Recirculation of nanoliter volumes within microfluidic channels

Observation and experimental investigation of confinement effects on ion transport and electrokinetic flows at the microscale

Electrokinetic effects adjacent to charge-selective interfaces (CSI) have been experimentally investigated in microfluidic platforms in order to gain understanding on underlying phenomena of ion transport at elevated applied voltages. We experimentally investigate the influence of geometry and multiple array densities of the CSI on concentration and flow profiles in a microfluidic set-up using nanochannels as the CSI. Particle tracking obtained under chronoamperometric measurements show the development of vortices in the microchannel adjacent to the nanochannels. We found that the direction of the electric field and the potential drop inside the microchannel has a large influence on the ion transport through the interface, for example by inducing immediate wall electroosmotic flow. In microfluidic devices, the electric field may not be directed normal to the interface, which can result in an inefficient use of the CSI. Multiple vortices are observed adjacent to the CSI, growing in size and velocity as a function of time and dependent on their location in the microfluidic device. Local velocities inside the vortices are measured to be more than 1.5 mm/s. Vortex speed, as well as flow speed in the channel, are dependent on the geometry of the CSI and the distance from the electrode.

DC-biased AC-electrokinetics: a conductivity gradient driven fluid flow

This paper studies the principles of fluid flow manipulation based on DC-biased AC-electrokinetics. This method makes use of planar parallel electrodes in a microfluidic channel in contact with an electrolyte solution, with a DC biased AC electrical signal applied to the electrode pair. Due to the application of DC bias, incipient Faradaic electrolytic reactions take place resulting in an increase of the ionic content of the bulk solution. The ionic content was found to be dissimilar at the cathodic and anodic sides of the channel and a conductivity difference of approximately 10% was measured for 2 V(DC). Fluid flow is generated by the action of the DC biased AC electric signal acting on the transverse conductivity gradient generated across the microchannel. The induced flow in the form of vortex was characterized experimentally and the results substantiated theoretically. The velocity of the induced flow vortex under the employed experimental conditions was ~600 to 700 μm s(-1) which is faster than those obtained in conventional AC-electroosmosis and AC-electrothermal types of flows.

Experimental verification of Faradaic charging in ac electrokinetics

This paper investigates the phenomenon of Faradaic charging in ac electrokinetics. Faradaic reactions were suggested as a key effect responsible for the reversal of pumping direction in ac micropumps. However, this hypothesis has yet to be proven convincingly and directly. Here we present an ion detection strategy to determine the production of ions through Faradaic hydrolytic reactions originating from direct application of voltage to electrolytic solutions during ac electrokinetics. Experiments were performed with symmetrical planar electrodes aligned along a microfluidic channel. Fluorescein, a pH-dependent dye, was employed as the pH indicator for the detection of ion production. Images were captured for analysis at various voltage levels. From analyzing the fluorescence intensity and its distribution, it can be concluded that the production of ions from hydrolytic reactions takes place and increases with the ac voltage. The coefficient of deviation indicates a significant enhancement at ac voltage above 11 V(pp). Lastly, we demonstrate a strategy using dc-biased ac electrokinetics to achieve controllability in direction and magnitude of the net fluid flow in pumping application.

Surface modification with well-defined biocompatible triblock copolymers

To improve interfacial phenomena of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as biomaterials, well-defined triblock copolymers were prepared as coating materials by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) controlled polymerization. Hydroxy-terminated poly(vinylmethylsiloxane-co-dimethylsiloxane) (HO-PV(l)D(m)MS-OH) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The copolymerization ratio of vinylmethylsiloxane to dimethylsiloxane was 1/9. The molecular weight of HO-PV(l)D(m)MS-OH ranged from (1.43 to 4.44)x10(4), and their molecular weight distribution (M(w)/M(n)) as determined by size-exclusion chromatography equipped with multiangle laser light scattering (SEC-MALS) was 1.16. 4-Cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate was reacted with HO-PV(l)D(m)MS-OH to obtain macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTA). 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was polymerized with macro-CTAs. The gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) chart of synthesized polymers was a single peak and M(w)/M(n) was relatively narrow (1.3-1.6). Then the poly(MPC) (PMPC)-PV(l)D(m)MS-PMPC triblock copolymers were synthesized. The molecular weight of PMPC in a triblock copolymer was easily controllable by changing the polymerization time or the composition of the macro-CTA to a monomer in the feed. The synthesized block copolymers were slightly soluble in water and extremely soluble in ethanol and 2-propanol. Surface modification was performed via hydrosilylation. The block copolymer was coated on the PDMS film whose surface was pretreated with poly(hydromethylsiloxane). The surface wettability and lubrication of the PDMS film were effectively improved by immobilization with the block copolymers. In addition, the number of adherent platelets from human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was dramatically reduced by surface modification. Particularly, the triblock copolymer having a high composition ratio of MPC units to silicone units was effective in improving the surface properties of PDMS. By selective decomposition of the Si-H bond at the surface of the PDMS substrate by irradiation with UV light, the coating region of the triblock copolymer was easily controlled, resulting in the fabrication of micropatterns. On the surface, albumin adsorption was well manipulated.

Capillary inserts in microcirculatory systems

Microfluidic loops (i.e. closed fluid paths) pose specific practical challenges such as priming, introducing analytes or reagents in a controlled way and sampling products. In this technical note we address these three issues using a removable part of the microchannel that we call a 'capillary insert'.

Recirculating, passive micromixer with a novel sawtooth structure

A microfluidic device capable of recirculating nano to microlitre volumes in order to efficiently mix solutions is described. The device consists of molded polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) channels with pressure inlet and outlet holes sealed by a glass lid. Recirculation is accomplished by a repeatedly reciprocated flow over an iterated sawtooth structure. The sawtooth structure serves to change the fluid velocity of individual streamlines differently depending on whether the fluid is flowing backwards or forward over the structure. Thus, individual streamlines can be accelerated or decelerated relative to the other streamlines to allow sections of the fluid to interact that would normally be linearly separated. Low Reynolds numbers imply that the process is reversible, neglecting diffusion. Computer simulations were carried out using FLUENT. Subsequently, fluorescent indicators were employed to experimentally verify these numerical simulations of the recirculation principal. Finally, mixing of a carboxyfluorescein labeled DMSO plug with an unlabeled DMSO plug across an immiscible hydrocarbon plug was investigated. At cycling rates of 1 Hz across five sawtooth units, the time was recorded to reach steady state in the channels, i.e. until both DMSO plugs had the same fluorescence intensity. In the case of the sawtooth structures, steady state was reached five times faster than in channels without sawtooth structures, which verified what would be expected based on numerical simulations. The microfluidic mixer is unique due to its versatility with respect to scaling, its potential to also mix solutions containing small particles such as beads and cells, and its ease of fabrication and use.

Technologies for nanofluidic systems: top-down vs. bottom-up--a review

This paper gives an overview of the most commonly used techniques for nanostructuring and nanochannel fabrication employed in nanofluidics. They are divided into two large categories: top-down and bottom-up methods. Top-down methods are based on patterning on large scale while reducing the lateral dimensions to the nanoscale. Bottom-up methods arrange atoms and molecules in nanostructures. Here, we review the advantages and disadvantages of those methods and give some future perspectives. It is concluded that technology in the region of 1-10 nm is lacking and potentially can be covered by using the pulsed-laser deposition method as a controlled way for thin film deposition (thickness of a few nanometers) and further structuring by the top-down method.