organotypic cell clusters for rapid evaluation of cancer immunotherapy.
- Author
-
Wu, Zhuhao, Ao, Zheng, Cai, Hongwei, Li, Xiang, Chen, Bin, Tu, Honglei, Wang, Yijie, Lu, Rongze, Gu, Mingxia, Cheng, Liang, Lu, Xin, and Guo, Feng
- Subjects
Acoustofluidics ,Cancer immunotherapy ,Cancer models ,Cell clusters ,Microfluidics ,Humans ,Female ,Breast Neoplasms ,Immunotherapy - Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy shows promising potential for treating breast cancer. While patients may have heterogeneous treatment responses for adjuvant therapy, it is challenging to predict an individual patients response to cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report primary tumor-derived organotypic cell clusters (POCCs) for rapid and reliable evaluation of cancer immunotherapy. By using a label-free, contactless, and highly biocompatible acoustofluidic method, hundreds of cell clusters could be assembled from patient primary breast tumor dissociation within 2 min. Through the incorporation of time-lapse living cell imaging, the POCCs could faithfully recapitulate the cancer-immune interaction dynamics as well as their response to checkpoint inhibitors. Superior to current tumor organoids that usually take more than two weeks to develop, the POCCs can be established and used for evaluation of cancer immunotherapy within 12 h. The POCCs can preserve the cell components from the primary tumor due to the short culture time. Moreover, the POCCs can be assembled with uniform fabricate size and cell composition and served as an open platform for manipulating cell composition and ratio under controlled treatment conditions with a short turnaround time. Thus, we provide a new method to identify potentially immunogenic breast tumors and test immunotherapy, promoting personalized cancer therapy.
- Published
- 2023
24. Overcoming the Intrinsic Limitations of Fast Charging Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Integrated Acoustic Streaming
- Author
-
Huang, An, Liu, Haodong, Liu, Ping, and Friend, James
- Subjects
Affordable and Clean Energy ,acoustofluidics ,fast charging ,lithium ion batteries ,ultrasound - Published
- 2023
25. Layer-by-Layer Nanoparticle Assembly for Biomedicine: Mechanisms, Technologies, and Advancement via Acoustofluidics.
- Author
-
Rowland, Seth, Aghakhani, Amirreza, Whalley, Richard D., Ferreira, Ana Marina, Kotov, Nicholas, and Gentile, Piergiorgio
- Abstract
The deposition of thin films plays a crucial role in surface engineering, tailoring structural modifications, and functionalization across diverse applications. Layer-by-layer self-assembly, a prominent thin-film deposition method, has witnessed substantial growth since its mid-20th-century inception, driven by the discovery of eligible materials and innovative assembly technologies. Of these materials, micro- and nanoscopic substrates have received far less interest than their macroscopic counterparts; however, this is changing. The catalogue of eligible materials, including nanoparticles, quantum dots, polymers, proteins, cells and liposomes, along with some well-established layer-by-layer technologies, have combined to unlock impactful applications in biomedicine, as well as other areas like food fortification, and water remediation. To access these fields, several well-established technologies have been used, including tangential flow filtration, fluidized bed, atomization, electrophoretic assembly, and dielectrophoresis. Despite the invention of these technologies, the field of particle layer-by-layer still requires further technological development to achieve a high-yield, automatable, and industrially ready process, a requirement for the diverse, reactionary field of biomedicine and high-throughput pharmaceutical industry. This review provides a background on layer-by-layer, focusing on how its constituent building blocks and bonding mechanisms enable unmatched versatility. The discussion then extends to established and recent technologies employed for coating micro- and nanoscopic matter, evaluating their drawbacks and advantages, and highlighting promising areas in microfluidic approaches, where one distinctly auspicious technology emerges, acoustofluidics. The review also explores the potential and demonstrated application of acoustofluidics in layer-by-layer technology, as well as analyzing existing acoustofluidic technologies beyond LbL coating in areas such as cell trapping, cell sorting, and multidimensional particle manipulation. Finally, the review concludes with future perspectives on layer-by-layer nanoparticle coating and the potential impact of integrating acoustofluidic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Characterizing Acoustic Behavior of Silicon Microchannels Separated by a Porous Wall.
- Author
-
Hashemiesfahan, Mehrnaz, Christiaens, Jo Wim, Maisto, Antonio, Gelin, Pierre, Gardeniers, Han, and De Malsche, Wim
- Subjects
ACOUSTIC streaming ,MASS transfer ,STREAMFLOW ,STANDING waves ,SOUND waves ,PIEZOELECTRIC transducers - Abstract
Lateral flow membrane microdevices are widely used for chromatographic separation processes and diagnostics. The separation performance of microfluidic lateral membrane devices is determined by mass transfer limitations in the membrane, and in the liquid phase, mass transfer resistance is dependent on the channel dimensions and transport properties of the species separated by the membrane. We present a novel approach based on an active bulk acoustic wave (BAW) mixing method to enhance lateral transport in micromachined silicon devices. BAWs have been previously applied in channels for mixing and trapping cells and particles in single channels, but this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first instance of their application in membrane devices. Our findings demonstrate that optimal resonance is achieved with minimal influence of the pore configuration on the average lateral flow. This has practical implications for the design of microfluidic devices, as the channels connected through porous walls under the acoustic streaming act as 760 µm-wide channels rather than two 375 µm-wide channels in the context of matching the standing pressure wave criteria of the piezoelectric transducer. However, the roughness of the microchannel walls does seem to play a significant role in mixing. A roughened (black silicon) wall results in a threefold increase in average streaming flow in BAW mode, suggesting potential avenues for further optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. The Design and Investigation of Hybrid a Microfluidic Micromixer.
- Author
-
Waqas, Muhammad, Janusas, Giedrius, Naginevičius, Vytenis, and Palevicius, Arvydas
- Subjects
ACOUSTIC streaming ,REYNOLDS number ,HYBRID systems ,FLUID flow ,SOUND pressure ,SPEED of sound ,MICROFLUIDICS ,MICROCHANNEL flow - Abstract
Today, microfluidics has become a revolutionary interdisciplinary topic with considerable attention in a wide range of biotechnology applications. In this research work, a numerical investigation of a microfluidic micromixer is carried out using a hybrid actuation approach with different micropillar shapes and gaps. For this purpose, COMSOL Multiphysics v.5.2. is used with three different physics, such as thermoviscous acoustic physics to solve acoustic governing equations, laminar physics to solve fluid flow governing equations, and diluted transport species to solve mixing governing equations. The simulations were carried out at different Reynolds numbers such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 with an oscillation frequency of 15 kHz. The results were in the form of acoustic characteristics such as acoustic pressure, acoustic velocity, acoustic stream, mixing index, and fluid flow behaviour at various Reynolds numbers. The results revealed that the inclusion of micropillars improved the mixing performance and strength of the acoustic field, resulting in an improvement of the mixing performance compared to the case without micropillars. In addition, the mixing performance is also investigated at different Reynolds numbers, and a higher mixing index is investigated at lower Reynolds numbers. Moreover, it was also investigated that blade-shaped micropillars with 0.150 mm gaps deliver the best results compared to the other cases, and the maximum and minimum values of the mixing index are 0.97 and 0.72, respectively, at Reynolds number 2. The main reason behind this larger mixing index at low Reynolds numbers is due to the inclusion of micropillars that enhance the diffusion rate and contact area, leading to the homogenisation of the heterogeneous fluids in the microchamber. The obtained results can be extremely helpful for the design and modifications of a hybrid microfluidics micromixer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. A look-up table protocol for calibrating standing SAW acoustofluidics.
- Author
-
Liu, Zixing, Zheng, Haixiang, Wei, Qinran, Wang, Zeyi, Zhang, Yu, Zhang, Dong, and Guo, Xiasheng
- Abstract
The acoustic radiation force (ARF) acting on particles measures the performance of microfluidic devices driven by standing surface acoustic waves (SSAWs). However, existing ARF calibration techniques rely on image post-processing or additional equipment. This work proposes a look-up table method to determine the ARF by examining the particle acoustophoresis mode in discrete phase-modulated SSAW fields, where the phase difference between the two counter-propagating SAWs is changed at fixed time intervals. Theoretical analysis indicates that particles in a straight channel migrate laterally either in the "locked" mode or the "drift" mode, while mode switching can be observed when the interval reaches a critical value highly dependent on the ARF amplitude. A look-up table can then be established for a given SSAW device. By observing the particle acoustophoresis modes at different phase-changing intervals, the ARF amplitude can be obtained from the easily determined critical interval. The procedure is demonstrated experimentally in an SSAW acoustofluidic device and compared with the particle tracking protocol to verify the former's effectiveness and demonstrate its operational simplicity. Inspired by the established theory, a method to improve the efficiency of particle acoustophoresis by optimizing the phase-modulating parameters is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Acoustofluidic Microbioreactor Using Surface Acoustic Wave-induced Acoustic Streaming Flow.
- Author
-
Cha, Beomseok, Lee, Song Ha, Park, Gyeongmin, Ko, Jeongu, Yoon, Min, and Park, Jinsoo
- Abstract
Microbioreactors have been widely utilized as an alternative to conventional benchtop reactors, since the miniaturized platforms offer advantages including reduced sample volume and homogeneous microenvironments. Here, we proposed an acoustofluidic microbioreactor based on surface acoustic wave (SAW)-induced acoustic streaming flow (ASF). The SAW-induced ASF, which originates from the wave attenuation in a fluid, allows rapid mixing and heat transfer for enhanced mass and heat transfer within the sample fluid. We conducted thorough numerical and experimental investigations on the acousto-hydrodynamics and heat transfer phenomena to find an optimal frequency in the prescribed cylindrical microwell. We found that the homogenous chemical concentration and temperature distributions within the fluid were rapidly achieved by the SAW-induced ASF in the proposed device. For proof-of-concept demonstration of practical applicability, we cultured Escherichia coli as a model cell using the proposed acoustofluidic microbioreactor. From comparative evaluation with conventional platforms including a shaker incubator and a microplate shaker, we confirmed that the bacteria growth rate was enhanced in the proposed acoustofluidic microbioreactor due to the high homogeneity in the chemical concentration and temperature by the acoustic agitation, without any moving mechanical components. We expect that the proposed ASF-based microbioreactor can be broadly utilized for various biological applications that require homogeneous mixing and temperature gradient within a reaction medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Particle distributions in Lamb wave based acoustofluidics.
- Author
-
Zhang, Chuanchao, Chen, Xian, Wei, Wei, Chen, Xuejiao, Li, Quanning, and Duan, Xuexin
- Subjects
LAMB waves ,ACOUSTIC radiation force ,ACOUSTIC surface waves ,ACOUSTIC streaming ,PARTICLE motion ,DRAG force ,GRANULAR flow - Abstract
Acoustic streaming enabled by a Lamb wave resonator (LWR) is efficient for particle trapping and enrichment in microfluidic channels. However, because Lamb waves combine the features of bulk acoustic waves and surface acoustic waves, the resulting acoustic streaming in the LWR occurs in multiple planes, and the particle flow behavior in this acoustofluidic system is largely unknown. Reported here are numerical simulations and laboratory experiments conducted to investigate the boundary conditions for particle motion inside a microvortex induced by an LWR. Upon dynamic capture, the particles' trajectories become orbital paths within an acoustic vortex. The suspended particles encounter two distinct acoustic phenomena, i.e., the drag force resulting from acoustic streaming and the acoustic radiation force, which exert forces in various directions on the particles. When the acoustic radiation force and the fluid drag force are dominant for large and small particles in a mixed solution, respectively, the large particles reside within the vortex while the small particles remain at its periphery. Conversely, when the acoustic radiation force is dominant for both types of particles, the distribution pattern is reversed. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS • A Lamb wave resonator (LWR) was fabricated and used for particle manipulation, and upon analyzing the forces acting on the particles, two distinct distribution patterns are found. • Particles in the acoustic streaming are dominated by different forces depending on their size and the frequency of the LWR. • An LWR with a frequency of 370 MHz was used, and this frequency induces a potent acoustic flow in the LWR that is suitable for particle manipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Recent Advances in Acoustofluidics for Point‐of‐Care Testing.
- Author
-
Chen, Xian, Duan, Xuexin, and Gao, Yunhua
- Subjects
- *
POINT-of-care testing , *SOUND waves , *WAVES (Fluid mechanics) , *CHEMICAL processes , *ANALYTICAL chemistry , *FAST ions , *MICROFLUIDICS - Abstract
Abstract: Point‐of‐care testing (POCT) has played important role in clinical diagnostics, environmental assessment, chemical and biological analyses, and food and chemical processing due to its faster turnaround compared to laboratory testing. Dedicated manipulations of solutions or particles are generally required to develop POCT technologies that achieve a "sample‐in‐answer‐out" operation. With the development of micro‐ and nanotechnology, many tools have been developed for sample preparation, on‐site analysis and solution manipulations (mixing, pumping, valving, etc.). Among these approaches, the use of acoustic waves to manipulate fluids and particles (named acoustofluidics) has been applied in many researches. This review focuses on the recent developments in acoustofluidics for POCT. It starts with the fundamentals of different acoustic manipulation techniques and then lists some of representative examples to highlight each method in practical POC applications. Looking toward the future, a compact, portable, highly integrated, low power, and biocompatible technique is anticipated to simultaneously achieve precise manipulation of small targets and multimodal manipulation in POC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. A 3D printed acoustofluidic nozzle-diffuser microfluidic pump.
- Author
-
Yetiskin, Erturan, Gucluer, Sinan, Erdem, Ilayda, and Ozcelik, Adem
- Abstract
Microfluidic flow control systems are critical components for on-chip biomedical applications. This study introduces a new micropump for on-chip sample preparation and analysis by using an acoustic nozzle diffuser mechanism. The micropump implements a commercially available transducer and control board kit with 3D-printed fluid reservoirs. In this micropump, conic-shaped micro-holes on the metal sheet cover of the transducer are employed as oscillating nozzle diffuser micro arrays to achieve directional flow control. The micropump is shown to efficiently pump water and particle mixtures exceeding flow rates of 515 µl/min at a 12-volt input voltage. In addition, owing to the small size of the nozzle hole opening, larger particles can also be filtered out from a sample solution during fluid pumping enabling a new function. Importantly, the micropump can be fabricated and assembled without needing a cleanroom, making it more accessible. This feature is advantageous for researchers and practitioners, eliminating a significant barrier to entry. By combining commercially available components with 3D printing technology, this micropump presents a cost-effective and versatile solution for on-chip applications in biomedical research and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Resonance Modes of Water Drops Pinned to a Vibrating Rectangular Post.
- Author
-
Sartori, Paolo, Ferraro, Davide, Pierno, Matteo, and Mistura, Giampaolo
- Subjects
RESONANCE ,VIBRATIONAL spectra ,STANDING waves - Abstract
We studied the effects of vertical vibrations on a water drop that was pinned to the sharp edges of a rectangular post. By varying the frequency and amplitude of the vertical displacement, distinct resonance peaks were observed using a simple optical technique. The vibrational spectra of the first two modes exhibited two closely spaced peaks, which corresponded to standing waves that exist along the major and minor contour lengths of the drops. The values of the resonance frequencies can be explained rather well by a simple model, which was originally proposed for axially symmetric drops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Janus Particles in Acoustofluidic Setup: The Interplay between Self-Propulsion and Acoustic Trapping
- Author
-
Lisa Marie Benko, Vyacheslav R. Misko, Larysa Baraban, Denys Makarov, Antonio Maisto, and Wim De Malsche
- Subjects
acoustofluidics ,Janus particles ,particle focusing ,acoustic streaming ,separation ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Microscopy ,QH201-278.5 ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Chemistry ,QD1-999 - Abstract
Acoustic focusing of particle flow in microfluidics has been shown to be an efficient tool for particle separation for various chemical and biomedical applications. The mechanism behind the method is the selective effect of the acoustic radiation force on distinct particles. In this way, they can be selectively focused and separated. The technique can also be applied under stationary conditions, i.e., in the absence of fluid flows. In this study, the manipulation of self-propelled particles, such as Janus particles, in an acoustofluidic setup was investigated. In experiments with self-propelled Janus particles and passive beads, we explored the interplay between self-propulsion and the acoustic radiation force. Our results demonstrated unusual and potentially useful effects such as selective trapping, escape, and assisted escape in binary mixtures of active and passive particles. We also analyzed various aspects related to the behavior of Janus particles in acoustic traps in the presence and absence of flows.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics Directed Toward Drinking Water Monitoring
- Author
-
Martim Costa, Liselotte van der Geer, Miguel Joaquim, B. Hammarström, S. Tanriverdi, H. N. Joensson, M. Wiklund, and A. Russom
- Subjects
acoustofluidics ,seed particle method ,silica-enhanced seed particle method ,microplastics ,nanoplastics ,acoustic trap ,Mechanical engineering and machinery ,TJ1-1570 - Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics have become increasingly relevant as contaminants to be monitored due to their potential health effects and environmental impact. Nanoplastics, in particular, have been shown to be difficult to detect in drinking water, requiring new capture technologies. In this work, we applied the acoustofluidic seed particle method to capture nanoplastics in an optimized, tilted grid of silica clusters even at the high flow rate of 5 mL/min. Moreover, we achieved, using this technique, the enrichment of nanoparticles ranging from 500 nm to 25 nm as a first in the field. We employed fluorescence to observe the enrichment profiles according to size, using a washing buffer flow at 0.5 mL/min, highlighting the size-dependent nature of the silica seed particle release of various sizes of nanoparticles. These results highlight the versatility of acoustic trapping for a wide range of nanoplastic particles and allow further study into the complex dynamics of the seed particle method at these size ranges. Moreover, with reproducible size-dependent washing curves, we provide a new window into the rate of nanoplastic escape in high-capacity acoustic traps, relevant to both environmental and biomedical applications.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. A Simple Pump-Free Approach to Generating High-Throughput Microdroplets Using Oscillating Microcone Arrays
- Author
-
Erturan Yetiskin, Ilayda Erdem, Sinan Gucluer, and Adem Ozcelik
- Subjects
droplet microfluidics ,acoustofluidics ,piezo-transducer ,oil droplets ,Mechanical engineering and machinery ,TJ1-1570 - Abstract
Droplet generation is crucial in various scientific and industrial fields, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and inkjet printing. While microfluidic platforms enable precise droplet formation, traditional methods often require costly and complex setups, limiting their accessibility. This study introduces a simple, low-cost approach using an off-the-shelf unit and a 3D-printed reservoir. The device, equipped with a driver board, piezo-ring transducer, and a metal sheet with holes, generates oil-in-water (O/W) droplets with an average diameter of 4.62 ± 0.67 µm without external fluid pumps. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability make it highly suitable for both lab-on-chip and industrial applications, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale uniform droplet production.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Acoustofluidic Actuation of Living Cells.
- Author
-
Wu, Yue, Gai, Junyang, Zhao, Yuwen, Liu, Yi, and Liu, Yaling
- Subjects
TISSUE engineering ,RESEARCH personnel ,MICROSCOPY - Abstract
Acoutofluidics is an increasingly developing and maturing technical discipline. With the advantages of being label-free, non-contact, bio-friendly, high-resolution, and remote-controllable, it is very suitable for the operation of living cells. After decades of fundamental laboratory research, its technical principles have become increasingly clear, and its manufacturing technology has gradually become popularized. Presently, various imaginative applications continue to emerge and are constantly being improved. Here, we introduce the development of acoustofluidic actuation technology from the perspective of related manipulation applications on living cells. Among them, we focus on the main development directions such as acoustofluidic sorting, acoustofluidic tissue engineering, acoustofluidic microscopy, and acoustofluidic biophysical therapy. This review aims to provide a concise summary of the current state of research and bridge past developments with future directions, offering researchers a comprehensive overview and sparking innovation in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Acoustic levitation as a tool for cell‐driven self‐organization of human cell spheroids during long‐term 3D culture.
- Author
-
Rabiet, Lucile, Arakelian, Lousineh, Jeger‐Madiot, Nathan, García, Duván Rojas, Larghero, Jérôme, and Aider, Jean‐Luc
- Abstract
Acoustic levitation, which allows contactless manipulation of micro‐objects with ultrasounds, is a promising technique for spheroids formation and culture. This acoustofluidic technique favors cell–cell interactions, away from the walls of the chip, which leads to the spontaneous self‐organization of cells. Using this approach, we generated spheroids of mesenchymal stromal cells, hepatic and endothelial cells, and showed that long‐term culture of cells in acoustic levitation is feasible. We also demonstrated that this self‐organization and its dynamics depended weakly on the acoustic parameters but were strongly dependent on the levitated cell type. Moreover, spheroid organization was modified by actin cytoskeleton inhibitors or calcium‐mediated interaction inhibitors. Our results confirmed that acoustic levitation is a rising technique for fundamental research and biotechnological industrial application in the rapidly growing field of microphysiological systems. It allowed easily obtaining spheroids of specific and predictable shape and size, which could be cultivated over several days, without requiring hydrogels or extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Analyzing the effects of helical flow in blood vessels using acoustofluidic-based dynamic flow generator.
- Author
-
Kwak, Daesik, Im, Yongtaek, Nam, Hyeono, Nam, Ungsig, Kim, Seunggyu, Kim, Woohyuk, Kim, Hyun Jin, Park, Jinsoo, and Jeon, Jessie S.
- Subjects
BLOOD vessels ,BLOOD flow ,ACOUSTIC streaming ,ACOUSTIC surface waves ,CARDIOVASCULAR system - Abstract
The effects of helical flow in a blood vessel are investigated in a dynamic flow generator using surface acoustic wave (SAW) in the microfluidic device. The SAW, generated by an interdigital transducer (IDT), induces acoustic streaming, resulting in a stable and consistent helical flow pattern in microscale channels. This approach allows rapid development of helical flow within the channel without directly contacting the medium. The precise design of the window enables the creation of distinct unidirectional vortices, which can be controlled by adjusting the amplitude of the SAW. Within this device, optimal operational parameters of the dynamic flow generator to preserve the integrity of endothelial cells are found, and in such settings, the actin filaments within the cells are aligned to the desired state. Our findings reveal that intracellular Ca
2+ concentrations vary in response to flow conditions. Specifically, comparable maximum intensity and graphical patterns were observed between low-flow rate helical flow and high-flow rate Hagen-Poiseuille flow. These suggest that the cells respond to the helical flow through mechanosensitive ion channels. Finally, adherence of monocytes is effectively reduced under helical flow conditions in an inflammatory environment, highlighting the atheroprotective role of helical flow. Helical flow in blood vessels is well known to prevent atherosclerosis. However, despite efforts to replicate helical flow in microscale channels, there is still a lack of in vitro models which can generate helical flow for analyzing its effects on the vascular system. In this study, we developed a method for generating steady and constant helical flow in microfluidic channel using acoustofluidic techniques. By utilizing this dynamic flow generator, we were able to observe the atheroprotective aspects of helical flow in vitro, including the enhancement of calcium ion flux and reduction of monocyte adhesion. This study paves the way for an in vitro model of dynamic cell culture and offers advanced investigation into helical flow in our circulatory system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Janus Particles in Acoustofluidic Setup: The Interplay between Self-Propulsion and Acoustic Trapping.
- Author
-
Benko, Lisa Marie, Misko, Vyacheslav R., Baraban, Larysa, Makarov, Denys, Maisto, Antonio, and Malsche, Wim De
- Subjects
JANUS particles ,MICROFLUIDICS ,BINARY mixtures ,ACOUSTIC radiation force ,PROPULSION systems - Abstract
Acoustic focusing of particle flow in microfluidics has been shown to be an efficient tool for particle separation for various chemical and biomedical applications. The mechanism behind the method is the selective effect of the acoustic radiation force on distinct particles. In this way, they can be selectively focused and separated. The technique can also be applied under stationary conditions, i.e., in the absence of fluid flows. In this study, the manipulation of self-propelled particles, such as Janus particles, in an acoustofluidic setup was investigated. In experiments with self-propelled Janus particles and passive beads, we explored the interplay between self-propulsion and the acoustic radiation force. Our results demonstrated unusual and potentially useful effects such as selective trapping, escape, and assisted escape in binary mixtures of active and passive particles. We also analyzed various aspects related to the behavior of Janus particles in acoustic traps in the presence and absence of flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Enhanced Performance of an Acoustofluidic Device by Integrating Temperature Control.
- Author
-
Hashemiesfahan, Mehrnaz, Gelin, Pierre, Maisto, Antonio, Gardeniers, Han, and De Malsche, Wim
- Subjects
TEMPERATURE control ,ACOUSTIC streaming ,FEEDBACK control systems ,CURIE temperature ,SOUND waves - Abstract
Acoustofluidics is an emerging research field wherein either mixing or (bio)-particle separation is conducted. High-power acoustic streaming can produce more intense and rapid flow patterns, leading to faster and more efficient liquid mixing. However, without cooling, the temperature of the piezoelectric element that is used to supply acoustic power to the fluid could rise above 50% of the Curie point of the piezomaterial, thereby accelerating its aging degradation. In addition, the supply of excessive heat to a liquid may lead to irreproducible streaming effects and gas bubble formation. To control these phenomena, in this paper, we present a feedback temperature control system integrated into an acoustofluidic setup using bulk acoustic waves (BAWs) to elevate mass transfer and manipulation of particles. The system performance was tested by measuring mixing efficiency and determining the average velocity magnitude of acoustic streaming. The results show that the integrated temperature control system keeps the temperature at the set point even at high acoustic powers and improves the reproducibility of the acoustofluidic setup performance when the applied voltage is as high as 200 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Swimmer with submerged SiO2/Al/LiNbO3 surface acoustic wave propulsion system
- Author
-
Deqing Kong, Ryo Tanimura, Fang Wang, Kailiang Zhang, Minoru Kuribayashi Kurosawa, and Manabu Aoyagi
- Subjects
Acoustofluidics ,Surface acoustic wave ,Swimmer ,Underwater propulsion system ,Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering ,TK1-9971 ,Electronic computers. Computer science ,QA75.5-76.95 - Abstract
Acoustic propulsion system presents a novel underwater propulsion approach in small scale swimmer. This study introduces a submerged surface acoustic wave (SAW) propulsion system based on the SiO2/Al/LiNbO 3 structure. At 19.25 MHz, the SAW propulsion system is proposed and investigated by the propulsion force calculation, PIV measurements and propulsion measurements. 3.3 mN propulsion force is measured at 27.6 Vpp. To evaluate the miniature swimmer, the SAW propulsion systems with multiple frequencies are studied. At 2.2 W, the submerged SAW propulsion system at 38.45 MHz demonstrates 0.83 mN/mm2propulsion characteristics. At 96.13 MHz and 24 Vpp, the movements of miniature swimmer with a fully submerged SAW propulsion system are recorded and analyzed to a maximum of 177 mm/s. Because of miniaturization, high power density, and simple structure, the SAW propulsion system can be expected for some microrobot applications, such as underwater drone, pipeline robot and intravascular robot.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Well-free agglomeration and on-demand three-dimensional cell cluster formation using guided surface acoustic waves through a couplant layer
- Author
-
Mei, Jiyang, Vasan, Aditya, Magaram, Uri, Takemura, Kenjiro, Chalasani, Sreekanth H, and Friend, James
- Subjects
Engineering ,Nanotechnology ,Biomedical Engineering ,1.1 Normal biological development and functioning ,Underpinning research ,Generic health relevance ,Acoustics ,Animals ,Cell Communication ,Culture Media ,HEK293 Cells ,Humans ,Sheep ,Sound ,Surface acoustic wave ,Acoustofluidics ,Cell agglomerate ,Materials Engineering ,Analytical Chemistry ,Biomedical engineering - Abstract
Three-dimensional cell agglomerates are broadly useful in tissue engineering and drug testing. We report a well-free method to form large (1.4-mm) multicellular clusters using 100-MHz surface acoustic waves (SAW) without direct contact with the media or cells. A fluid couplant is used to transform the SAW into acoustic streaming in the cell-laden media held in a petri dish. The couplant transmits longitudinal sound waves, forming a Lamb wave in the petri dish that, in turn, produces longitudinal sound in the media. Due to recirculation, human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells in the dish are carried to the center of the coupling location, forming a cluster in less than 10 min. A few minutes later, these clusters may then be translated and merged to form large agglomerations, and even repeatedly folded to produce a roughly spherical shape of over 1.4 mm in diameter for incubation-without damaging the existing intercellular bonds. Calcium ion signaling through these clusters and confocal images of multiprotein junctional complexes suggest a continuous tissue construct: intercellular communication. They may be formed at will, and the method is feasibly useful for formation of numerous agglomerates in a single petri dish.
- Published
- 2022
44. Microscale Concert Hall Acoustics to Produce Uniform Ultrasound Stimulation for Targeted Sonogenetics in hsTRPA1‐Transfected Cells
- Author
-
Vasan, Aditya, Allein, Florian, Duque, Marc, Magaram, Uri, Boechler, Nicholas, Chalasani, Sreekanth H, and Friend, James
- Subjects
Engineering ,Biomedical Engineering ,Biomedical Imaging ,acoustofluidics ,architectural acoustics ,neuromodulation ,sonogenetics ,ultrasound - Abstract
The field of ultrasound neuromodulation has rapidly developed over the past decade, a consequence of the discovery of strain-sensitive structures in the membrane and organelles of cells extending into the brain, heart, and other organs. Notably, clinical trials are underway for treating epilepsy using focused ultrasound to elicit an organized local electrical response. A key limitation to this approach is the formation of standing waves within the skull. In standing acoustic waves, the maximum ultrasound intensity spatially varies from near zero to double the mean in one half a wavelength, and has lead to localized tissue damage and disruption of normal brain function while attempting to evoke a broader response. This phenomenon also produces a large spatial variation in the actual ultrasound exposure in tissue, leading to heterogeneous results and challenges with interpreting these effects. One approach to overcome this limitation is presented herein: transducer-mounted diffusers that result in spatiotemporally incoherent ultrasound. Herein, we numerically and experimentally quantified the effect of a diffuser in an enclosed domain, and show that adding the diffuser leads to a two-fold increase in ultrasound responsiveness of hsTRPA1 transfected HEK cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate the diffuser allow us to produce an uniform spatial distribution of pressure in the rodent skull. Collectively, we propose that our approach leads to a means to deliver uniform ultrasound into irregular cavities for sonogenetics.
- Published
- 2022
45. Ultrasound Mediated Cellular Deflection Results in Cellular Depolarization
- Author
-
Vasan, Aditya, Orosco, Jeremy, Magaram, Uri, Duque, Marc, Weiss, Connor, Tufail, Yusuf, Chalasani, Sreekanth H, and Friend, James
- Subjects
Engineering ,Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Neurosciences ,Bioengineering ,Biomedical Imaging ,1.1 Normal biological development and functioning ,Underpinning research ,Generic health relevance ,Animals ,Cell Membrane ,Cells ,Cultured ,Humans ,Microscopy ,Models ,Animal ,Models ,Neurological ,Neurons ,Patch-Clamp Techniques ,Rats ,Ultrasonic Waves ,acoustofluidics ,digital holographic microscopy ,neuromodulation ,ultrasound - Abstract
Ultrasound has been used to manipulate cells in both humans and animal models. While intramembrane cavitation and lipid clustering have been suggested as likely mechanisms, they lack experimental evidence. Here, high-speed digital holographic microscopy (kiloHertz order) is used to visualize the cellular membrane dynamics. It is shown that neuronal and fibroblast membranes deflect about 150 nm upon ultrasound stimulation. Next, a biomechanical model that predicts changes in membrane voltage after ultrasound exposure is developed. Finally, the model predictions are validated using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology on primary neurons. Collectively, it is shown that ultrasound stimulation directly defects the neuronal membrane leading to a change in membrane voltage and subsequent depolarization. The model is consistent with existing data and provides a mechanism for both ultrasound-evoked neurostimulation and sonogenetic control.
- Published
- 2022
46. Nanoscale Liposome Synthesis for Drug Delivery Applications via Ultrafast Acoustofluidic Micromixing
- Author
-
Ali Pourabdollah Vardin and Gurkan Yesıloz
- Subjects
acoustofluidics ,liposome synthesis ,acoustic micromixers ,microfluidics ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 - Abstract
Nowadays, lipid nanoparticles have gained profound interest in chemical and biomedical engineering. The rapid development of therapeutic nanosystems has led to a need to design suitable approaches to synthesize bio-carriers for efficient drug delivery. Microfluidic methods provide an excellent opportunity to acquire desirable nanoparticle properties, including stability, size, shape, and size distribution, which are often challenging to obtain using conventional bulk synthesis methods. Rapid mixing is a crucial factor in the nanoprecipitation process as it influences the size and size distribution of the nanoparticles. Within this regard, in this work, we report an ultrafast acoustofluidic micromixer to synthesize liposome nanoparticles, which have been widely investigated in the literature as drug carriers due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This research has also investigated the influence of glycerol addition to the solvent to control the size of the liposomes. Our findings indicate that utilizing the acoustofluidic platform resulted in the production of nanoscale liposomes with small mean sizes compared to the hydrodynamic flow-focusing (HFF) method. Furthermore, the inclusion of glycerol led to a significant reduction in liposome size. These results emphasize the potential of the proposed approach for the efficient and precise synthesis of liposome nanoparticles with improved characteristics, which can be utilized in various biomedical and drug delivery applications.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Investigation on submicron particle separation and deflection using tilted-angle standing surface acoustic wave microfluidics
- Author
-
Tao Peng, Xiaodong Lin, Luming Li, Lei Huang, Bingyan Jiang, and Yanwei Jia
- Subjects
Submicron particles ,Acoustic radiation ,Microfluidic separation ,Acoustofluidics ,Science (General) ,Q1-390 ,Social sciences (General) ,H1-99 - Abstract
With the development of in vitro diagnostics, extracting submicron scale particles from mixed body fluids samples is crucial. In recent years, microfluidic separation has attracted much attention due to its high efficiency, label-free, and inexpensive nature. Among the microfluidic-based separation, the separation based on ultrasonic standing waves has gradually become a powerful tool. A microfluid environment containing a tilted-angle ultrasonic standing surface acoustic wave (taSSAW) field has been widely adapted and designed to separate submicron particles for biochemical applications. This paper investigated submicron particle defection in microfluidics using taSSAWs analytically. Particles with 0.1–1 μm diameters were analyzed under acoustic pressure, flow rate, tilted angle, and SSAW frequency. According to different acoustic radiation forces acting on the particles, the motion of large-diameter particles was more likely to deflect to the direction of the nodal lines. Decreasing the input flow rate or increasing acoustic pressure and acoustic wave frequency can improve particle deflection. The tilted angle can be optimized by analyzing the simulation results. Based on the simulation analysis, we experimentally showed the separation of polystyrene microspheres (100 nm) from the mixed particles and exosomes (30–150 nm) from human plasma. This research results can provide a certain reference for the practical design of bioparticle separation utilizing acoustofluidic devices.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. On the behavior of prolate spheroids in a standing surface acoustic wave field.
- Author
-
Sachs, Sebastian, Schmidt, Hagen, Cierpka, Christian, and König, Jörg
- Abstract
The active manipulation of particle and cell trajectories in fluids by high-frequency standing surface acoustic waves (sSAW) allows to separate particles and cells systematically depending on their size and acoustic contrast. However, process technologies and biomedical applications usually operate with non-spherical particles, for which the prediction of acoustic forces is highly challenging and remains a subject of ongoing research. In this study, the dynamical behavior of prolate spheroids exposed to a three-dimensional acoustic field with multiple pressure nodes along the channel width is examined. Optical measurements reveal an alignment of the particles orthogonal to the pressure nodes of the sSAW, which has not been reported in literature so far. The dynamical behavior of the particles is analyzed under controlled initial conditions for various motion patterns by imposing a phase shift on the sSAW. To gain detailed understanding of the particle dynamics, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to predict the acoustic force and torque acting on a prolate spheroid. Considering the acoustically induced streaming around the particle, the numerical results are in excellent agreement with experimental findings. Using the proposed numerical model, a dependence of the acoustic force on the particle shape is found in relation to the acoustic impedance of the channel ceiling. Hence, the numerical model presented herein promises high progress for the design of separation devices utilizing sSAW, exploiting an additional separation criterion based on the particle shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. A review of acoustofluidic separation of bioparticles.
- Author
-
Hossein, Fria and Angeli, Panagiota
- Abstract
Acoustofluidics is an emerging interdisciplinary research field that involves the integration of acoustics and microfluidics to address challenges in various scientific areas. This technology has proven to be a powerful tool for separating biological targets from complex fluids due to its label-free, biocompatible, and contact-free nature. Considering a careful designing process and tuning the acoustic field particles can be separated with high yield. Recently the advancement of acoustofluidics led to the development of point-of-care devices for separations of micro particles which address many of the limitations of conventional separation tools. This review article discusses the working principles and different approaches of acoustofluidic separation and provides a synopsis of its traditional and emerging applications, including the theory and mechanism of acoustofluidic separation, blood component separation, cell washing, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, circulating tumor cell isolation, and exosome isolation. The technology offers great potential for solving clinical problems and advancing scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Synthesis of tunable gold nanostars via 3D-printed microfluidic device with vibrating sharp-tip acoustic mixing.
- Author
-
Curtin, Kathrine, Godary, Toktam, and Li, Peng
- Abstract
Gold nanostars are valuable materials for nanomedicine, energy conversation, and catalysis. Microfluidic synthesis offers a simple and controlled means to produce nanoparticles as they offer precise fluid control and improve heat and mass transfer. 3D-printed microfluidics are a good alternative to PDMS devices because they are affordable to produce and can be more easily integrated with active mixing strategies. 3D-printed microfluidics has only been applied to the production of silver and gold nanospheres, but not complex structures like gold nanostars. Synthesis of gold nanostars requires highly effective mixing to ensure uniform nucleation and growth. In this work, we present a 3D-printed microfluidic device that utilizes an efficient vibrating sharp-tip acoustic mixing system to produce high-quality and reproducible gold nanostars via a seedless and surfactant-free method. The vibrating sharp-tip mixing device can mix three streams of fluid across ~ 300 μm within 7 ms. The device operates with flow rates ranging from 10 μL/min to 750 μL/min at low power requirements (2–45 mW). The optical properties of the resulting nanotars are easily tuned from 650 to 800 nm by modulating the input flow rate. Thus, the presented 3D-printed microfluidic device produces high-quality gold nanostars with tunable optical and physical properties suitable for extensive applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.