Articles tagged with Microfluidics
Engineers at MIT and the University of Twente study water jet impacts on droplets to inform needle-free injection systems. They developed a model predicting fluid jet behavior in human skin, aiming to minimize damage.
Researchers at MIT have quantified the phenomenon for the first time, finding that boiling droplets on hot oily surfaces move rapidly due to a thin oil cloak coating the outside of each water droplet. This cloak acts as a kind of balloon skin, holding vapor bubbles in place and imparting momentum.
Scientists have developed a paramagnetic ring that encapsulates water droplets under a magnetic field, enabling precise manipulation. The ring, made of an oil-based ferrofluid, forms spontaneously around the droplet and can be moved remotely by changing the magnetic field.
Flinders University researchers have successfully manipulated Beta-lactoglobulin, a major whey protein in cow's, sheep's, and other mammal's milk, using an Australian-made thin film microfluidic device. The device combines with a new form of biosensor to control and monitor protein denaturation and renaturation.
Engineers at UC Riverside developed an air-powered computer memory that can be used to control soft robots. This innovation eliminates the need for electronic valves and computers, reducing size, cost, and power demands.
The researchers developed a filter that can freely switch between modes such as selective filtering and passing, expanding the usefulness of microfluidic devices. The magnetic material was used with a precise 3D printing technique to create the tiny turning filter, which can be remotely manipulated on demand.
Researchers at UIC have developed a novel continuous-flow microfluidic device that enables parallel-connected micromixers to screen polymorphs, morphology, and growth rates of L-histidine in eight different conditions. The device significantly reduces screening time by about 80% compared to conventional methods.
Scientists have developed a more efficient way to perform biological and chemical experiments using microfluidic chips, reducing collisions by 300% with strategically placed obstacles
The co-planar optoelectrowetting device allows for individualized and parallel droplet actuation, increasing microfluidic input/output system integration configurations while achieving faster droplet speeds. The open-top design enables easier access to droplets from above, improving the performance of the device.
A new microfluidics system automates the loading of cryoprotectants in IVF embryos before freezing them, reducing molecular damage caused by cryopreservation. This approach enables faster and more efficient embryo cryopreservation with lower concentrations of toxic chemicals.
The Herringbone Microfluidic Probe (HB-MFP) effectively isolates Circulating Tumor Cells from blood samples, providing insights into cancer metastasis. Researchers believe this technology has great promise for diagnosing and prognosticating prostate cancer using liquid biopsies.
Researchers create a microfluidic probe that generates free radicals with controlled size and concentration, allowing them to manipulate small areas on cellular surfaces. This approach enables the study of cell reactions to radicals in a controlled way, opening up new possibilities for subcellular research.
Researchers developed a low-cost 3D-printed microfluidic bioreactor for real-time observation of growing organoids. The device reduced cell death and improved tissue development, enabling seven-day observations of brain organoids.
Researchers developed a novel label-free DLD assay to profile host inflammatory responses, providing faster, more accurate assessments than existing methods. The new technology can rapidly identify patients with severe immune responses, enabling timely intervention and improving patient outcomes.
A new paradigm of liquid gating technology is presented, confining magnetic colloids in a porous matrix to probe mechanical properties in real-time. The system shows controllable fluid transport behavior, enabling applications such as dynamic and preprogrammed fluid transport, remote drug release, and microfluidic logic.
Researchers propose a potential solution to dendrite growth in rechargeable lithium metal batteries, proposing the use of microfluidics to reduce dendrite growth by up to 99%. This study aims to extend the life of these high-energy density batteries while improving safety.
Researchers developed an AI-powered imaging-based tool to estimate hemoglobin levels using a microfluidic chip and automated microscope. The system was validated with a high correlation coefficient of 0.99, meeting regulatory standards. This innovation could revolutionize medical diagnostics by reducing costs and laboratory footprint.
A new technology developed by the University of Bristol has created a fast, reliable and cost-effective alternative for producing microfluidic devices. This breakthrough promises to democratize microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology, benefiting resource-poor countries and settings.
Researchers developed a low-cost, portable microscopy system using transparent microspheres and affordable objective lenses to detect pathogens in water sources. The assembly can be customized for various applications, including on-site antibiotic testing.
Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University, Harvard University, and Guangzhou University investigated viscoelastic flow mixing in microfluidics. They found that viscoelastic fluids exhibit transiently unstable flow patterns compared to Newtonian fluids, resulting in increased mixing.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a high-throughput cell separation method using droplet microfluidics to study host-pathogen interactions. The system successfully isolates pathogens attached to host cells from those that are unattached, simplifying the study of novel pathogens and environmental microbiology applications.
Researchers used microfluidic devices to study the interaction between viruses and cell membranes, revealing high-resolution understanding of electric shifts happening at the surface. The technique showed that glycine can interrupt capsid formation for replicated viruses within the cell.
Scientists at the Swiss Nanoscience Institute create miniature polymeric reaction containers, mimicking cellular compartments to study enzymatic reactions. The 'cell on a chip' technology provides precise control over enzyme combinations and transport, facilitating research into metabolic diseases and drug reactions.
The study demonstrates the creation of microfluidic channels at the micron scale using 3D printing, which could automate production of diagnostics, sensors, and assays. The researchers also integrated these devices with electronic sensors for lab-on-a-chip sensing capabilities.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, miniaturized biochip that uses machine learning and microfluidics technology to analyze cancer cells at the single-cell level. The device enables precise characterization of various cancer types and study cellular heterogeneity, potentially improving cancer treatment drugs.
The October issue of SLAS Technology features a cover article on the role of digital microfluidics in enabling access to laboratory automation and making biology programmable. The article discusses the challenges faced by scientists, including costs and late-stage risk, and explores how digital microfluidics can overcome these challenges.
Researchers develop 'PhenoChip' to select and propagate single photosynthetically active cells, enabling fundamental industry applications and improved ecosystem understanding. The technology helps identify resilient cells in natural environments, such as coral reef health, and can aid in mitigating climate change impacts.
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a multiplex genetic diagnostic device for early detection and prevention of crop diseases. The device uses loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to diagnose multiple plant viral diseases simultaneously within 1 hour.
A new surfactant-free method produces up to 100 microcapsules per second, ideal for pharmaceutical or skin care applications. The technique involves creating tiny channels and injecting immiscible liquids, which are then polymerized and solidified to trap the liquid core.
Researchers created a fast, precise and scalable method for individual nano- and submicron scale manipulation in acoustic fields using megahertz frequencies. The technology isolates submicron particles, enabling sorting, patterning and size-selective capture of nanoscale objects.
Red blood cells deform and recover when passing through tiny channels, revealing a possible new method to diagnose diseases such as malaria. The researchers found that the shape recovery behavior depends on flow speed, viscosity, and elastic properties of the cell's outer membrane.
The research team developed an intelligent microsystem employing machine learning and automation to reduce chemical waste by two orders of magnitude and catalytic discovery from weeks to hours. By screening catalysts and polymers faster, the method could lead to more efficient design and environmentally benign plastics.
A new microfluidic chip developed by researchers can quickly identify small differences in sperm chemotactic behavior, providing a more complete picture of male fertility. The device uses a concentration gradient of progesterone to guide sperm towards the egg, offering a pump-free alternative to existing tests.
Researchers from SUTD develop a modularization approach to print microfluidic channels with greater intricacy and smaller channel dimensions. They demonstrate the efficacy of their approach by showing a substantial improvement in channel dimensions compared to conventional methods.
A SUTD research team developed a novel N-shaped electrode design for measuring single cells' lateral positions and biophysical properties in a microdevice. This approach uses differential current to encode particles' trajectories, eliminating expensive imaging setups.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed a way to program built-in controls in microfluidic networks, enabling the creation of miniaturized chemical laboratories on a chip. This technology has potential applications in point-of-care diagnostics, field research, and even space exploration.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a novel tool called the Micro-Electro-Fluidic Probe (MeFP) that can selectively separate and pattern mammalian cells in an open microfluidic system. The device demonstrates high isolation efficiency, separation purity, and fast pattern deposition rates.
The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has chosen 53 life sciences students from 12 countries to receive the SLAS Tony B. Academic Travel Award. The award winners will present their research at the SLAS 2020 International Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, CA, USA.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new way to pre-program microfluidic devices, allowing for smart, autonomous behavior without external components. This breakthrough could enable the creation of portable, wearable technologies for applications in medicine, energy, and space exploration.
Chinese scientists developed a new material that enables the creation of flexible, wearable supercapacitors with high energy density. The electrodes are made from a hybrid material synthesized from two carbon nanomaterials and a metal-organic framework, which provides a balance of porosity, conductivity, and electrochemical activity.
A rapid microfluidic test can diagnose Lyme disease with similar performance to the standard 2-tiered approach in a much shorter time. The test uses a combination of three proteins to identify antibodies specific to the B. burgdorferi bacterium in the serum.
Researchers developed a two-layer microchip that enables long-term tracking of stem cell development, overcoming technical challenges. The device allows for high-resolution imaging and manipulation of stem cells, enabling better control and understanding of differentiation processes.
Researchers used microchips to test titanium dioxide, a common sunscreen ingredient, which is found nontoxic but offers protection against UV damage to skin cells. Microfluidic devices simplify nanoparticle analysis, reducing cost and time.
A tiny lab-on-a-chip can screen hundreds of drug compounds in just a few hours, revealing their effect on blood and quickly identifying those with potential clinical use. The technology accelerates the discovery and development of new anti-clotting therapies, potentially improving heart attack and stroke prevention.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a simple pressure pump made from balloons and nylon stockings that can be used to test water contaminants and blood samples. The low-cost device has been tested in various experiments, including detecting aquatic parasites and cancer cells.
Tiny devices based on microfluidics can analyze bodily fluids to detect early signs of cancer, enabling widespread screening. They also help develop personalized treatments by predicting patient responses to drug candidates.
A research team devised a novel mechanism to transport droplets at record-high velocity and distance without extra energy input. The new strategy uses surface charge density manipulation to achieve unidirectional and self-propelled liquid droplet transportation on diverse substrates.
A team of researchers from the American Institute of Physics recommends improving microfluidics education and outreach efforts. They provide methods and suggestions for teachers and scientists to better communicate significant advances within the field to students and public audiences.
Researchers at Harvard University have invented a soft ring oscillator that enables soft robots to roll, undulate, sort and swallow. The invention uses pressurized air to create movement, allowing the robots to perform complex movements without electronic components.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to capture circulating cancer cell clusters, providing a new tool for studying metastasis and developing anti-metastatic drug therapies. The device's design enables the collection of viable human cancer cell clusters from patient blood samples, offering a novel approach to combatting cancer.
Under confined conditions, bubbles can form spheres as perfectly matched as droplets. The new findings have implications for biomedical research and understanding natural gas interactions with petroleum.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design have discovered a method to achieve self-assembly of low-density droplets in microfluidic flows using three-dimensional microchannels. The study shows that by introducing a gradual increase in height, droplets can accumulate and assemble into ordered structures.
Researchers at IBS report discovering spontaneous oscillations in microfluidic droplet networks, similar to our blood capillaries. Adding irregularities to the network relieves blood traffic cloggings, suggesting cell collisions or diameter variations help avoid dangerous oscillations.
Researchers at Polytechnique Montréal developed an open-space microfluidics technology that eliminates channels, reducing stress on cells and increasing compatibility with cell-culture standards. The system uses microfluidic multipoles to create patterns that can be used for disease detection and diagnosis.
A team of NJIT researchers has created a novel electrochemical biosensing device that can identify tiny signals of biomarkers emitted by diseases, such as cancer and malaria. The device uses gold nanoparticles to enhance signal response and separates plasma from blood to achieve high accuracy.
Researchers have created a soft computer using only rubber and air, emulating the thought process of an electronic computer. The soft computer mimics digital logic gates and achieves complex operations with pneumatic signals, enabling faster and more energy-efficient robots.
Brown University researchers create modular hydrogel components that can bend, twist, or stick together in response to treatment with certain chemicals. The components are designed for various
Researchers developed a laser-driven photoacoustic microfluidic pump that moves fluids in any direction without mechanical parts or electrical contacts. The device uses a plasmonic quartz plate implanted with gold atoms to generate an ultrasonic wave, driving the fluid via acoustic streaming.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device that can isolate individual cancer cells from patient blood samples using size separation. The device has high efficiency and reliability, with recovery rates of up to 93% for small-cell-lung cancer cells.
Scientists at KIT integrate a microfluidic chamber into a 3D laser lithography device to produce multi-colored, fluorescent security features from seven different materials. The system enables precise production of three-dimensional microstructured security features for applications such as banknote and document counterfeiting.