Micromachines

2951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Automated Microfluidic System for the Generation of Droplet Interface Bilayer Networks

by Magdalena A. Czekalska, Tomasz S. Kaminski, Michal Horka, Slawomir Jakiela and Piotr Garstecki

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030093 - 21 Mar 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5980

Networks of droplets, in which aqueous compartments are separated by lipid bilayers, have shown great potential as a model for biological transmembrane communication. We present a microfluidic system which allows for on-demand generation of droplets that are hydrodynamically locked in a trapping structure. [...] Read more.

Networks of droplets, in which aqueous compartments are separated by lipid bilayers, have shown great potential as a model for biological transmembrane communication. We present a microfluidic system which allows for on-demand generation of droplets that are hydrodynamically locked in a trapping structure. As a result, the system enables the formation of a network of four droplets connected via lipid bilayers and the positions of each droplet in the network can be controlled thanks to automation of microfluidic operations. We perform electrophysiological measurements of ionic currents indicating interactions between nanopores and small molecules to prove the potential of the device in screening of the inhibitors acting on membrane proteins. We also demonstrate, for the first time, a microfluidic droplet interface bilayer (DIB) system in which the testing of inhibitors can be performed without direct contact between the tested sample and the electrodes recording picoampere currents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Droplet Microfluidics: Techniques and Technologies, Volume II)

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Graphical abstract

7303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Theoretical and Experimental Study on Vibration Propagation in PMMA Components in Ultrasonic Bonding Process

by Yibo Sun, Feng Wang and Xinhua Yang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030092 - 20 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4179

Abstract

Ultrasonic bonding has an increasing application in the micro assembly of polymeric micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) with high requirements for fusion precision. In the ultrasonic bonding process, the propagation of ultrasonic vibration in polymer components is related to the interfacial fusion, which can [...] Read more.

Ultrasonic bonding has an increasing application in the micro assembly of polymeric micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) with high requirements for fusion precision. In the ultrasonic bonding process, the propagation of ultrasonic vibration in polymer components is related to the interfacial fusion, which can be used as a monitoring parameter to control ultrasonic energy. To study the vibration propagation in viscoelastic polymer components, finite element analysis on the bonding of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) micro connector to substrate for microfluidic system is carried out. Curves of propagated vibration amplitude corresponding to interfacial temperatures are obtained. The ultrasonic vibration propagated in PMMA components are measured through experiments. The theoretical and experimental results are contrasted to analyze the change mechanism of vibration propagation related to temperature. Based on the ultrasonic bonding process controlled by the feedback of vibration propagation, interfacial fusions at different vibration propagation states are obtained through experiments. Interfacial fusion behavior is contrasted to the propagated vibration amplitude in theoretical and experimental studies. The relation between vibration propagation and fusion degree is established with the proper parameter range for the obtained high quality bonding. Full article

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5445 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Adhesive Resistance of Aluminum Alloy by Sandblasting and Electrochemical Machining

by Jianbing Meng, Xiaojuan Dong, Haian Zhou, Weihong Liu and Zhanmin Yin

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030091 - 17 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5877

Abstract

A novel method for fabricating an adhesive resistance surface is presented. Sandblasting and electrochemical machining were introduced to prepare micro-nano structures on the sample surface. Then, the prepared sample was immersed in a tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane ethanol solvent. The surface of the aluminum alloy sample [...] Read more.

A novel method for fabricating an adhesive resistance surface is presented. Sandblasting and electrochemical machining were introduced to prepare micro-nano structures on the sample surface. Then, the prepared sample was immersed in a tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane ethanol solvent. The surface of the aluminum alloy sample roughened and covered with low-surface-energy chemical groups was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). Surface wettability and adhesive resistance of the treated sample were characterized by water contact angles, area fraction, sliding angle and solid surface energy. Furthermore, the effects of some process parameters, such as sand size, current density, electrochemical machining time, and electrolyte concentration, on the contact angle, area fraction, sliding angle and the solid surface-energy of the modified sample surfaces were provided. The results show that the combination of binary micro-structures and surface modification of tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane plays a role to improve adhesive resistance of the aluminum alloy surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microtribology, Adhesion and Surface Engineering)

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10519 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Tip-Based Nanofabrication for Scalable Manufacturing

by Huan Hu, Hoe Joon Kim and Suhas Somnath

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030090 - 16 Mar 2017

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 12440

Abstract

Tip-based nanofabrication (TBN) is a family of emerging nanofabrication techniques that use a nanometer scale tip to fabricate nanostructures. In this review, we first introduce the history of the TBN and the technology development. We then briefly review various TBN techniques that use [...] Read more.

Tip-based nanofabrication (TBN) is a family of emerging nanofabrication techniques that use a nanometer scale tip to fabricate nanostructures. In this review, we first introduce the history of the TBN and the technology development. We then briefly review various TBN techniques that use different physical or chemical mechanisms to fabricate features and discuss some of the state-of-the-art techniques. Subsequently, we focus on those TBN methods that have demonstrated potential to scale up the manufacturing throughput. Finally, we discuss several research directions that are essential for making TBN a scalable nano-manufacturing technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scalable Micro/Nano Patterning)

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3005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of the Human Osteosarcoma Cell at Different Cell Cycle Stages †

by Guocheng Zhang, Na Fan, Xiaoying Lv, Yiyao Liu, Jian Guo, Longxiang Yang, Bei Peng and Hai Jiang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030089 - 15 Mar 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5110

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a single cell play substantial roles in cell mitosis, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. According to the difference of elastic modulus between the benign cell and the tumor cell, it has been shown that the mechanical properties of cells, as special [...] Read more.

The mechanical properties of a single cell play substantial roles in cell mitosis, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. According to the difference of elastic modulus between the benign cell and the tumor cell, it has been shown that the mechanical properties of cells, as special biomarkers, may contribute greatly to disease diagnosis and drug screening. However, the mechanical properties of cells at different cell cycle stages are still not clear, which may mislead us when we use them as biomarkers. In this paper, the target regions of the human osteosarcoma cell were precisely scanned without causing any cell damage by using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) for the first time. Then, the elasticity properties of the human osteosarcoma cells were investigated quantitatively at various regions and cell cycle stages. The 32 × 32 resolution map of the elasticity showed that the elastic modulus of the cells at the interphase was larger than that at the telophase of mitosis. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the cell in the peripheral region was larger than that in the nuclear region of the cell. This work provides an accurate approach to measure the elasticity properties of cells at different stages of the cell cycle for further application in the disease diagnosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2016 International Conference of Microfluidics, Nanofluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip)

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5465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Size-Adjustable Microdroplets Generation Based on Microinjection

by Shibao Li, Deyin Zheng, Na Li, Xuefeng Wang, Yaowei Liu, Mingzhu Sun and Xin Zhao

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030088 - 12 Mar 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4968

Abstract

Microinjection is a promising tool for microdroplet generation, while the microinjection for microdroplets generation still remains a challenging issue due to the Laplace pressure at the micropipette opening. Here, we apply a simple and robust substrate-contacting microinjection method to microdroplet generation, presenting a [...] Read more.

Microinjection is a promising tool for microdroplet generation, while the microinjection for microdroplets generation still remains a challenging issue due to the Laplace pressure at the micropipette opening. Here, we apply a simple and robust substrate-contacting microinjection method to microdroplet generation, presenting a size-adjustable microdroplets generation method based on a critical injection (CI) model. Firstly, the micropipette is adjusted to a preset injection pressure. Secondly, the micropipette is moved down to contact the substrate, then, the Laplace pressure in the droplet is no longer relevant and the liquid flows out in time. The liquid constantly flows out until the micropipette is lifted, ending the substrate-contacting situation, which results in the recovery of the Laplace pressure at the micropipette opening, and the liquid injection is terminated. We carry out five groups of experiments whereupon 1600 images are captured within each group and the microdroplet radius of each image is detected. Then we determine the relationship among microdroplet radius, radius at the micropipette opening, time, and pressure, and, two more experiments are conducted to verify the relationship. To verify the effectiveness of the substrate-contacting method and the relationship, we conducted two experiments with six desired microdroplet radii are set in each experiment, by adjusting the injection time with a given pressure, and adjusting the injection pressure with a given time. Then, six arrays of microdroplets are obtained in each experiment. The results of the experiments show that the standard errors of the microdroplet radii are less than 2% and the experimental errors fall in the range of ±5%. The average operating speed is 20 microdroplets/min and the minimum radius of the microdroplets is 25 μm. This method has a simple experimental setup that enables easy manipulation and lower cost. Full article

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8768 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Single Cell Impedance Cytometry for Biomedical Applications

by Chayakorn Petchakup, King Ho Holden Li and Han Wei Hou

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030087 - 12 Mar 2017

Cited by 88 | Viewed by 10392

Abstract

Microfluidics impedance cytometry is an emerging research tool for high throughput analysis of dielectric properties of cells and internal cellular components. This label-free method can be used in different biological assays including particle sizing and enumeration, cell phenotyping and disease diagnostics. Herein, we [...] Read more.

Microfluidics impedance cytometry is an emerging research tool for high throughput analysis of dielectric properties of cells and internal cellular components. This label-free method can be used in different biological assays including particle sizing and enumeration, cell phenotyping and disease diagnostics. Herein, we review recent developments in single cell impedance cytometer platforms, their biomedical and clinical applications, and discuss the future directions and challenges in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights and Advancements in Microfluidics)

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8114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Polypyrrole/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified Au Microelectrode for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Trace Levels of Pb²⁺

by Xuxing Zhu, Jianhua Tong, Chao Bian, Chengyao Gao and Shanhong Xia

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030086 - 11 Mar 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5875

Abstract

The sensitive detection of trace levels of heavy metal ions such as Pb²⁺ is of significant importance due to the health hazard they pose. In this paper, we present a polypyrrole (PPy)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified Au microelectrode. The PPy/MWCNT composite film was [...] Read more.

The sensitive detection of trace levels of heavy metal ions such as Pb²⁺ is of significant importance due to the health hazard they pose. In this paper, we present a polypyrrole (PPy)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified Au microelectrode. The PPy/MWCNT composite film was electrochemically deposited on the microelectrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The composite film was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), CV, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the results show that this film presents a uniformly distributed and web-like entangled structure and good conductivity. Differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) was applied to determine trace levels of Pb²⁺. Experimental conditions including accumulation time and deposition potential were optimized. In optimal conditions, the PPy/MWCNT-modified microelectrode performed sensitive detection of Pb²⁺ within a concentration range from 1 to 100 μg·L⁻¹, and the limit of detection was 0.65 μg·L⁻¹ at the signal-to-noise ratio of three. Full article

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2422 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Enhanced Axial Resolution of Wide-Field Two-Photon Excitation Microscopy by Line Scanning Using a Digital Micromirror Device

by Jong Kang Park, Christopher J. Rowlands and Peter T. C. So

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030085 - 9 Mar 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7271

Abstract

Temporal focusing multiphoton microscopy is a technique for performing highly parallelized multiphoton microscopy while still maintaining depth discrimination. While the conventional wide-field configuration for temporal focusing suffers from sub-optimal axial resolution, line scanning temporal focusing, implemented here using a digital micromirror device (DMD), [...] Read more.

Temporal focusing multiphoton microscopy is a technique for performing highly parallelized multiphoton microscopy while still maintaining depth discrimination. While the conventional wide-field configuration for temporal focusing suffers from sub-optimal axial resolution, line scanning temporal focusing, implemented here using a digital micromirror device (DMD), can provide substantial improvement. The DMD-based line scanning temporal focusing technique dynamically trades off the degree of parallelization, and hence imaging speed, for axial resolution, allowing performance parameters to be adapted to the experimental requirements. We demonstrate this new instrument in calibration specimens and in biological specimens, including a mouse kidney slice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MEMS/NEMS for Biomedical Imaging and Sensing)

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2082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interface Friction of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Investigated Using Molecular Dynamics †

by Cheng-Da Wu, Te-Hua Fang and Fu-Yung Tung

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030084 - 9 Mar 2017

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5255

Abstract

The interface friction characteristics of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are studied using molecular dynamics simulations based on the Tersoff potential. The effects of the DWCNT type, outer shell diameter, and temperature are evaluated. The simulation results show that when an inner shell is [...] Read more.

The interface friction characteristics of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) are studied using molecular dynamics simulations based on the Tersoff potential. The effects of the DWCNT type, outer shell diameter, and temperature are evaluated. The simulation results show that when an inner shell is being pulled out from a DWCNT, the friction force and normal force between shells increase with increasing the outer shell diameter. The noise of the friction force significantly increases with the increasing temperature. Zigzag@zigzag and armchair@armchair DWCNTs exhibit larger friction forces and smaller normal forces compared to those of chiral@chiral DWCNTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Advanced Nanomaterials on Microelectronic Devices and MEMS)

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15397 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Macroscale and Microscale Cell Lysis Methods

by Mohammed Shehadul Islam, Aditya Aryasomayajula and Ponnambalam Ravi Selvaganapathy

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030083 - 8 Mar 2017

Cited by 318 | Viewed by 65869

Abstract

The lysis of cells in order to extract the nucleic acids or proteins inside it is a crucial unit operation in biomolecular analysis. This paper presents a critical evaluation of the various methods that are available both in the macro and micro scale [...] Read more.

The lysis of cells in order to extract the nucleic acids or proteins inside it is a crucial unit operation in biomolecular analysis. This paper presents a critical evaluation of the various methods that are available both in the macro and micro scale for cell lysis. Various types of cells, the structure of their membranes are discussed initially. Then, various methods that are currently used to lyse cells in the macroscale are discussed and compared. Subsequently, popular methods for micro scale cell lysis and different microfluidic devices used are detailed with their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, a comparison of different techniques used in microfluidics platform has been presented which will be helpful to select method for a particular application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microdevices and Microsystems for Cell Manipulation)

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7861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Fabrication of a Slanted-Beam MEMS Accelerometer

by Wei Xu, Jie Yang, Guofen Xie, Bin Wang, Mingshan Qu, Xuguang Wang, Xianxue Liu and Bin Tang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030077 - 7 Mar 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 8080

Abstract

This paper presents a novel capacitive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer with slanted supporting beams and all-silicon sandwich structure. Its sensing mechanism is quite similar to an ordinary sandwich-type MEMS accelerometer, except that its proof mass is suspended by a beam parallel to the [...] Read more.

This paper presents a novel capacitive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer with slanted supporting beams and all-silicon sandwich structure. Its sensing mechanism is quite similar to an ordinary sandwich-type MEMS accelerometer, except that its proof mass is suspended by a beam parallel to the {111} plane of a (100) silicon wafer. In this way, each sensing element can detect accelerations in two orthogonal directions. Four of these sensing elements could work together and constitute a 3-axis micro-accelerometer by using a simple planar assembly process. This design avoids the traditional 3-axis accelerometer’ disadvantage of possible placement inaccuracy when assembling on three different planes and largely reduces the package volume. The slanted-beam accelerometer’s performance was modeled and analyzed by using both analytical calculations and finite element method (FEM) simulations. A prototype of one sensing element was fabricated and tested. Measured results show that this accelerometer has a good bias stability 76.8 ppm (1σ, tested immediately after power on), two directional sensitivities (sensitivity angle α = 45.4°) and low nonlinearity (<0.5%) over a sensing range up to ±50 g, which demonstrates a great opportunity for future high-precision three-axis inertial measurement. Full article

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2922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Analysis of a New High Precision Decoupled XY Compact Parallel Micromanipulator

by Xigang Chen and Yangmin Li

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030082 - 6 Mar 2017

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5202

Abstract

With the development of nanotechnology that contains automatic control, precision machinery and precise measurement, etc., micro/nano manipulation has become a new research direction in recent years. This paper presents the design and analysis procedures of a new high precision XY decoupled compact parallel [...] Read more.

With the development of nanotechnology that contains automatic control, precision machinery and precise measurement, etc., micro/nano manipulation has become a new research direction in recent years. This paper presents the design and analysis procedures of a new high precision XY decoupled compact parallel micromanipulator (DCPM) for micro scale positioning applications. The DCPM is made up of the decoupler, two-stage amplifier and the piezoelectric translator (PZT) actuators, which utilizes the characteristics of flexure hinges. In this paper, firstly, a new two-stage bridge-principle amplifier is proposed by a serial connection of two fundamental bridge amplifiers in order to increase the ratio of amplification. It is pivotal for designing the micromanipulator. Then, the kinematic modeling of the micromanipulator is carried out by resorting to stiffness and compliance analysis via matrix method. Finally, the performance of the micromanipulator is validated by finite-element analysis (FEA) which is preliminary job for fabricating the prototype and designing the control system of the XY stage that is expected to be adopted into micro/nano manipulations. Full article

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5330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of the Effect of Process Variations on a Micromachined Doubly-Clamped Beam

by Lili Gao, Zai-Fa Zhou and Qing-An Huang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030081 - 5 Mar 2017

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5217

Abstract

In the fabrication of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, manufacturing process variations are usually involved. For these devices sensitive to process variations such as doubly-clamped beams, mismatches between designs and final products will exist. As a result, it underlies yield problems and will be [...] Read more.

In the fabrication of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, manufacturing process variations are usually involved. For these devices sensitive to process variations such as doubly-clamped beams, mismatches between designs and final products will exist. As a result, it underlies yield problems and will be determined by design parameter ranges and distribution functions. Topographical changes constitute process variations, such as inclination, over-etching, and undulating sidewalls in the Bosch process. In this paper, analytical models are first developed for MEMS doubly-clamped beams, concerning the mentioned geometrical variations. Then, finite-element (FE) analysis is performed to provide a guidance for model verifications. It is found that results predicted by the models agree with those of FE analysis. Assigning process variations, predictions for performance as well as yield can be made directly from the analytical models, by means of probabilistic analysis. In this paper, the footing effect is found to have a more profound effect on the resonant frequency of doubly-clamped beams during the Bosch process. As the confining process has a variation of 10.0%, the yield will have a reduction of 77.3% consequently. Under these circumstances, the prediction approaches can be utilized to guide the further MEMS device designs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano Manufacturing)

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16452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transfer Function of Macro-Micro Manipulation on a PDMS Microfluidic Chip

by Koji Mizoue, Kaoru Teramura, Chia-Hung Dylan Tsai and Makoto Kaneko

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030080 - 4 Mar 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5432

Abstract

To achieve fast and accurate cell manipulation in a microfluidic channel, it is essential to know the true nature of its input-output relationship. This paper aims to reveal the transfer function of such a micro manipulation controlled by a macro actuator. Both a [...] Read more.

To achieve fast and accurate cell manipulation in a microfluidic channel, it is essential to know the true nature of its input-output relationship. This paper aims to reveal the transfer function of such a micro manipulation controlled by a macro actuator. Both a theoretical model and experimental results for the manipulation are presented. A second-order transfer function is derived based on the proposed model, where the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deformation plays an important role in the manipulation. Experiments are conducted with input frequencies up to 300 Hz. An interesting observation from the experimental results is that the frequency responses of the transfer function behave just like a first-order integration operator in the system. The role of PDMS deformation for the transfer function is discussed based on the experimentally-determined parameters and the proposed model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Microfluidic Devices)

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2502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Optimization of a Microfluidic CTC Filtering Chip by Simulation

by Huan Li, Jianfeng Chen, Wenqiang Du, Youjun Xia, Depei Wang, Gang Zhao and Jiaru Chu

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030079 - 4 Mar 2017

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5864

Abstract

The detection and separation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial in early cancer diagnosis and cancer prognosis. Filtration through a thin film is one of the size and deformability based separation methods, which can isolate rare CTCs from the peripheral blood of [...] Read more.

The detection and separation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial in early cancer diagnosis and cancer prognosis. Filtration through a thin film is one of the size and deformability based separation methods, which can isolate rare CTCs from the peripheral blood of cancer patients regardless of their heterogeneity. In this paper, volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase flow models are employed to clarify the cells’ filtering processes. The cells may deform significantly when they enter a channel constriction, which will induce cell membrane stress and damage if the area strain is larger than the critical value. Therefore, the cellular damage criterion characterized by membrane area strain is presented in our model, i.e., the lysis limit of the lipid bilayer is taken as the critical area strain. Under this criterion, we discover that the microfilters with slit-shaped pores do less damage to cells than those with circular pores. The influence of contact angle between the microfilters and blood cells on cellular injury is also discussed. Moreover, the optimal film thickness and flux in our simulations are obtained as 0.5 μm and 0.375 mm/s, respectively. These findings will provide constructive guidance for the improvement of next generation microfilters with higher throughput and less cellular damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Microfluidic Devices)

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1904 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fast-Response Electrostatic Actuator Based on Nano-Gap

by Edward Kostsov and Alexei Sokolov

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030078 - 3 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4739

Abstract

The possibility of constructing new high-performance electrostatic fast actuators based on energy transformation in nanometer gaps is considered. The construction and the properties of the operation of such devices as well as their typical parameters are described. The drives are based on ferroelectrics [...] Read more.

The possibility of constructing new high-performance electrostatic fast actuators based on energy transformation in nanometer gaps is considered. The construction and the properties of the operation of such devices as well as their typical parameters are described. The drives are based on ferroelectrics with high values of dielectric permittivity (above 1000). They can be constructed using microelectronic technology. It is demonstrated that the actuators are capable of maintaining forces with a specific density up to 10⁶ N/m² and up to 100–1000 N in real devices for 10–100 µs. Experimental research results of such actuators are presented. Full article

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688 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electrode Materials in Microfluidic Systems for the Processing and Separation of DNA: A Mini Review

by Christopher Birch and James P. Landers

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030076 - 3 Mar 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6663

Abstract

Since the advent of genetic analysis, electrode materials have played an irreplaceable role due to the easily-exploitable negatively-charged backbone of the DNA structure. Initially, the employment of electrophoretic movement lay only in the separation of DNA fragments of differing length; however, the widening [...] Read more.

Since the advent of genetic analysis, electrode materials have played an irreplaceable role due to the easily-exploitable negatively-charged backbone of the DNA structure. Initially, the employment of electrophoretic movement lay only in the separation of DNA fragments of differing length; however, the widening utility of electrokinetic phenomena at the microscale in areas such as fluid transportation and multistep integration led researchers to capitalize further when translating processes to microfluidic or “lab-on-chip” devices. Over the following three decades, the field witnessed a plethora of ways in which the necessary voltages could be transmitted to the sample and reagents with many successes; however, additional demands were then placed on those hoping to bring their microdevices to the market place. A greater emphasis on the cost of all constituent parts along with the increased importance that fluidics be contained hermetically at all times meant groups would become more imaginative when incorporating electrode materials. This review will aim to exactly describe the evolution of how those materials have been employed in DNA-based microfluidic devices. It will focus on how developers began to explore other emerging uses and also discuss how their tactics reflected the progressive demands of their chosen industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Microfluidic Methodology for the Analysis of DNA)

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Open AccessReview

Microfluidic Production of Multiple Emulsions

by Goran T. Vladisavljević, Ruqaya Al Nuumani and Seyed Ali Nabavi

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030075 - 2 Mar 2017

Cited by 129 | Viewed by 19515

Abstract

Microfluidic devices are promising tools for the production of monodispersed tuneable complex emulsions. This review highlights the advantages of microfluidics for the fabrication of emulsions and presents an overview of the microfluidic emulsification methods including two-step and single-step methods for the fabrication of [...] Read more.

Microfluidic devices are promising tools for the production of monodispersed tuneable complex emulsions. This review highlights the advantages of microfluidics for the fabrication of emulsions and presents an overview of the microfluidic emulsification methods including two-step and single-step methods for the fabrication of high-order multiple emulsions (double, triple, quadruple and quintuple) and emulsions with multiple and/or multi-distinct inner cores. The microfluidic methods for the formation of multiple emulsion drops with ultra-thin middle phase, multi-compartment jets, and Janus and ternary drops composed of two or three distinct surface regions are also presented. Different configurations of microfluidic drop makers are covered, such as co-flow, T-junctions and flow focusing (both planar and three-dimensional (3D)). Furthermore, surface modifications of microfluidic channels and different modes of droplet generation are summarized. Non-confined microfluidic geometries used for buoyancy-driven drop generation and membrane integrated microfluidics are also discussed. The review includes parallelization and drop splitting strategies for scaling up microfluidic emulsification. The productivity of a single drop maker is typically <1 mL/h; thus, more than 1000 drop makers are needed to achieve commercially relevant droplet throughputs of >1 L/h, which requires combining drop makers into twodimensional (2D) and 3D assemblies fed from a single set of inlet ports through a network of distribution and collection channels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Droplet Microfluidics: Techniques and Technologies, Volume II)

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8083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FPGA-Based HD Camera System for the Micropositioning of Biomedical Micro-Objects Using a Contactless Micro-Conveyor

by Elmar Yusifli, Reda Yahiaoui, Saeed Mian Qaisar, Mahmoud Addouche, Basil Al-Mahdawi, Hicham Bourouina, Guillaume Herlem and Tijani Gharbi

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030074 - 2 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7412

Abstract

With recent advancements, micro-object contactless conveyers are becoming an essential part of the biomedical sector. They help avoid any infection and damage that can occur due to external contact. In this context, a smart micro-conveyor is devised. It is a Field Programmable Gate [...] Read more.

With recent advancements, micro-object contactless conveyers are becoming an essential part of the biomedical sector. They help avoid any infection and damage that can occur due to external contact. In this context, a smart micro-conveyor is devised. It is a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based system that employs a smart surface for conveyance along with an OmniVision complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) HD camera for micro-object position detection and tracking. A specific FPGA-based hardware design and VHSIC (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit) Hardware Description Language (VHDL) implementation are realized. It is done without employing any Nios processor or System on a Programmable Chip (SOPC) builder based Central Processing Unit (CPU) core. It keeps the system efficient in terms of resource utilization and power consumption. The micro-object positioning status is captured with an embedded FPGA-based camera driver and it is communicated to the Image Processing, Decision Making and Command (IPDC) module. The IPDC is programmed in C++ and can run on a Personal Computer (PC) or on any appropriate embedded system. The IPDC decisions are sent back to the FPGA, which pilots the smart surface accordingly. In this way, an automated closed-loop system is employed to convey the micro-object towards a desired location. The devised system architecture and implementation principle is described. Its functionality is also verified. Results have confirmed the proper functionality of the developed system, along with its outperformance compared to other solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Microdevices and Micromachines)

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5228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Fluid Deformable Mirror with a Two-Layer Layout of Actuators †

by Zhizheng Wu, Xianghui Kong, Zhu Zhang, Junqiu Wu, Tao Wang and Mei Liu

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030072 - 2 Mar 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6113

Abstract

In this paper, a new type of magnetic fluid deformable mirror (MFDM) with a two-layer layout of actuators is proposed to improve the correction performance for full-order aberrations with a high spatial resolution. The shape of the magnetic fluid surface is controlled by [...] Read more.

In this paper, a new type of magnetic fluid deformable mirror (MFDM) with a two-layer layout of actuators is proposed to improve the correction performance for full-order aberrations with a high spatial resolution. The shape of the magnetic fluid surface is controlled by the combined magnetic field generated by the Maxwell coil and the two-layer array of miniature coils. The upper-layer actuators which have a small size and high density are used to compensate for small-amplitude high-order aberrations and the lower-layer actuators which have a big size and low density are used to correct large-amplitude low-order aberrations. The analytical model of this deformable mirror is established and the aberration correction performance is verified by the experimental results. As a new kind of wavefront corrector, the MFDM has major advantages such as large stroke, low cost, and easy scalability and fabrication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optofluidics 2016)

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7127 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

High-Throughput Particle Manipulation Based on Hydrodynamic Effects in Microchannels

by Chao Liu and Guoqing Hu

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030073 - 1 Mar 2017

Cited by 58 | Viewed by 9720

Abstract

Microfluidic techniques are effective tools for precise manipulation of particles and cells, whose enrichment and separation is crucial for a wide range of applications in biology, medicine, and chemistry. Recently, lateral particle migration induced by the intrinsic hydrodynamic effects in microchannels, such as [...] Read more.

Microfluidic techniques are effective tools for precise manipulation of particles and cells, whose enrichment and separation is crucial for a wide range of applications in biology, medicine, and chemistry. Recently, lateral particle migration induced by the intrinsic hydrodynamic effects in microchannels, such as inertia and elasticity, has shown its promise for high-throughput and label-free particle manipulation. The particle migration can be engineered to realize the controllable focusing and separation of particles based on a difference in size. The widespread use of inertial and viscoelastic microfluidics depends on the understanding of hydrodynamic effects on particle motion. This review will summarize the progress in the fundamental mechanisms and key applications of inertial and viscoelastic particle manipulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights and Advancements in Microfluidics)

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2236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paper-Based Microfluidic Device with a Gold Nanosensor to Detect Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in Bangladesh

by Mosfera A. Chowdury, Noosheen Walji, Md. Almostasim Mahmud and Brendan D. MacDonald

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030071 - 1 Mar 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 8365

Abstract

In this paper, we present a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) with a gold nanosensor functionalized with α-lipoic acid and thioguanine (Au–TA–TG) to detect whether the arsenic level of groundwater from hand tubewells in Bangladesh is above or below the World Health Organization [...] Read more.

In this paper, we present a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) with a gold nanosensor functionalized with α-lipoic acid and thioguanine (Au–TA–TG) to detect whether the arsenic level of groundwater from hand tubewells in Bangladesh is above or below the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline level of 10 μg/L. We analyzed the naturally occurring metals present in Bangladesh groundwater and assessed the interference with the gold nanosensor. A method was developed to prevent interference from alkaline metals found in Bangladesh groundwater (Ca, Mg, K and Na) by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. Most of the heavy metals present in the groundwater (Ni, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Fe II) did not interfere with the μPAD arsenic tests; however, Fe III was found to interfere, which was also prevented by increasing the pH level on the μPADs to 12.1. The μPAD arsenic tests were tested with 24 groundwater samples collected from hand tubewells in three different districts in Bangladesh: Shirajganj, Manikganj, and Munshiganj, and the predictions for whether the arsenic levels were above or below the WHO guideline level agreed with the results obtained from laboratory testing. The μPAD arsenic test is the first paper-based test validated using Bangladesh groundwater samples and capable of detecting whether the arsenic level in groundwater is above or below the WHO guideline level of 10 μg/L, which is a step towards enabling the villagers who collect and consume the groundwater to test their own sources and make decisions about where to obtain the safest water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Paper Microfluidics: Fundamental Studies and Applications)

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4544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Micro-Test Structure for the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Metal Materials

by Qingying Ren, Lifeng Wang and Qingan Huang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030070 - 28 Feb 2017

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5913

Abstract

An innovative micro-test structure for detecting the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of metal materials is presented in this work. Throughout this method, a whole temperature sensing moveable structures are supported by four groups of cascaded chevrons beams and packed together. Thermal expansion of [...] Read more.

An innovative micro-test structure for detecting the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of metal materials is presented in this work. Throughout this method, a whole temperature sensing moveable structures are supported by four groups of cascaded chevrons beams and packed together. Thermal expansion of the metal material causes the deflection of the cascaded chevrons, which leads to the capacitance variation. By detecting the capacitance value at different temperatures, the TEC value of the metal materials can be calculated. A finite element model has been established to verify the relationship between the TEC of the material and the displacement of the structure on horizontal and vertical directions, thus a function of temperature for different values of TEC can be deduced. In order to verify the analytical model, a suspended-capacitive micro-test structure has been fabricated by MetalMUMPs process and tested in a climate chamber. Test results show that in the temperature range from 30 °C to 80 °C, the TEC of the test material is 13.4 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ with a maximum relative error of 0.8% compared with the given curve of relationship between displacement and temperature. Full article

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9747 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanisms and Materials of Flexible and Stretchable Skin Sensors

by Yicong Zhao and Xian Huang

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030069 - 28 Feb 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 15580

Abstract

Wearable technology has attracted significant public attention and has generated huge societal and economic impact, leading to changes of both personal lifestyles and formats of healthcare. An important type of devices in wearable technology is flexible and stretchable skin sensors used primarily for [...] Read more.

Wearable technology has attracted significant public attention and has generated huge societal and economic impact, leading to changes of both personal lifestyles and formats of healthcare. An important type of devices in wearable technology is flexible and stretchable skin sensors used primarily for biophysiological signal sensing and biomolecule analysis on skin. These sensors offer mechanical compatibility to human skin and maximum compliance to skin morphology and motion, demonstrating great potential as promising alternatives to current wearable electronic devices based on rigid substrates and packages. The mechanisms behind the design and applications of these sensors are numerous, involving profound knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of the sensors and the skin. The corresponding materials are diverse, featuring thin elastic films and unique stretchable structures based on traditional hard or ductile materials. In addition, the fabrication techniques that range from complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication to innovative additive manufacturing have led to various sensor formats. This paper reviews mechanisms, materials, fabrication techniques, and representative applications of flexible and stretchable skin sensors, and provides perspective of future trends of the sensors in improving biomedical sensing, human machine interfacing, and quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flexible and Stretchable Electronics)

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2353 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Calibration of Strap-Down Tri-Axis Accelerometer Unit

by Xi Zhang, Jie Li, Li Qin and Chong Shen

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030068 - 27 Feb 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5314

Abstract

This paper proposes a comprehensive calibration method to improve the precision of a strap-down tri-axis accelerometer unit, in which parameters are divided into static and dynamic ones. The contribution of the manuscript is that it solves the problem of inappropriate installation and the [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a comprehensive calibration method to improve the precision of a strap-down tri-axis accelerometer unit, in which parameters are divided into static and dynamic ones. The contribution of the manuscript is that it solves the problem of inappropriate installation and the size effect error for tri-axis accelerometer unit at high speed by using static and dynamic calibration method, respectively. The experiment results show the measuring accuracy of accelerometers is increased by more than one order of magnitude, and the navigation precision is increased by more than two orders of magnitude. Full article

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5400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of All Glass Bifurcation Microfluidic Chip for Blood Plasma Separation

by Hyungjun Jang, Muhammad Refatul Haq, Jonghyun Ju, Youngkyu Kim, Seok-min Kim and Jiseok Lim

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030067 - 24 Feb 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7120

Abstract

An all-glass bifurcation microfluidic chip for blood plasma separation was fabricated by a cost-effective glass molding process using an amorphous carbon (AC) mold, which in turn was fabricated by the carbonization of a replicated furan precursor. To compensate for the shrinkage during AC [...] Read more.

An all-glass bifurcation microfluidic chip for blood plasma separation was fabricated by a cost-effective glass molding process using an amorphous carbon (AC) mold, which in turn was fabricated by the carbonization of a replicated furan precursor. To compensate for the shrinkage during AC mold fabrication, an enlarged photoresist pattern master was designed, and an AC mold with a dimensional error of 2.9% was achieved; the dimensional error of the master pattern was 1.6%. In the glass molding process, a glass microchannel plate with negligible shape errors (~1.5%) compared to AC mold was replicated. Finally, an all-glass bifurcation microfluidic chip was realized by micro drilling and thermal fusion bonding processes. A separation efficiency of 74% was obtained using the fabricated all-glass bifurcation microfluidic chip. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights and Advancements in Microfluidics)

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7938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study the Formation Process of Cuboid Microprotrusion by Glass Molding Process †

by Tao Wang, Tianfeng Zhou, Jing Chen and Lu Song

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030066 - 23 Feb 2017

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5134

Abstract

This paper investigates the formation process of a typical microstructure in the glass microfluidic chip, i.e., cuboid microprotrusion, by the soda-lime glass molding process (GMP). The finite element models on the platform Abaqus/Standard were established for simulating the glass molding process. The glass [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the formation process of a typical microstructure in the glass microfluidic chip, i.e., cuboid microprotrusion, by the soda-lime glass molding process (GMP). The finite element models on the platform Abaqus/Standard were established for simulating the glass molding process. The glass viscoelasticity at pressing temperature was described by the General Maxwell model. The influence of the temperature, aspect ratio and side wall angle on the replication ratio was investigated, and the corresponding predicted molded profiles were demonstrated as well. The established simulation model was verified by experimental results eventually. It could provide a fundamental experience for optimizing glass molding parameters to fabricate microstructures on glass chips. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optofluidics 2016)

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10462 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Integrated Optofluidic Chip for Low-Volume Fluid Viscosity Measurement

by Tie Yang, Giovanni Nava, Valerio Vitali, Francesca Bragheri, Roberto Osellame, Tommaso Bellini, Ilaria Cristiani and Paolo Minzioni

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030065 - 23 Feb 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6048

Abstract

In the present work, an integrated optofluidic chip for fluid viscosity measurements in the range from 1 mPa·s to 100 mPa·s is proposed. The device allows the use of small sample volumes (<1 µL) and the measurement of viscosity as a function of [...] Read more.

In the present work, an integrated optofluidic chip for fluid viscosity measurements in the range from 1 mPa·s to 100 mPa·s is proposed. The device allows the use of small sample volumes (<1 µL) and the measurement of viscosity as a function of temperature. Thanks to the precise control of the force exerted on dielectric spheres by optical beams, the viscosity of fluids is assessed by comparing the experimentally observed movement of dielectric beads produced by the optical forces with that expected by numerical calculations. The chip and the developed technique are validated by analyzing several fluids, such as Milli-Q water, ethanol and water–glycerol mixtures. The results show a good agreement between the experimental values and those reported in the literature. The extremely reduced volume of the sample required and the high flexibility of this technique make it a good candidate for measuring a wide range of viscosity values as well as for the analysis of nonlinear viscosity in complex fluids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optofluidics 2016)

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5641 KiB

Open AccessLetter

Observation Interface of PDMS Membrane in a Microfluidic Chip Based on One-Step Molding

by Xiangyu Chen, Shuangyue Hou, Jian Chu, Ying Xiong, Penghui Xiong, Gang Liu and Yangchao Tian

Micromachines 2017, 8(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi8030064 - 23 Feb 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 6673

Abstract

Nowadays, researchers are focusing on sorting, characterizing and detecting micron or submicron particles or bacteria in microfluidic chips. However, some contradictions hinder the applications of conventional microfluidic chips, including the low working distance of high resolving power microscopy and the low light transmittance [...] Read more.

Nowadays, researchers are focusing on sorting, characterizing and detecting micron or submicron particles or bacteria in microfluidic chips. However, some contradictions hinder the applications of conventional microfluidic chips, including the low working distance of high resolving power microscopy and the low light transmittance of conventional microfluidic chips. In this paper, a rapid and readily accessible microfluidic fabrication method is presented to realize observation with high magnification microscopy. With the one-step molding process, the interconnections, the thin observation interface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane and microfluidic channels were integrated into an intact PDMS replica. Three kinds of PDMS replicas with different auxiliary beams were designed and optimized by leakage experiments and analytical software. The observation interfaces of a 170 μm thickness PDMS membrane enlarges the application domain of microfluidic chips. By adopting a solution of high magnification observation, microfluidic devices could be applied widely in medical science, biology and material science. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enabling Microfluidic Technologies for Single Cell Analysis)

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Micromachines, Volume 8, Issue 3 (March 2017) – 31 articles

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