Articles tagged with Microfluidics
Researchers at NC State University have developed a technique to create miniature soft hydraulic actuators that can move small soft robots, allowing for exceptional control and delicacy. The actuators use shape memory polymers and microfluidic channels to control the motion and shape change of the soft robots.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed vessel-chip technology to create a platform for preclinical drug discovery, reducing the need for animal testing. The system mimics human circulatory systems using tissue-engineered microfluidic devices.
A team of researchers created a microfluidic human cervix model that replicates the complex interactions between cervical epithelial cells, mucus production, and microbiome. The Cervix Chip technology offers a new testbed for bacterial vaginosis therapeutics and other treatments, addressing a key women's health gap.
A team from Osaka University demonstrates greater control of ion passage through a nanopore membrane by applying a voltage to a gate electrode. This leads to a six-fold increase in osmotic energy efficiency and a power density of 15 W/m^2, enabling the potential for scaling up the technology.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a novel integrated immunoassay device with autonomous control functions, reducing analysis time by one-third to 30 minutes. The centrifugal microfluidic chip can perform complex fluid control without extensive user training or manual labor.
Elastic turbulence, a chaotic fluid motion in non-Newtonian fluids, exhibits universal power-law decay of energy and intermittent behavior. This study reveals its unexpected similarity to classical Newtonian turbulence, paving the way for developing a complete mathematical theory and predicting flow patterns.
A novel acoustofluidic micropump has been developed to efficiently drive liquid in energy and space, providing robust technical support for portable systems. The micropump exhibits high volume efficiencies and superior energy efficiency, exceeding reported values.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University has developed a microfluidic co-culture vasculature chip that mimics the microenvironment of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare cancer. The chip enables scientists to study cell-to-cell interactions and angiogenic mechanisms, which may lead to new strategies for treating ASPS patients.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a chip that can directly isolate blood plasma from a tube of blood in just 30 minutes, removing over 99.9% of blood cells and platelets. The device, called ExoArc, enables high-quality plasma for disease screening and research, improving diagnosis accuracy and reducing waiting times.
Researchers developed a unique microfluidics-based diagnostic system that combines optical tweezers with stimulated Raman spectroscopy to enable fast and accurate diagnosis of leukemia. The device can identify cancer cells based on their metabolic activities and metabolites, providing tailored treatment options.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have engineered a micro total analysis system that quantifies target chemicals in a microfluidic chip without pumps or expensive detectors. The device uses gas production to drive ink flow and measure the original chemical concentration.
A microfluidic chip can remove undifferentiated cells that could form tumors before they are implanted in a patient, improving the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy. The device can sort over 3 million cells per minute without causing damage to fully-formed progenitor cells.
Researchers have developed a new microfluidic system that utilizes porous inverse colloidal crystal structures to dramatically improve the efficiency of microdroplet generation. The system can produce droplets around 1,000 times faster than traditional devices, enabling applications in medicine, food, cosmetics, and more.
Researchers from Duke University and Virginia Tech pioneered the integration of aerosol jet printing technology into SAW microfluidic devices. The method reduces fabrication time from 40 hours to 5 minutes per device, offering a faster, more adaptable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers from Tohoku University and OIST have introduced a miniaturized rotational thermal drawing process, enabling the rapid prototyping of three-dimensional microfluidic systems. This innovation facilitates precise biofluid manipulation and unlocks endless possibilities for combining diverse materials.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully spin artificial spider silk that closely matches natural production, mimicking the complex molecular structure of silk. The eco-friendly innovation has potential benefits for environment and biomedical fields.
Researchers have developed a novel microfluidic magnetic detection system that enables rapid and highly sensitive detection of tumor-derived exosomes, potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. The system's serpentine design enhances TDE capture efficiency, while DNA probes augment specificity.
Scientists have found that by controlling ion flow through nanopores, they can achieve cooling. At high concentrations, increased heat was measured, but at low concentrations, negatively charged ions interacted with the nanopore wall, resulting in a decrease in temperature.
McGill researchers have developed capillaric chips that can be 3D-printed in 30 minutes, enabling on-the-spot testing and potentially making diagnostic tests more accessible. The technology has the potential to speed up diagnoses, enhance patient care, and usher in a new era of accessible testing.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a detailed understanding of microfluidic post-array devices, which are used to create monodisperse emulsions with controlled droplet size. The team found that effective capillary number and specific geometric parameters play crucial roles in droplet formation.
Researchers have developed a new method, SECRE, to identify genetic regulators of cytokine secretion in autoimmune diseases. The technique has been validated on cells known to play a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and shows promising results for treating conditions with few therapeutic options.
A novel electrical impedance-based microfluidic platform provides rapid and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing within an hour, eliminating the need for long-term bacterial culture. The platform reduces human error and increases reliability, making it a promising tool in combating antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
Researchers developed an integrated microfluidic chip for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing from positive blood cultures, reducing diagnosis time to under 3.5 hours. The chip demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosing clinical cases with a 93.3% agreement rate.
Researchers discovered a unique optical signature in magnetic beads, which can be used to detect pathogens like Salmonella. This technique enables quick detection within less than an hour, potentially revolutionizing food and water testing.
Researchers developed a microfluidic platform harnessing acoustic radiation force to manipulate droplets in air, achieving jump heights of up to 128mm. The platform allows for control over the direction and movement of droplets, enabling potential applications in scientific experiments and three-dimensional displays.
Researchers propose lab-on-a-chip platforms to continuously monitor stored RBC quality and match units to patient needs. This technology aims to improve transfusion safety and efficacy, particularly for critically ill patients and those on chronic transfusion regimens.
A novel microfluidic sweat lactate sensor has been developed to measure sweat lactate levels continuously during exercise without interruptions from air bubbles. The device uses a larger-than-usual sweat reservoir to trap air bubbles, preventing them from contacting the sensors' electrodes.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to building point-of-care diagnostic devices that uses gravity to transport and mix liquid droplets. The device relies on commercially available surface coatings that can tweak the wettability and slipperiness of the channels, allowing for complex fluid paths to be designed.
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing pipeline to simplify and advance high-value manufacturing of tissue-compatible organs, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough aims to address the dire need for artificially engineered organs and tissue grafts, potentially saving thousands of lives in the UK.
Scientists developed a microfluidic system to study luminal flow around villi in the small intestine, revealing diverse flow behaviors and underlying mechanisms. The device uses air-driven balloon actuators to deform intestinal tissue, generating dynamic flows that can be observed with microscopic fluorescent beads.
The iPODs system enables rapid-results testing with reduced error, cross-contamination, and sample loss by automating droplet transfer. The device shows strong linearity in bacterial detection, with an R-squared value of 0.999, making it accurate for point-of-care testing.
Cascaded microfluidic circuits successfully isolate and purify EVs directly from blood samples within 30 minutes, surpassing ultracentrifugation and dead-end filtration methods. The technology has high clinical potential for early cancer diagnosis and real-time monitoring of tumor development.
A team of researchers has developed a method that uses electric stimulation to accelerate wound healing, making it possible for wounds to heal up to three times faster. The technique involves applying an electric field to damaged skin, which helps guide skin cells in the same direction, promoting faster healing.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed a microfluidic device using acoustic focusing to collect microplastics from water. The device achieved a 105-fold enrichment of MPs, making it an efficient solution for removing microplastics from laundry and industrial wastewater.
Scientists have developed a new microfluidic sperm selection device to improve IVF success rates. The device replicates the natural sperm selection process, resulting in an 85% improvement in DNA integrity and a 90% reduction in sperm cell death.
A WPI researcher is leading a three-year project to investigate the effects of stretching and blood flow on cardiovascular cells in tissue-engineered heart valves. The project aims to expand understanding of mechanical forces that propel cells in the body, with potential applications in other fields like cancer and wound healing.
Researchers used microfluidic devices to track what happens to cancer cells as they migrate and take root in the brain. They found that Dkk-1 triggers cancer cell migration, and reducing its levels near tumor cells may disrupt crosstalk between brain niche cells and cancer cells.
Researchers developed a self-driven lab, AlphaFlow, that uses AI to optimize complex chemical reactions and discover new materials. The system significantly reduces the time needed to develop new chemistries from months to hours.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong identified lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) as a key factor in promoting confined migration of liver and pancreatic cancer cells. The study found that LH1 promotes metastasis by stabilizing Septin2, which enhances the actin network.
Key laboratory conducted a literature review on microfluidic actuated and controlled systems for lab-on-chip applications in space life science. The research highlights the challenges and advancements in microfluidic chip technology, including micropumps and microvalves.
Researchers developed a new device that detects and analyzes cancer cells in blood samples, enabling doctors to avoid invasive biopsies and monitor treatment progress. The Static Droplet Microfluidic device uses metabolic signatures to differentiate tumour cells from normal blood cells.
Researchers developed a microfluidic model of vascular malformation caused by PIK3CA mutation, allowing them to study disease mechanisms and test treatment efficacy. The model successfully replicated the disease's manifestations and responded to alpelisib, a newly approved PIK3CA inhibitor.
The article analyzes digital microfluidics' (DMF) benefits for bacterial protocols, highlighting its versatility and potential applications in synthetic biology and diagnostics. DMF's electrostatic forces manipulate microdroplets on a plate, enabling sample preparation and nucleic acid detection.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to model the spleen's filtration function in patients with sickle cell disease. The study found that low oxygen levels can cause the spleen's filters to become clogged, while boosting oxygen levels can unclog them, potentially explaining how blood transfusions help patients.
Researchers at IBS CSLM discovered pair quasiparticles in a classical system of microparticles driven by viscous flow. These long-lived excitations exhibit anti-Newtonian forces that stabilize pairs, similar to the behavior of Dirac quasiparticles in graphene.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a device that uses ultrasound to automate laboratory analysis tasks. The device combines microfluidics and robotics, allowing for the mixing, pumping, and trapping of tiny amounts of liquid. This innovation enables the automation of previously custom-designed systems.
Researchers discovered that sugar plays a key role in the formation of fluid-filled cysts associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). By understanding this process, they identified a potential new approach to treating PKD, focusing on blocking sugar absorption in the kidneys.
A new parallel peripheral-photoinhibition lithography system has been developed, enabling the fabrication of subdiffraction-limit features with high efficiency. The system uses two beams to excite and inhibit polymerization, allowing for nonperiodic and complex patterns to be printed simultaneously.
A new computational tool can generate an optimal design for a complex fluidic device without requiring manual assumptions about its shape. The system uses anisotropic materials to represent tiny voxels, allowing it to create smooth curves and intricate designs that other methods cannot.
Researchers developed a disposable, fast, and reliable biosensor system to detect putrescine in beef samples, improving food safety. The system uses cell-free protein synthesis and is designed to be consumer-friendly, empowering individuals to check the quality of their food.
Researchers developed a novel method for creating microspheres using a low-cost 3D printer, increasing efficiency and reducing costs compared to traditional methods. The new device produces high-throughput uniform polymer microsphere materials with significant economic value.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new method for identifying genes relevant to the aging process in the C. elegans roundworm model. By exposing thousands of worms to random genetic mutations, they can pinpoint which genes are associated with protein aggregation and reduced lifespan.
The researchers developed an extreme wettability surface that enables controlled evaporation, directional bouncing, and transport of droplets on it. The surface can be used to study biochemistry, microfluidic systems, cell culture, and energy harvesting and utilization.
Scientists have developed a new method to store and retrieve digital data encoded in DNA molecules using enzymes. The approach enables complex calculations on DNA-encoded data without converting it back into electronic form.
A WVU biomedical engineer is working on a rapid diagnostic tool that can detect tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease via a blood sample on a single chip. The tool uses dielectrophoresis and machine-learning to detect diseases within one to two weeks after onset, reducing the risk of hospitalization and chronic conditions.
Researchers have developed a new approach to test the efficacy of multiple anticancer drug combinations simultaneously, rapidly, and accurately. Combi-seq overcomes limitations of conventional technologies by using microfluidics to carry out large-scale experiments with small sample volumes.
Researchers developed a novel 3D microfluidic device to study complicated processes within the placenta, including placental malaria. The model demonstrates that CSA-binding infected erythrocytes add resistance to the simulated placental barrier for glucose perfusion and decrease glucose transfer across this barrier.
A recent study found that sperm clustering in viscoelastic fluid offers three biological benefits: reduced direction changes, improved alignment, and increased safety from strong flows. This research may inform studies on infertility and provide better selection of sperm for assisted-reproduction technologies.
A team of scientists developed a chip that simulates the human lung's breathing pattern, allowing them to visualize and analyze the flow of air and particulates through the alveoli. They found distinct flow patterns for different generations of the bronchial network, shedding light on respiratory diseases such as emphysema and COPD.