1
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Liu H, Peng C, Guo S, Liu X, Li X. Rod-Shaped Liquid Plasticine as Cuttable Minireactor for Photodynamic Therapy of Tumors. Small 2024:e2309535. [PMID: 38193268 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach for cancer treatment. Enhancing its efficacy and understanding its absorption-induced attenuation are significant while the solutions are limited, particularly for the latter. In this study, a rod-shaped liquid plasticine (LP), comprised of a tumor cell solution encased by a nanoparticle monolayer, is used to serve as a powerful minireactor for addressing these issues. The channel structure, openness, and cuttability of the LP reactor are exploited for providing benefits to PDT. The resulting PDT efficacy is several times higher than those from droplet reactors with common spherical shapes. The attenuation law, which is fundamental in PDT yet poorly understood due to the lack of experimental approaches, is preliminarily uncovered here from the perspective of in vitro experiments by using the LP's cuttability, affording quantitative understanding on this difficult subject. These findings provide insights into the widely-concerned topics in PDT, and highlight the great potential of an LP reactor in offering innovation power for the biochemical and biomedical arenas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- Shaanxi Basic Discipline (Liquid Physics) Research Center, School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
| | - Chenxi Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
| | - Shuaichen Guo
- Shaanxi Basic Discipline (Liquid Physics) Research Center, School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
| | - Xiaowang Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Shaanxi Basic Discipline (Liquid Physics) Research Center, School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, China
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2
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Tran DT, Yadav AS, Nguyen NK, Singha P, Ooi CH, Nguyen NT. Biodegradable Polymers for Micro Elastofluidics. Small 2023:e2303435. [PMID: 37292037 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Micro elastofluidics is an emerging research field that encompasses characteristics of conventional microfluidics and fluid-structure interactions. Micro elastofluidics is expected to enable practical applications, for instance, where direct contact between biological samples and fluid handling systems is required. Besides design optimization, choosing a proper material is critical to the practical use of micro elastofluidics upon interaction with biological interface and after its functional lifetime. Biodegradable polymers are one of the most studied materials for this purpose. Micro elastofluidic devices made of biodegradable polymers possess exceptional mechanical elasticity, excellent bio compatibility, and structural degradability into non-toxic products. This article provides an insightful and systematic review of the utilization of biodegradable polymers in digital and continuous-flow micro elastofluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du Tuan Tran
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Ajeet Singh Yadav
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Nhat-Khuong Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Pradip Singha
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Chin Hong Ooi
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
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3
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Azizian P, Mohammadrashidi M, Abbas Azimi A, Bijarchi MA, Shafii MB, Nasiri R. Magnetically Driven Manipulation of Nonmagnetic Liquid Marbles: Billiards with Liquid Marbles. Micromachines (Basel) 2022; 14:49. [PMID: 36677108 PMCID: PMC9865651 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid marbles are droplets encapsulated by a layer of hydrophobic nanoparticles and have been extensively employed in digital microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems in recent years. In this study, magnetic liquid marbles were used to manipulate nonmagnetic liquid marbles. To achieve this purpose, a ferrofluid liquid marble (FLM) was employed and attracted toward an electromagnet, resulting in an impulse to a water liquid marble (WLM) on its way to the electromagnet. It was observed that the manipulation of the WLM by the FLM was similar to the collision of billiard balls except that the liquid marbles exhibited an inelastic collision. Taking the FLM as the projectile ball and the WLM as the other target balls, one can adjust the displacement and direction of the WLM precisely, similar to an expert billiard player. Firstly, the WLM displacement can be adjusted by altering the liquid marble volumes, the initial distances from the electromagnet, and the coil current. Secondly, the WLM direction can be adjusted by changing the position of the WLM relative to the connecting line between the FLM center and the electromagnet. Results show that when the FLM or WLM volume increases by five times, the WLM shooting distance approximately increases by 200% and decreases by 75%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parnian Azizian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9567, Iran
| | - Mahbod Mohammadrashidi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9567, Iran
| | - Ali Abbas Azimi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9567, Iran
| | - Mohamad Ali Bijarchi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9567, Iran
| | - Mohammad Behshad Shafii
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9567, Iran
| | - Rohollah Nasiri
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Nanobiotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
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4
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Takei T, Tomimatsu R, Matsumoto T, Sreejith KR, Nguyen NT, Yoshida M. Hydrophobically Modified Gelatin Particles for Production of Liquid Marbles. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14224849. [PMID: 36432975 PMCID: PMC9695580 DOI: 10.3390/polym14224849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique properties and morphology of liquid marbles (LMs) make them potentially useful for various applications. Non-edible hydrophobic organic polymer particles are widely used to prepare LMs. It is necessary to increase the variety of LM particles to extend their use into food and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we focus on hydrophobically modified gelatin (HMG) as a base material for the particles. The surface tension of HMG decreased as the length of alkyl chains incorporated into the gelatin and the degree of substitution (DS) of the alkyl chains increased. HMG with a surface tension of less than 37.5 mN/m (determined using equations based on the Young-Dupré equation and Kaelble-Uy theory) successfully formed LMs of water. The minimum surface tension of a liquid in which it was possible to form LMs using HMG particles was approximately 53 mN/m. We also showed that the liquid-over-solid spreading coefficient SL/S is a potential new factor for predicting if particles can form LMs. The HMG particles and the new system for predicting LM formation could expand the use of LMs in food and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Takei
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Rio Tomimatsu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Takanori Matsumoto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kamalalayam Rajan Sreejith
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Masahiro Yoshida
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
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5
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Ng LS, Chong C, Lok XY, Pereira V, Ang ZZ, Han X, Li H, Lee HK. Dynamic Liquid-Liquid Interface: Applying a Spinning Interfacial Microreactor to Actively Converge Biphasic Reactants for the Enhanced Interfacial Reaction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:45005-45012. [PMID: 36162132 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A liquid-liquid interfacial reaction combines reactants with large polarity disparity to achieve greener and more efficient chemistry that is otherwise challenging in traditional single-phase systems. However, current interfacial approaches suffer from the need for a large amount of solvent/reactant/emulsifier and poor reaction performance arising from intrinsic thermodynamic constraints. Herein, we achieve an efficient interfacial reaction by creating a magnetic-responsive, microscale liquid-liquid interface and exploit its dynamic spinning motion to generate vortex-like hydrodynamic flows that rapidly converge biphasic reactants to the point-of-reaction. Notably, the spinning of this functional interface at 800 rpm boosts the reaction efficiency and its apparent equilibrium constant by > 500-fold and 105-fold, respectively, higher than conventional methods that utilize bulk and/or non-dynamic liquid interfaces, even with external mechanical stirring. By driving reaction equilibrium toward favorable product formation, our unique design offers enormous opportunities to realize efficient multiphasic reactions crucial for diverse applications in chemical synthesis, environmental remediation, and even molecular recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shiuan Ng
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Carice Chong
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Xin Yi Lok
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Veronica Pereira
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Zhi Zhong Ang
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Xuemei Han
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Haitao Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, PR China
| | - Hiang Kwee Lee
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-03, Innovis, Singapore 138634, Singapore
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6
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Langella A, Gadau SD, Serra E, Bebbere D, Ledda S. Microtubular Assessment of C6 Rat Glioma Cell Spheroids Developed in Transparent Liquid Marbles or Hanging Drops. Biology (Basel) 2022; 11:biology11040492. [PMID: 35453692 PMCID: PMC9031767 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a brain tumour frequently used as an experimental model to exploit innovative therapeutic approaches due to its high lethality and refractoriness to therapies. Part of these innovative anticancer therapies address cytoskeletal microtubules (MTs) since specific tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs) are considered markers of tumour plasticity. In vitro studies, which traditionally employ two-dimensional (2D) culture systems, are now being replaced by three-dimensional (3D) systems that more closely mimic in vivo physiological conditions and allow a better understanding of the signalling between cells. In this work, we compared 2 liquid base 3D methods for the generation of spheroids from C6 rat glioma cells (RGCs) using 30 µL of liquid marble (LM) or the hanging drops (HDs), which contained 2 different cell numbers (5000 or 15,000). After 24 or 48 h of in vitro culture (IVC), the morphology of the spheroids was observed and the behaviour of the two main tubulin PTMs, tyrosinated α-tubulin (Tyr-T) and acetylated α-tubulin (Ac-T), was evaluated by fluorescence and Western blot (WB). RGCs spontaneously formed spherical agglomerates more rapidly in the LM than in the HD system. Cell density influenced the size of the spheroids, which reached a larger size (> of 300 µm Ø), with 15,000 cells compared to 5000 cells (150 µm Ø). Moreover, an increase in Tyr-T and Ac-T was observed in both the HD and LM system from 24 to 48 h, with the highest values shown in the 48 h/LM spheroids of 5000 cells (p < 0.05). In conclusion, by comparing the morphology and microtubular architecture of spheroids from C6 rat glioma cells developed by LM or HD methodology, our findings demonstrate that the use of a fumed silica microbioreactor boosts the induction and maintenance of a high plasticity state in glioma cells. RGCs cultured in LM express levels of tubulin PTMs that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of new anticancer therapies.
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7
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Braniste T, Ciobanu V, Schütt F, Mimura H, Raevschi S, Adelung R, Pugno NM, Tiginyanu I. Self-Propelled Aero-GaN Based Liquid Marbles Exhibiting Pulsed Rotation on the Water Surface. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:5086. [PMID: 34501176 DOI: 10.3390/ma14175086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We report on self-propelled rotating liquid marbles fabricated using droplets of alcoholic solution encapsulated in hollow microtetrapods of GaN with hydrophilic free ends of their arms and hydrophobic lateral walls. Apart from stationary rotation, elongated-spheroid-like liquid marbles were found, for the first time, to exhibit pulsed rotation on water surfaces characterized by a threshold speed of rotation, which increased with the weight of the liquid marble while the frequency of pulses proved to decrease. To throw light upon the unusual behavior of the developed self-propelled liquid marbles, we propose a model which takes into account skimming of the liquid marbles over the water surface similar to that inherent to flying water lily beetle and the so-called helicopter effect, causing a liquid marble to rise above the level of the water surface when rotating.
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8
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Anyfantakis M, Jampani VSR, Kizhakidathazhath R, Binks BP, Lagerwall JPF. Responsive Photonic Liquid Marbles. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:19260-19267. [PMID: 32686264 PMCID: PMC7589305 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202008210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Liquid marbles have potential to serve as mini-reactors for fabricating new materials, but this has been exploited little and mostly for conventional chemical reactions. Here, we uncover the unparalleled capability of liquid marbles to act as platforms for controlling the self-assembly of a bio-derived polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, into a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase showing structural coloration by Bragg reflection. By adjusting the cholesteric pitch via quantitative water extraction, we achieve liquid marbles that we can tailor for structural color anywhere in the visible range. Liquid marbles respond with color change that can be detected by eye, to changes in temperature, exposure to toxic chemicals and mechanical deformation. Our concept demonstrates the advantages of using liquid marbles as a miniature platform for controlling the liquid crystal self-assembly of bio-derived polymers, and their exploitation to fabricate sustainable, responsive soft photonic objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manos Anyfantakis
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Venkata S. R. Jampani
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Rijeesh Kizhakidathazhath
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - Bernard P. Binks
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of HullHU6 7RXHullUK
| | - Jan P. F. Lagerwall
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceUniversity of Luxembourg162a Avenue de la Faïencerie1511LuxembourgLuxembourg
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9
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Gorgannezhad L, Sreejith KR, Christie M, Jin J, Ooi CH, Katouli M, Stratton H, Nguyen NT. Core-Shell Beads as Microreactors for Phylogrouping of E. coli Strains. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:mi11080761. [PMID: 32784703 PMCID: PMC7464145 DOI: 10.3390/mi11080761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an effective tool for simultaneous detection of target genes. Nevertheless, their use has been restricted due to the intrinsic interference between primer pairs. Performing several single PCRs in an array format instead of a multiplex PCR is a simple way to overcome this obstacle. However, there are still major technical challenges in designing a new generation of single PCR microreactors with a small sample volume, rapid thermal cycling, and no evaporation during amplification. We report a simple and robust core-shell bead array for a series of single amplifications. Four core-shell beads with a polymer coating and PCR mixture were synthesized using liquid marble formation and subsequent photo polymerization. Each bead can detect one target gene. We constructed a customised system for thermal cycling of these core-shell beads. Phylogrouping of the E. coli strains was carried out based on the fluorescent signal of the core-shell beads. This platform can be a promising alternative for multiplex nucleic acid analyses due to its simplicity and high throughput. The platform reported here also reduces the cycling time and avoids evaporation as well as contamination of the sample during the amplification process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Gorgannezhad
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (L.G.); (K.R.S.); (J.J.); (C.H.O.)
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (M.C.); (H.S.)
| | - Kamalalayam Rajan Sreejith
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (L.G.); (K.R.S.); (J.J.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Melody Christie
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (M.C.); (H.S.)
| | - Jing Jin
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (L.G.); (K.R.S.); (J.J.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Chin Hong Ooi
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (L.G.); (K.R.S.); (J.J.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Mohammad Katouli
- Genecology Research Centre, School of Health and Sports Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia;
| | - Helen Stratton
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (M.C.); (H.S.)
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; (L.G.); (K.R.S.); (J.J.); (C.H.O.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Zhu R, Liu M, Hou Y, Zhang L, Li M, Wang D, Fu S. One-Pot Preparation of Fluorine-Free Magnetic Superhydrophobic Particles for Controllable Liquid Marbles and Robust Multifunctional Coatings. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:17004-17017. [PMID: 32191430 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b22268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, magnetic superhydrophobic particles were prepared by simultaneously coating silica microspheres and modifying 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyl disilazane (HMDS) around the ferric oxide nanoparticles via a one-pot sol-gel process. The effect of the molar ratio of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to HMDS on the wettability of superhydrophobic particles (Fe3O4@SiO2/HMDS) was investigated. Various stable liquid marble encapsulated solvents with different surface tensions, pH values, volumes, and temperatures could be obtained by simply rolling them on superhydrophobic particles. The magnetic liquid marbles could be directional transported and fixed-point volatilized. Furthermore, superhydrophobic particles were sprayed onto different surfaces using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the binder to construct organic-inorganic composite multifunctional coatings by a one-step process. By optimizing the content of Fe3O4@SiO2/HMDS and PDMS in the spraying solution, the prepared coatings showed superior superhydrophobicity with contact angles of larger than 150° and sliding angles of smaller than 10°. The coated fluorine-free fabric possessed excellent air permeability, tensile strength, and hydrostatic pressure resistance, thus fulfilling the practical wearable requirements. Besides, the prepared fabrics maintained stable water repellency even after withstanding mechanical damages or long-term exposure to severe environments. Moreover, the coated superhydrophobic materials could be applied for the on-demand separation of various oil/water mixtures. In addition, the superhydrophobic fabric presented excellent photothermal conversion performances, showing outstanding anti-icing and accelerated deicing properties. Thus, the prepared nonfluorinated and stable magnetic particles offer potential in the areas of controlled encapsulation and directional delivery and, as building blocks, are promising for the construction of robust, large-area, and multifunctional self-cleaning surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruofei Zhu
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yuanyuan Hou
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Min Li
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Shaohai Fu
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Digital Textile Inkjet Printing, Key Laboratory of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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11
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Abstract
Mosquito compound eyes are elaborate multifunctional hierarchical structures. The presence of ordered curved features spanning length scales of nanometers to millimeters provides the mosquito eye with a wide field of view, an infinite depth of field, and antifogging properties. Developing bio-inspired compound lenses is challenging because of the need to mimic all characteristic curvatures along with their functionalities. Herein, we show how the curvature inherent to nanoparticles, emulsion droplets, and liquid marbles can be employed to mimic the hierarchical structure and functionality of mosquito compound eyes. At the nanometer to micrometer length scale we employ nanoparticle-stabilized emulsion droplets of photocurable oil to form microlenses with nanoscale surface features. After polymerization, the microlenses form a monolayer on an oil droplet to create an optically clear, millimeter scale, liquid marble that functions as a compound lens. We characterize the optical and surface properties of the compound lenses and find that they reproduce the functionality of the mosquito eye. Additionally, we exploit the mobility and reconfigurability of liquid marbles to create arrays (centimeter scale) of compound lenses and other types of functional lenses such as the Janus lens that magnifies the image acquired by the compound lens. Simple and scalable methods to create compound lenses could aid in the development of miniaturized advanced vision systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglee Shin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland 21218 , United States
| | - Tianxu Huang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland 21218 , United States
| | - Denise Neibloom
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland 21218 , United States
| | - Michael A Bevan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland 21218 , United States
| | - Joelle Frechette
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , Maryland 21218 , United States
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12
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Wanless EJ, Webber GB, Fujii S. Editorial: Particles at Fluid Interfaces. Front Chem 2019; 7:52. [PMID: 30792980 PMCID: PMC6374289 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Erica J Wanless
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Grant B Webber
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Syuji Fujii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan.,Nanomaterials Microdevices Research Center, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
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13
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Abstract
Motivated by the great potential of droplet microreactors for chemical and biological applications, a general and robust method utilizing an electric field is developed for sustained, directional and two-dimensional manipulation of nonwetting droplets (termed "liquid marbles"). With the understanding of the mechanism of actuation, this method allows individual liquid marbles to be actuated and coalesced on demand by fine-tuning the driving voltage. Moreover, in our system, cross-contamination between marbles during manipulation is avoided as confirmed by the absence of any trace DNA after amplification using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Fu
- Microfluidics & Soft Matter Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam Road , Hong Kong
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI) , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518000 , China
| | - Yage Zhang
- Microfluidics & Soft Matter Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam Road , Hong Kong
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI) , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518000 , China
| | - Hao Yuan
- Microfluidics & Soft Matter Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam Road , Hong Kong
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI) , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518000 , China
| | - Bernard P Binks
- School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences , University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX , United Kingdom
| | - Ho Cheung Shum
- Microfluidics & Soft Matter Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam Road , Hong Kong
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI) , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518000 , China
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14
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Kamiya N, Ohama Y, Minamihata K, Wakabayashi R, Goto M. Liquid Marbles as an Easy-to-Handle Compartment for Cell-Free Synthesis and In Situ Immobilization of Recombinant Proteins. Biotechnol J 2018; 13:e1800085. [PMID: 30152598 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Liquid marble (LM), a self-standing micro-scale aqueous droplet, emerges as a micro-bioreactor in biological applications. Herein, the potential of LM as media for cell-free synthesis and simultaneous immobilization of recombinant proteins is explored. Initially, formation of hydrogel marble (HM) by using an enzymatic disulfide-based hydrogelation technique is confirmed by incorporating three components, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a tetra-thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) derivative, and glycyl-L-tyrosine, in LM. The compatibility of the enzymatic hydrogelation with cell-free protein synthesis in LM is then validated. Although the hydrogelation reduces the level of protein synthesis in LM when compared with that in a test tube, the biosynthesis of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is achieved. Interestingly, EGFP synthesized in LM is entrapped in the HM, and the introduction of a cysteine residue to EGFP by genetic engineering further increases the amount of protein immobilization in the hydrogel matrices. These results suggest that the cell-free synthesis and HRP-catalyzed hydrogelation can be conducted in parallel in LM, and the eventual entrapment of the key components in HM is possible. Facile recovery of macromolecular products immobilized in HM by degrading the hydrogel network under reducing conditions should lead to the design of an easy-to-handle system to screen protein functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriho Kamiya
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Division of Biotechnology, Center for Future Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Ohama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Minamihata
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Rie Wakabayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Goto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Division of Biotechnology, Center for Future Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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15
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Ireland PM, Thomas CA, Lobel BT, Webber GB, Fujii S, Wanless EJ. An Electrostatic Method for Manufacturing Liquid Marbles and Particle-Stabilized Aggregates. Front Chem 2018; 6:280. [PMID: 30042941 PMCID: PMC6048197 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a method for transferring particles from a powder bed to a liquid droplet using an electric field. This process has been used to create liquid marbles with characteristics not normally found in those formed by direct contact methods such as rolling. It has also been used to manufacture hydrophilic particle-liquid aggregates and more complex layered aggregates incorporating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles. This article briefly outlines the electrostatic aggregation method itself, the materials used and structures formed thus far, and explores the rich fundamental physics and chemistry underpinning the process as they are understood at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Ireland
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Casey A Thomas
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin T Lobel
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Grant B Webber
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Syuji Fujii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan.,Nanomaterials Microdevices Research Center, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Erica J Wanless
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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16
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Ireland PM, Kido K, Webber GB, Fujii S, Wanless EJ. pH-Responsive Particle-Liquid Aggregates-Electrostatic Formation Kinetics. Front Chem 2018; 6:215. [PMID: 29963547 PMCID: PMC6010524 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-particle aggregates were formed electrostatically using pH-responsive poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEA)-coated polystyrene particles. This novel non-contact electrostatic method has been used to assess the particle stimulus-responsive wettability in detail. Video footage and fractal analysis were used in conjunction with a two-stage model to characterize the kinetics of transfer of particles to a water droplet surface, and internalization of particles by the droplet. While no stable liquid marbles were formed, metastable marbles were manufactured, whose duration of stability depended strongly on drop pH. Both transfer and internalization were markedly faster for droplets at low pH, where the particles were expected to be hydrophilic, than at high pH where they were expected to be hydrophobic. Increasing the driving electrical potential produced greater transfer and internalization times. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Ireland
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Kohei Kido
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Grant B Webber
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Syuji Fujii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan.,Nanomaterials Microdevices Research Center, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Erica J Wanless
- Priority Research Centre for Advanced Particle Processing and Transport, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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17
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Jin J, Ooi CH, Dao DV, Nguyen NT. Coalescence Processes of Droplets and Liquid Marbles. Micromachines (Basel) 2017; 8:mi8110336. [PMID: 30400525 PMCID: PMC6189937 DOI: 10.3390/mi8110336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The coalescence process of droplets and, more recently, of liquid marbles, has become one of the most essential manipulation schemes in digital microfluidics. This process is indispensable for realising microfluidic functions such as mixing and reactions at microscale. This paper reviews previous studies on droplet coalescence, paying particular attention to the coalescence of liquid marbles. Four coalescence systems have been reviewed, namely, the coalescence of two droplets freely suspended in a fluid; the coalescence of two sessile droplets on a solid substrate; the coalescence of a falling droplet and a sessile droplet on a solid substrate; and liquid marble coalescence. The review is presented according to the dynamic behaviors, physical mechanisms and experimental parameters of the coalescence process. It also provides a systematic overview of how the coalescence process of droplets and liquid marbles could be induced and manipulated using external energy. In addition, the practical applications of liquid marble coalescence as a novel microreactor are highlighted. Finally, future perspectives on the investigation of the coalescence process of liquid marbles are proposed. This review aims to facilitate better understanding of the coalescence of droplets and of liquid marbles as well as to shed new insight on future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Chin Hong Ooi
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Dzung Viet Dao
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
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18
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Kawashima H, Paven M, Mayama H, Butt HJ, Nakamura Y, Fujii S. Transfer of Materials from Water to Solid Surfaces Using Liquid Marbles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:33351-33359. [PMID: 28879765 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b11375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Remotely controlling the movement of small objects is desirable, especially for the transportation and selection of materials. Transfer of objects between liquid and solid surfaces and triggering their release would allow for development of novel material transportation technology. Here, we describe the remote transport of a material from a water film surface to a solid surface using quasispherical liquid marbles (LMs). A light-induced Marangoni flow or an air stream is used to propel the LMs on water. As the LMs approach the rim of the water film, gravity forces them to slide down the water rim and roll onto the solid surface. Through this method, LMs can be efficiently moved on water and placed on a solid surface. The materials encapsulated within LMs can be released at a specific time by an external stimulus. We analyzed the velocity, acceleration, and force of the LMs on the liquid and solid surfaces. On water, the sliding friction due to the drag force resists the movement of the LMs. On a solid surface, the rolling distance is affected by the surface roughness of the LMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxime Paven
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hiroyuki Mayama
- Department of Chemistry, Asahikawa Medical University , 2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
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19
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Li H, Liu P, Kaur G, Yao X, Yang M. Transparent and Gas-Permeable Liquid Marbles for Culturing and Drug Sensitivity Test of Tumor Spheroids. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 28426154 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201700185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Transparent nanoparticle-based liquid marbles with high gas-permeability are prepared to culture tumor spheroids in 3D without the need of supplementary growth factor. The culturing process of spheroids from a population of cancer cells or a single cell in the transparent liquid marbles can be optically recorded continuously. Compared to monolayer cells and spheroids generated in multiwell plate, tumor spheroids cultured in the liquid marbles show enhanced viability under the treatment of chemotherapeutic drugs and small interfering RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualin Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; City University of Hong Kong; 83 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong 999077 Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology; Biotechnology and Health Centre; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute; 518075 Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; City University of Hong Kong; 83 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong 999077 Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology; Biotechnology and Health Centre; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute; 518075 Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Guneet Kaur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; City University of Hong Kong; 83 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong 999077 Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
| | - Xi Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; City University of Hong Kong; 83 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong 999077 Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology; Biotechnology and Health Centre; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute; 518075 Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences; City University of Hong Kong; 83 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong 999077 Hong Kong SAR P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology; Biotechnology and Health Centre; City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute; 518075 Shenzhen P. R. China
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20
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Zhang P, Yang L, Li Q, Wu S, Jia S, Li Z, Zhang Z, Shi L. Ellipsoidal Colloids with a Controlled Surface Roughness via Bioinspired Surface Engineering: Building Blocks for Liquid Marbles and Superhydrophobic Surfaces. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:7648-7657. [PMID: 28181430 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b16733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the important role of the surface roughness of nano/colloidal particles and harnessing them for practical applications need novel strategies to control the particles' surface topology. Although there are many examples of spherical particles with a specific surface roughness, nonspherical ones with similar surface features are rare. The current work reports a one-step, straightforward, and bioinspired surface engineering strategy to prepare ellipsoidal particles with a controlled surface roughness. By manipulating the unique chemistry inherent to the oxidation-induced self-polymerization of dopamine into polydopamine (PDA), PDA coating of polymeric ellipsoids leads to a library of hybrid ellipsoidal particles (PS@PDA) with a surface that decorates with nanoscale PDA protrusions of various densities and sizes. Together with the advantages originated from the anisotropy of ellipsoids and rich chemistry of PDA, such a surface feature endows these particles with some unique properties. Evaporative drying of fluorinated PS@PDA particles produces a homogeneous coating with superhydrophobicity that arises from the two-scale hierarchal structure of microscale interparticle packing and nanoscale roughness of the constituent ellipsoids. Instead of water repelling that occurs for most of the lotus leaf-like superhydrophobic surfaces, such coating exhibits strong water adhesion that is observed with certain species of rose pedals. In addition, the as-prepared hybrid ellipsoids are very efficient in preparing liquid marble-isolated droplets covered with solid particles. Such liquid marbles can be placed onto many surfaces and might be useful for the controllable transport and manipulation of small volumes of liquids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University , Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lu Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University , Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Songhai Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shaoyi Jia
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhanyong Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University , Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhenkun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University , Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Linqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University , Tianjin 300071, China
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21
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Huang G, Li M, Yang Q, Li Y, Liu H, Yang H, Xu F. Magnetically Actuated Droplet Manipulation and Its Potential Biomedical Applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:1155-1166. [PMID: 27991766 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b09017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Droplet manipulation has found broad applications in various engineering and biomedical fields, such as biochemistry, microfluidic systems, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Many methods have been developed to enhance the ability for manipulating droplets, among which magnetically actuated droplet manipulation has attracted widespread interests due to its remote, noninvasive manipulation ability and biocompatibility. This review summarizes the approaches and their principles that enable actuating the droplet magnetically. The potential biomedical applications of such a technique in bioassay, cell assembly, and tissue engineering are given.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hui Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University , Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
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22
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Han X, Lee HK, Lim WC, Lee YH, Phan-Quang GC, Phang IY, Ling XY. Spinning Liquid Marble and Its Dual Applications as Microcentrifuge and Miniature Localized Viscometer. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:23941-23946. [PMID: 27548629 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b07766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Liquid marble offers an attractive droplet manipulation approach by isolating microdroplet in a nonstick encapsulating shell formed via the spontaneous coating of hydrophobic particles onto the liquid surface. While liquid marble prepared using magnetic nanoparticles enables precise spatiotemporal actuation of microdroplets, these manipulations are generally limited to simple and linear spatial maneuver of microdroplets. Herein, we demonstrate the unique and three-dimensional spinning of microliter-sized liquid marble (LM) and its subsequent dual applications as (1) the world's smallest centrifuge and (2) a miniature and localized viscometer. Our LM is responsive to an applied rotating magnetic field, with its spinning speed programmable between 0 and 1300 rpm. This spinning generates an unprecedented centrifugal force of >2g in a LM of ∼1 mm radius. Such centrifugal force facilitates an outward and radial hydrodynamic flow in the enclosed microdroplet, enabling LM to serve as a microcentrifuge for the sedimentation of nanoparticles with >85% separation efficiency. Furthermore, we apply spinning LM as an ultrasensitive spin-to-viscosity transducer to quantify the viscosity of the external suspended liquid in the relative viscosity (η/ηwater) range of 1-70 using ≤1 mL liquid sample. Collectively, the ensemble of benefits offered by spinning LM creates enormous opportunities in the development of multifunctional micromagneto-mechanical devices as promising surface-sensitive microsensor, miniature centrifugal pump, and even microreactor with directed heat and mass transfer mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Han
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Hiang Kwee Lee
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, 08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Wei Chun Lim
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Yih Hong Lee
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Gia Chuong Phan-Quang
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - In Yee Phang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, 08-03, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Xing Yi Ling
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 637371, Singapore
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23
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Castro JO, Neves BM, Rezk AR, Eshtiaghi N, Yeo LY. Continuous Production of Janus and Composite Liquid Marbles with Tunable Coverage. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:17751-17756. [PMID: 27389811 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b05321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We report a simple method for on-demand continuous processing of composite liquid marbles with the aid of a 3D printed slide platform, which offers the potential for engineering novel functional surfaces for the production of combination drug therapies, particle-based barcode biomarkers and smart membranes, among other applications. Unlike other attempts at producing such liquid marbles, this novel technique not only facilitates controllable and reproducible production of the liquid marbles but also allows the selection of different morphologies such as banded, patchy, and Janus structures by controlling the coalescence conditions, with the possibility for tunable symmetric and asymmetric patterns, the latter by varying the particle species partitioning ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine O Castro
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Bruna M Neves
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Amgad R Rezk
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Nicky Eshtiaghi
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Leslie Y Yeo
- School of Engineering, RMIT University , Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
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24
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Abstract
Facile manipulation of a tiny liquid droplet is an important but challenging issue for many miniaturized chemical and biological systems. Here we report that a microdroplet can be readily and remotely manipulated in aqueous environments under ambient conditions. The droplet is encapsulated with photothermal nanoparticles to form a liquid marble, and subsequently irradiated with a near-infrared (NIR) laser. The marble is able to ascend, shuttle, horizontally move, and even suspend in water by simply controlling the laser irradiation. Moreover, filling and draining of the marble can also be conducted on the water surface for the first time. This facile manipulation strategy does not use complicated nanostructures or sophisticated equipment, so it has potential applications for channel-free microfluidics, smart microreators, microengines, microrobots, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Fatang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Liming Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Qinmin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology , Harbin 150001, P. R. China
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25
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Abstract
Liquid marbles (LMs) are nonsticky droplets covered by micro- or nanometrically scaled particles and obtained by simply rolling small amounts of a liquid in a very hydrophobic powder. Since pioneer work by Aussillous and Quéré, a wide palette of hydrophobic materials for the preparation of LMs, as well as potential applications, have been reported. Because of the bioinspired origin of this concept, the applicability of LMs in biomedicine is gaining increasing attention, with remarkable advances in their use as microbioreactors for blood typing, drug screening, and tumor growth, among others. Herein, we explore the novel use of LMs as a biotechnological tool for the cryopreservation of mammalian cells as an alternative to conventional methods, which typically require the use of cryopreservant agents that commonly associate with some degree of cell toxicity. Murine L929 fibroblasts, a reference cell line for cytotoxicity studies, and poly(tetrafluoroethylene), a hydrophobic polymer widely used in cardiovascular surgery, were selected for the preparation of the cell-containing LMs. Our results reveal that there is a safe range of droplet volumes and cell densities that can be successfully used to cryopreserve mammalian cell lines and recover them after thawing without significantly affecting major cellular parameters such as adhesion, morphology, viability, proliferation, and cell cycle. We envision that progress in the exploration of cell-containing LMs could also open their impact as microreactors for the miniaturization of cytotoxicity procedures of drugs and materials in which powerful tools for cell evaluation such as flow cytometry could be used because of the elevated amount of cells handled.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Concepción Serrano
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) , C/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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26
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Sarvi F, Jain K, Arbatan T, Verma PJ, Hourigan K, Thompson MC, Shen W, Chan PPY. Cardiogenesis of embryonic stem cells with liquid marble micro-bioreactor. Adv Healthc Mater 2015; 4:77-86. [PMID: 24818841 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201400138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A liquid marble micro-bioreactor is prepared by placing a drop of murine embryonic stem cell (ESC) (Oct4B2-ESC) suspension onto a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particle bed. The Oct4B2-ESC aggregates to form embryoid bodies (EBs) with relatively uniform size and shape in a liquid marble within 3 d. For the first time, the feasibility of differentiating ESC into cardiac lineages within liquid marbles is being investigated. Without the addition of growth factors, suspended EBs from liquid marbles express various precardiac mesoderm markers including Flk-1, Gata4, and Nkx2.5. Some of the suspended EBs exhibit spontaneous contraction. These results indicate that the liquid marble provides a suitable microenvironment to induce EB formation and spontaneous cardiac mesoderm differentiation. Some of the EBs are subsequently plated onto gelatin-coated tissue culture dishes. Plated EBs express mature cardiac markers atrial myosin light chain 2a (MLC2a) and ventricular myosin light chain (MLC2v), and the cardiac structural marker α-actinin. More than 60% of the plated EBs exhibit spontaneous contraction and express mature cardiomyocyte marker cardiac troponin T (cTnT), indicating that these EBs have differentiated into functional cardiomyocytes. Together, these results demonstrate that the liquid-marble technique is an easily employed, cost effective, and efficient approach to generate EBs and facilitating their cardiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sarvi
- Division of Biological Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Kanika Jain
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Tina Arbatan
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Paul J. Verma
- Division of Biological Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
- South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI); Rosedale SA 5350 Australia
| | - Kerry Hourigan
- Division of Biological Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Mark C. Thompson
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Chemical Engineering; Monash University; VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Peggy P. Y. Chan
- Micro/Nanophysics Research Laboratory, School of Applied Science; RMIT University; Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication; Australia National Fabrication Facility; Clayton VIC 3168 Australia
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Zhao R, Zhang Q, Tjugito H, Cheng X. Granular impact cratering by liquid drops: Understanding raindrop imprints through an analogy to asteroid strikes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:342-7. [PMID: 25548187 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1419271112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
When a granular material is impacted by a sphere, its surface deforms like a liquid yet it preserves a circular crater like a solid. Although the mechanism of granular impact cratering by solid spheres is well explored, our knowledge on granular impact cratering by liquid drops is still very limited. Here, by combining high-speed photography with high-precision laser profilometry, we investigate liquid-drop impact dynamics on granular surface and monitor the morphology of resulting impact craters. Surprisingly, we find that despite the enormous energy and length difference, granular impact cratering by liquid drops follows the same energy scaling and reproduces the same crater morphology as that of asteroid impact craters. Inspired by this similarity, we integrate the physical insight from planetary sciences, the liquid marble model from fluid mechanics, and the concept of jamming transition from granular physics into a simple theoretical framework that quantitatively describes all of the main features of liquid-drop imprints in granular media. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms governing raindrop impacts on granular surfaces and reveals a remarkable analogy between familiar phenomena of raining and catastrophic asteroid strikes.
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Xue Y, Liu Y, Lu F, Qu J, Chen H, Dai L. Functionalization of Graphene Oxide with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) for Multifunctional Applications. J Phys Chem Lett 2012; 3:1607-12. [PMID: 26285716 DOI: 10.1021/jz3005877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Through the amide formation between amine-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and oxygen-containing groups (e.g., epoxy and carboxyl groups) in graphene oxide (GO), we have synthesized POSS-functionalized graphene nanosheets (POSS-graphene), which are highly soluble in various organic solvents attractive for multifunctional applications. Thin films from solution casting of the resultant POSS-graphene were found to show superhydrophobic properties with a water/air contact angle of ∼157°, while the superhydrophobic POSS-graphene powder could be used to construct liquid marbles. In addition, the POSS-graphene hybrids were also used as novel nanofillers to increase the glass transition temperature (Tg) and decompose temperature (Td) for polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Xue
- ‡Center of Advanced Science and Engineering for Carbon (Case4Carbon), Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Liming Dai
- ‡Center of Advanced Science and Engineering for Carbon (Case4Carbon), Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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