Multiscale Fabrication of Multiple Proteins and Topographical Structures by Combining Capillary Force Lithography and Microscope Projection Photolithography

We present new methods that enable the fabrication of multiscale, multicomponent protein-patterned surfaces and multiscale topologically structured surfaces by exploiting the merits of two well-established techniques: capillary force lithography (CFL) and microscope projection photolithography (MPP) based on a protein-friendly photoresist. We further demonstrate that, when hierarchically organized micro- and nanostructures were used as a cell culture platform, human colon cancer cells (cell line SW480) preferentially adhere and migrate onto the area with nanoscale topography over the one with microscale topography. These methods will provide many exciting opportunities for the study of cellular responses to multiscale physicochemical cues

Analysis of Preload-Dependent Reversible Mechanical Interlocking Using Beetle-Inspired Wing Locking Device

We report an analysis of preload-dependent reversible interlocking between regularly arrayed, high aspect ratio (AR) polymer micro- and nanofibers. Such a reversible interlocking is inspired from the wing-locking device of a beetle where densely populated microhairs (termed microtrichia) on the cuticular surface form numerous hair-to-hair contacts to maximize lateral shear adhesion. To mimic this, we fabricate various high AR, vertical micro- and nanopillars on a flexible substrate and investigate the shear locking force with different preloads (0.1–10 N/cm²). A simple theoretical model is developed based on the competition between van der Waals (VdW) attraction and deflection forces of pillars, which can explain the preload-dependent maximum deflection, tilting angle, and total shear adhesion force

Multiscale Fabrication of Multiple Proteins and Topographical Structures by Combining Capillary Force Lithography and Microscope Projection Photolithography

We present new methods that enable the fabrication of multiscale, multicomponent protein-patterned surfaces and multiscale topologically structured surfaces by exploiting the merits of two well-established techniques: capillary force lithography (CFL) and microscope projection photolithography (MPP) based on a protein-friendly photoresist. We further demonstrate that, when hierarchically organized micro- and nanostructures were used as a cell culture platform, human colon cancer cells (cell line SW480) preferentially adhere and migrate onto the area with nanoscale topography over the one with microscale topography. These methods will provide many exciting opportunities for the study of cellular responses to multiscale physicochemical cues

Beetle-Inspired Bidirectional, Asymmetric Interlocking Using Geometry-Tunable Nanohairs

We present bidirectional, asymmetric interlocking behaviors between tilted micro- and nanohair arrays inspired from the actual wing locking device of beetles. The measured shear adhesion force between two identical tilted microhair arrays (1.5 μm radius, 30 μm height) turned out to be higher in the reverse direction than that in the angled direction, suggesting that the directionality of beetle’s microtrichia may play a critical role in preventing the elytra from shifting along the middle of insect body. Furthermore, we observed dramatic enhancement of shear adhesion using asymmetric interlocking of various nanohair arrays (tilting angle, δ < 40°). A maximum shear locking force of ∼60 N/cm² was measured for the nanohair arrays of 50 nm radius and 1 μm height with a hysteresis as high as ∼3. A simple theoretical model was developed to describe the measured asymmetric adhesion forces and hysteresis, in good agreement with the experimental data

Design of Polydiacetylene-Phospholipid Supramolecules for Enhanced Stability and Sensitivity

We present polydiacetylene (PDA) liposome assemblies with various phospholipids that have different headgroup charges and phase transition temperatures (Tm). 10,12-Pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA)-epoxy was used as a base PDA monomer and the insertion of highly charged phospholipids resulted in notable changes in the size of liposome and reduction of the aggregation of PDA liposome. Among the various phospholipids, the phospholipid with a moderate Tm demonstrated enhanced stability and sensitivity, as measured by the size and zeta potential over storage time, thermochoromic response, and transmission electron microscopy images. By combining these results, we were able to detect immunologically an antibody of bovine viral diarrhea virus over a wide dynamic range of 0.001 to 100 μg/mL

Robust Microzip Fastener: Repeatable Interlocking Using Polymeric Rectangular Parallelepiped Arrays

We report a highly repeatable and robust microzip fastener based on the van der Waals force-assisted interlocking between rectangular parallelepiped arrays. To investigate zipperlike interlocking behaviors, various line arrays were fabricated with three different spacing ratios (1, 3, and 5 of 800 nm in width) and width of parallelepipeds (400 nm, 800 nm, and 5 μm with the spacing ratio of 1). In addition, the different rigidity of line arrays was inspected for a repeatable microzip fastener. The normal and shear locking forces were measured with variation of the material rigidity as well as geometry of the array, in good agreement with a proposed theory based on the contact area and force balance. The maximum adhesion forces as high as ∼8.5 N cm^–2 in the normal direction and ∼29.6 N cm^–2 in the shear direction were obtained with high stability up to 1000 cycles. High stability of our fastening system was confirmed for preventing critical failures such as buckling and fracture in practical applications

Repetitive Cleavage of Elastomeric Membrane via Controlled Interfacial Fracture

Here, we report a method of fabricating thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with a thickness in the range of 60–80 nm, which can be repeatedly generated (more than 10 times) from the same block of PDMS via controlled interfacial fracture. The thin layers can be transferred to various substrates by peeling off from the bulk PDMS. The cleavage is attributed to the built-in stress at the fracture interface due to plasma treatment, resulting in the repetitive formation of the thin membranes, with no residue from processing, and with a surface roughness of ∼5 nm. We were able to demonstrate transferred patterns with controlled thickness by varying the oxygen plasma treatment conditions and the composition of bulk PDMS stamp. Using the method, we achieved residual-free patterns with submicrometer resolution for applications in biomolecule array templates

Solid Phase DNA Extraction with a Flexible Bead-Packed Microfluidic Device to Detect Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in Nasal Swabs

We have developed a bead-packed microfluidic device with a built-in flexible wall to automate extraction of nucleic acids from methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) in nasal swabs. The flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane was designed to manipulate the surface-to-volume ratio (SVR) of bead-packed chambers in the range of 0.05 to 0.15 (μm^–1) for a typical solid phase extraction protocol composed of binding, washing, and eluting. In particular, the pneumatically assisted close packing of beads led to an invariant SVR (0.15 μm^–1) even with different bead amounts (10–16 mg), which allowed for consistent operation of the device and improved capture efficiency for bacteria cells. Furthermore, vigorous mixing by asynchronous membrane vibration enabled ca. 90% DNA recovery with ca. 10 μL of liquid solution from the captured cells on the bead surfaces. The full processes to detect MRSA in nasal swabs, i.e., nasal swab collection, prefiltration, on-chip DNA extraction, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, were successfully constructed and carried out to validate the capability to detect MRSA in nasal swab samples. This flexible microdevice provided an excellent analytical PCR detection sensitivity of ca. 61 CFU/swab with 95% confidence interval, which turned out to be higher than or similar to that of the commercial DNA-based MRSA detection techniques. This excellent performance would be attributed to the capability of the flexible bead-packed microdevice to enrich the analyte from a large initial sample (e.g., 1 mL) into a microscale volume of eluate (e.g., 10 μL). The proposed microdevice will find many applications as a solid phase extraction method toward various sample-to-answer systems

Solid Phase DNA Extraction with a Flexible Bead-Packed Microfluidic Device to Detect Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in Nasal Swabs

We have developed a bead-packed microfluidic device with a built-in flexible wall to automate extraction of nucleic acids from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nasal swabs. The flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane was designed to manipulate the surface-to-volume ratio (SVR) of bead-packed chambers in the range of 0.05 to 0.15 (μm–1) for a typical solid phase extraction protocol composed of binding, washing, and eluting. In particular, the pneumatically assisted close packing of beads led to an invariant SVR (0.15 μm–1) even with different bead amounts (10–16 mg), which allowed for consistent operation of the device and improved capture efficiency for bacteria cells. Furthermore, vigorous mixing by asynchronous membrane vibration enabled ca. 90% DNA recovery with ca. 10 μL of liquid solution from the captured cells on the bead surfaces. The full processes to detect MRSA in nasal swabs, i.e., nasal swab collection, prefiltration, on-chip DNA extraction, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, were successfully constructed and carried out to validate the capability to detect MRSA in nasal swab samples. This flexible microdevice provided an excellent analytical PCR detection sensitivity of ca. 61 CFU/swab with 95% confidence interval, which turned out to be higher than or similar to that of the commercial DNA-based MRSA detection techniques. This excellent performance would be attributed to the capability of the flexible bead-packed microdevice to enrich the analyte from a large initial sample (e.g., 1 mL) into a microscale volume of eluate (e.g., 10 μL). The proposed microdevice will find many applications as a solid phase extraction method toward various sample-to-answer systems

Janus-Compartmental Alginate Microbeads Having Polydiacetylene Liposomes and Magnetic Nanoparticles for Visual Lead(II) Detection

Janus-compartmental alginate microbeads having two divided phases of sensory polydiacetylene (PDA) liposomes and magnetic nanoparticles were fabricated for facile sensory applications. The sensory liposomes are composed of PDA for label-free signal generation and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-galloyl (DPGG) lipids whose galloyl headgroup has specific interactions with lead­(II). The second phase having magnetic nanoparticles is designed for convenient handling of the microbeads, such as washing, solvent exchange, stirring, and detection, by applying magnetic field. Selective and convenient colorimetric detection of lead­(II) and efficient removal of lead­(II) by alginate matrix at the same time are demonstrated