Research

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16 pages, 3904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication and Bonding of Refractive Index Matched Microfluidics for Precise Measurements of Cell Mass

by Edward R. Polanco, Justin Griffin and Thomas A. Zangle

Polymers 2021, 13(4), 496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13040496 - 05 Feb 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1972

The optical properties of polymer materials used for microfluidic device fabrication can impact device performance when used for optical measurements. In particular, conventional polymer materials used for microfluidic devices have a large difference in refractive index relative to aqueous media generally used for [...] Read more.

The optical properties of polymer materials used for microfluidic device fabrication can impact device performance when used for optical measurements. In particular, conventional polymer materials used for microfluidic devices have a large difference in refractive index relative to aqueous media generally used for biomedical applications. This can create artifacts when used for microscopy-based assays. Fluorination can reduce polymer refractive index, but at the cost of reduced adhesion, creating issues with device bonding. Here, we present a novel fabrication technique for bonding microfluidic devices made of NOA1348, which is a fluorinated, UV-curable polymer with a refractive index similar to that of water, to a glass substrate. This technique is compatible with soft lithography techniques, making this approach readily integrated into existing microfabrication workflows. We also demonstrate that this material is compatible with quantitative phase imaging, which we used to validate the refractive index of the material post-fabrication. Finally, we demonstrate the use of this material with a novel image processing approach to precisely quantify the mass of cells in the microchannel without the use of cell segmentation or tracking. The novel image processing approach combined with this low refractive index material eliminates an important source of error, allowing for high-precision measurements of cell mass with a coefficient of variance of 1%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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11 pages, 4181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Method for Simultaneous Polishing and Hydrophobization of Polycarbonate for Microfluidic Applications

by Dominika Ogończyk, Paweł Jankowski and Piotr Garstecki

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2490; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12112490 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2064

Abstract

Here we present a new methodology for chemical polishing of microchannels in polycarbonate (PC). Tuning the time of exposition and the concentration of ammonia, the roughness arising from the micromachining process can be significantly reduced or completely removed while preserving the structure of [...] Read more.

Here we present a new methodology for chemical polishing of microchannels in polycarbonate (PC). Tuning the time of exposition and the concentration of ammonia, the roughness arising from the micromachining process can be significantly reduced or completely removed while preserving the structure of microchannels. Besides smoothing out the surface, our method modifies the wettability of the surface, rendering it hydrophobic. The method increases the optical transparency of microchannels and eliminates undesired effects in two-phase microfluidic systems, including wetting by aqueous solutions and cross-contamination between aqueous droplets that could otherwise shed satellites via pinning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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16 pages, 6252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Parameter Research of Time-Harmonic Magnetic Field Sensor Based on PDMS in Microfluidic Technology

by Chenzhao Bai, Hongpeng Zhang, Chengjie Wang, Lebile Ilerioluwa Joseph, Qiang Wang, Yucai Xie and Guobin Li

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2022; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12092022 - 04 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2345

Abstract

In order to improve the throughput and sensitivity of the inductive metal micro-abrasive particle detection sensor, this paper uses microfluidic detection technology to design a high-throughput abrasive particle detection sensor based on PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane). Theoretical modeling analyzes the magnetization of metal abrasive particles [...] Read more.

In order to improve the throughput and sensitivity of the inductive metal micro-abrasive particle detection sensor, this paper uses microfluidic detection technology to design a high-throughput abrasive particle detection sensor based on PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane). Theoretical modeling analyzes the magnetization of metal abrasive particles in the coil’s time-harmonic magnetic field, and uses COMSOL simulation to calculate the best performance parameters of the sensor. Through the experiment of the control variable method, the corresponding signal value is obtained and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is calculated. The SNR value and error value are calculated, and the SNR is corrected. The detection limit of the sensor is determined to be 10 μm iron particles and 60 μm copper particles. The optimal design parameters of the 3-D solenoid coil and the frequency characteristics of the sensor are obtained. Finally, through high-throughput experiments and analysis, it was found that there was a reasonable error between the actual throughput and the theoretical throughput. The design ideas suggested in this article can not only improve the sample throughput, but also ensure the detection accuracy. This provides a new idea for the development of an inductive on-line detection method of abrasive particle technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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17 pages, 2215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Nanofabrication of PLGA-Chitosan-PEG Systems Employing Microfluidics and Emulsification Solvent Evaporation Techniques

by Divesha Essa, Yahya E. Choonara, Pierre P. D. Kondiah and Viness Pillay

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1882; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12091882 - 21 Aug 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4304

Abstract

Poor circulation stability and inadequate cell membrane penetration are significant impediments in the implementation of nanocarriers as delivery systems for therapeutic agents with low bioavailability. This research discusses the fabrication of a biocompatible poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based nanocarrier with cationic and hydrophilic surface properties [...] Read more.

Poor circulation stability and inadequate cell membrane penetration are significant impediments in the implementation of nanocarriers as delivery systems for therapeutic agents with low bioavailability. This research discusses the fabrication of a biocompatible poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) based nanocarrier with cationic and hydrophilic surface properties provided by natural polymer chitosan and coating polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG) for the entrapment of the hydrophobic drug disulfiram. The traditional emulsification solvent evaporation method was compared to a microfluidics-based method of fabrication, with the optimisation of the parameters for each method, and the PEGylation densities on the experimental nanoparticle formulations were varied. The size and surface properties of the intermediates and products were characterised and compared by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Results showed optimal particle properties with an intermediate PEG density and a positive surface charge for greater biocompatibility, with nanoparticle surface characteristics shielding physical interaction of the entrapped drug with the exterior. The formulations prepared using the microfluidic method displayed superior surface charge, entrapment and drug release properties. The final system shows potential as a component of a biocompatible nanocarrier for poorly soluble drugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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17 pages, 1975 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motion of an Elastic Capsule in a Trapezoidal Microchannel under Stokes Flow Conditions

by Abdollah Koolivand and Panagiotis Dimitrakopoulos

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12051144 - 17 May 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2764

Abstract

Even though the research interest in the last decades has been mainly focused on the capsule dynamics in cylindrical or rectangular ducts, channels with asymmetric cross-sections may also be desirable especially for capsule migration and sorting. Therefore, in the present study we investigate [...] Read more.

Even though the research interest in the last decades has been mainly focused on the capsule dynamics in cylindrical or rectangular ducts, channels with asymmetric cross-sections may also be desirable especially for capsule migration and sorting. Therefore, in the present study we investigate computationally the motion of an elastic spherical capsule in an isosceles trapezoidal microchannel at low and moderate flow rates under the Stokes regime. The steady-state capsule location is quite close to the location where the single-phase velocity of the surrounding fluid is maximized. Owing to the asymmetry of the trapezoidal channel, the capsule’s steady-state shape is asymmetric while its membrane slowly tank-treads. In addition, our investigation reveals that tall trapezoidal channels with low base ratios produce significant off-center migration for large capsules compared to that for smaller capsules for a given channel length. Thus, we propose a microdevice for the sorting of artificial and physiological capsules based on their size, by utilizing tall trapezoidal microchannels with low base ratios. The proposed sorting microdevice can be readily produced via glass fabrication or as a microfluidic device via micromilling, while the required flow conditions do not cause membrane rupture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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12 pages, 3775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

512-Channel Geometric Droplet-Splitting Microfluidic Device by Injection of Premixed Emulsion for Microsphere Production

by Chul Min Kim, Hye Jin Choi and Gyu Man Kim

Polymers 2020, 12(4), 776; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12040776 - 01 Apr 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3142

Abstract

We present a 512-channel geometric droplet-splitting microfluidic device that involves the injection of a premixed emulsion for microsphere production. The presented microfluidic device was fabricated using conventional photolithography and polydimethylsiloxane casting. The fabricated microfluidic device consisted of 512 channels with 256 T-junctions in [...] Read more.

We present a 512-channel geometric droplet-splitting microfluidic device that involves the injection of a premixed emulsion for microsphere production. The presented microfluidic device was fabricated using conventional photolithography and polydimethylsiloxane casting. The fabricated microfluidic device consisted of 512 channels with 256 T-junctions in the last branch. Five hundred and twelve microdroplets with a narrow size distribution were produced from a single liquid droplet. The diameter and size distribution of prepared micro water droplets were 35.29 µm and 8.8% at 10 mL/h, respectively. Moreover, we attempted to prepare biocompatible microspheres for demonstrating the presented approach. The diameter and size distribution of the prepared poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres were 6.56 µm and 8.66% at 10 mL/h, respectively. To improve the monodispersity of the microspheres, we designed an additional post array part in the 512-channel geometric droplet-splitting microfluidic device. The monodispersity of the microdroplets prepared with the microfluidic device combined with the post array part exhibited a significant improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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13 pages, 2173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Fabrication of Microfluidic Chips for 3D Hydrodynamic Focusing and Wet Spinning of Polymeric Fibers

by Akin Gursoy, Kamran Iranshahi, Kongchang Wei, Alexis Tello, Efe Armagan, Luciano F. Boesel, Fabien Sorin, René M. Rossi, Thijs Defraeye and Claudio Toncelli

Polymers 2020, 12(3), 633; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12030633 - 10 Mar 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4987

Abstract

Microfluidic wet spinning has gained increasing interest in recent years as an alternative to conventional wet spinning by offering higher control in fiber morphology and a gateway for the development of multi-material fibers. Conventionally, microfluidic chips used to create such fibers are fabricated [...] Read more.

Microfluidic wet spinning has gained increasing interest in recent years as an alternative to conventional wet spinning by offering higher control in fiber morphology and a gateway for the development of multi-material fibers. Conventionally, microfluidic chips used to create such fibers are fabricated by soft lithography, a method that requires both time and investment in necessary cleanroom facilities. Recently, additive manufacturing techniques were investigated for rapid and cost-efficient prototyping. However, these microfluidic devices are not yet matching the resolutions and tolerances offered by soft lithography. Herein, we report a facile and rapid method using selected arrays of hypodermic needles as templates within a silicone elastomer matrix. The produced microfluidic spinnerets display co-axially aligned circular channels. By simulation and flow experiments, we prove that these devices can maintain laminar flow conditions and achieve precise 3D hydrodynamic focusing. The devices were tested with a commercial polyurethane formulation to demonstrate that fibers with desired morphologies can be produced by varying the degree of hydrodynamic focusing. Thanks to the adaptability of this concept to different microfluidic spinneret designs—as well as to its transparency, ease of fabrication, and cost-efficient procedure—this device sets the ground for transferring microfluidic wet spinning towards industrial textile settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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Review

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19 pages, 3929 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microfluidic Technology for the Production of Well-Ordered Porous Polymer Scaffolds

by Pei Zhao, Jianchun Wang, Yan Li, Xueying Wang, Chengmin Chen and Guangxia Liu

Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1863; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12091863 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4022

Abstract

Advances in tissue engineering (TE) have revealed that porosity architectures, such as pore shape, pore size and pore interconnectivity are the key morphological properties of scaffolds. Well-ordered porous polymer scaffolds, which have uniform pore size, regular geometric shape, high porosity and good pore [...] Read more.

Advances in tissue engineering (TE) have revealed that porosity architectures, such as pore shape, pore size and pore interconnectivity are the key morphological properties of scaffolds. Well-ordered porous polymer scaffolds, which have uniform pore size, regular geometric shape, high porosity and good pore interconnectivity, facilitate the loading and distribution of active biomolecules, as well as cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. However, these are difficult to prepare by traditional methods and the existing well-ordered porous scaffold preparation methods require expensive experimental equipment or cumbersome preparation steps. Generally, droplet-based microfluidics, which generates and manipulates discrete droplets through immiscible multiphase flows inside microchannels, has emerged as a versatile tool for generation of well-ordered porous materials. This short review details this novel method and the latest developments in well-ordered porous scaffold preparation via microfluidic technology. The pore structure and properties of microfluidic scaffolds are discussed in depth, laying the foundation for further research and application in TE. Furthermore, we outline the bottlenecks and future developments in this particular field, and a brief outlook on the future development of microfluidic technique for scaffold fabrication is presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials and Fabrication Processes for Microfluidic Applications)

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