A Low-Cost 3-in-1 3D Printer as a Tool for the Fabrication of Flow-Through Channels of Microfluidic Systems

Recent Advances in Microfluidic Platform for Physical and Immunological Detection and Capture of Circulating Tumor Cells

CTCs (circulating tumor cells) are well-known for their use in clinical trials for tumor diagnosis. Capturing and isolating these CTCs from whole blood samples has enormous benefits in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In general, various approaches are being used to separate malignant cells, including immunomagnets, macroscale filters, centrifuges, dielectrophoresis, and immunological approaches. These procedures, on the other hand, are time-consuming and necessitate multiple high-level operational protocols. In addition, considering their low efficiency and throughput, the processes of capturing and isolating CTCs face tremendous challenges. Meanwhile, recent advances in microfluidic devices promise unprecedented advantages for capturing and isolating CTCs with greater efficiency, sensitivity, selectivity and accuracy. In this regard, this review article focuses primarily on the various fabrication methodologies involved in microfluidic devices and techniques specifically used to capture and isolate CTCs using various physical and biological methods as well as their conceptual ideas, advantages and disadvantages.

Main Problems Using DEM Modeling to Evaluate the Loose Soil Collection by Conceptual Machine as a Background for Future Extraterrestrial Regolith Harvesting DEM Models

Nowadays, rapid product development is a key factor influencing a company's success. In the Space 4.0. era, an integrated approach with the use of 3D printing and DEM modeling can be particularly effective in the development of technologies related to space mining. Unfortunately, both 3D printing and DEM modeling are not without flaws. This article shows the possibilities and problems resulting from the use of DEM simulation and 3D printing simultaneously in the rapid development of a hypothetical mining machine. For the subsequent development of the regolith harvesting model, loose soil harvesting simulations were performed and the underlying problems were defined and discussed. The results show that it is possible to use both technologies simultaneously to be able to effectively and accurately model the behavior of this type of machine in various gravitational conditions in the future.

A Review of the Methods of Modeling Multi-Phase Flows within Different Microchannels Shapes and Their Applications

In industrial processes, the microtechnology concept refers to the operation of small devices that integrate the elements of operational and reaction units to save energy and space. The advancement of knowledge in the field of microfluidics has resulted in fabricating devices with different applications in micro and nanoscales. Micro- and nano-devices can provide energy-efficient systems due to their high thermal performance. Fluid flow in microchannels and microstructures has been widely considered by researchers in the last two decades. In this paper, a review study on fluid flow within microstructures is performed. The present study aims to present the results obtained in previous studies on this type of system. First, different types of flows in microchannels are examined. The present article will then review previous articles and present a general summary in each section. Then, the multi-phase flows inside the microchannels are discussed, and the flows inside the micropumps, microturbines, and micromixers are evaluated. According to the literature review, it is found that the use of microstructures enhances energy efficiency. The results of previous investigations revealed that the use of nanofluids as a working fluid in microstructures improves energy efficiency. Previous studies have demonstrated special attention to the design aspects of microchannels and micro-devices compared to other design strategies to improve their performance. Finally, general concluding remarks are presented, and the existing challenges in the use of these devices and suggestions for future investigations are presented.