Schizophrenic molecules and materials with multiple personalities - how materials science could revolutionise how we do chemical sensing

Molecular photoswitches like spiropyrans derivatives offer exciting possibilities for the development of analytical platforms incorporating photo-responsive materials for functions such as light-activated guest uptake and release and optical reporting on status (passive form, free active form, guest bound to active form). In particular, these switchable materials hold tremendous promise for microflow-systems, in view of the fact that their behaviour can be controlled and interrogated remotely using light from LEDs, without the need for direct physical contact. We demonstrate the immobilisation of these materials on microbeads which can be incorporated into a microflow system to facilitate photoswitchable guest uptake and release. We also introduce novel hybrid materials based on spiropyrans derivatives grafted onto a polymer backbone which, in the presence of an ionic liquid, produces a gel-like material capable of significant photoactuation behaviour. We demonstrate how this material can be incorporated into microfluidic platforms to produce valve-like structures capable of controlling liquid movement using light

One-step fabrication of microchannels with integrated three dimensional features by hot intrusion embossing

We build on the concept of hot intrusion embossing to develop a one-step fabrication method for thermoplastic microfluidic channels containing integrated three-dimensional features. This was accomplished with simple, rapid-to-fabricate imprint templates containing microcavities that locally control the intrusion of heated thermoplastic based on their cross-sectional geometries. The use of circular, rectangular and triangular cavity geometries was demonstrated for the purposes of forming posts, multi-focal length microlense arrays, walls, steps, tapered features and three-dimensional serpentine microchannels. Process variables, such as temperature and pressure, controlled feature dimensions without affecting the overall microchannel geometry. The approach was demonstrated for polycarbonate, cycloolefin copolymer and polystyrene, but in principle is applicable to any thermoplastic. The approach is a step forward towards rapid fabrication of complex, robust, microfluidic platforms with integrated multi-functional elements

A doublet microlens array for imaging micron-sized objects

We present a high-numerical aperture, doublet microlens array for imaging micron-sized objects. The proposed doublet architecture consists of glass microspheres trapped on a predefined array of silicon microholes and covered with a thin polymer layer. A standard silicon microfabrication process and a novel fluidic assembly technique were combined to obtain an array of 56 µm diameter microlenses with a numerical aperture of ~0.5. Using such an array, we demonstrated brightfield and fluorescent image formation of objects directly on a CCD sensor without the use of intermediate lenses. The proposed technology is a significant advancement toward the unmet need of inexpensive, miniaturized optical modules which can be further integrated with lab-on-chip microfluidic devices and photonic chips for a variety of high-end imaging/detection applications.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90795/1/0960-1317_21_10_105024.pd

High signal-to-noise ratio ultra-compact lab-on-a-chip microflow cytometer enabled by silicon optical antennas

[EN] We experimentally demonstrate an all-silicon nanoantenna-based micro-optofluidic cytometer showing a combination of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) > 14 dB and ultra-compact size. Thanks to the ultra-high directivity of the antennas (>150), which enables a state-of-the-art sub-micron resolution, we are able to avoid the use of the bulky devices typically employed to collimate light on chip (such as lenses or fibers). The nm-scale antenna cross section allows a dramatic reduction of the optical system footprint, from the mm-scale of previous approaches to a few mu m(2), yielding a notable reduction in the fabrication costs. This scheme paves the way to ultra-compact lab-on-a-chip devices that may enable new applications with potential impact on all branches of biological and health science.Funding from grant TEC2015-63838-C3-1-R OPTONANOSENS (MINECO/FEDER, UE) is acknowledged. C. G.-M. acknowledges support from project TEC2015-73581-JIN PHUTURE (AEI/FEDER, UE). This work was also supported by the EU-funded projects FP7-ICT PHOXTROT (No. 318240), the EU-funded H2020-FET-HPC EXANEST (No. 671553) and the Generalitat Valenciana's PROMETEO grant NANOMET PLUS (PROMETEO II/2014/34).Lechago-Buendia, S.; García Meca, C.; Sánchez Losilla, N.; Griol Barres, A.; Martí Sendra, J. (2018). High signal-to-noise ratio ultra-compact lab-on-a-chip microflow cytometer enabled by silicon optical antennas. Optics Express. 26(20):25645-25656. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.02564525645256562620Redding, B., Liew, S. F., Sarma, R., & Cao, H. (2013). Compact spectrometer based on a disordered photonic chip. Nature Photonics, 7(9), 746-751. doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.190Malinauskas, M., Žukauskas, A., Hasegawa, S., Hayasaki, Y., Mizeikis, V., Buividas, R., & Juodkazis, S. (2016). Ultrafast laser processing of materials: from science to industry. Light: Science & Applications, 5(8), e16133-e16133. doi:10.1038/lsa.2016.133Fan, X., & White, I. M. (2011). 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Synergism between particle-based multiplexing and microfluidics technologies may bring diagnostics closer to the patient

In the field of medical diagnostics there is a growing need for inexpensive, accurate, and quick high-throughput assays. On the one hand, recent progress in microfluidics technologies is expected to strongly support the development of miniaturized analytical devices, which will speed up (bio)analytical assays. On the other hand, a higher throughput can be obtained by the simultaneous screening of one sample for multiple targets (multiplexing) by means of encoded particle-based assays. Multiplexing at the macro level is now common in research labs and is expected to become part of clinical diagnostics. This review aims to debate on the “added value” we can expect from (bio)analysis with particles in microfluidic devices. Technologies to (a) decode, (b) analyze, and (c) manipulate the particles are described. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges of integrating currently existing detection platforms for encoded microparticles into microdevices and on promising microtechnologies that could be used to down-scale the detection units in order to obtain compact miniaturized particle-based multiplexing platforms

Combined laser-based measurements for micro- and nano-scale transport phenomena

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.This paper summarizes our recent works in combined laser-based measurement techniques for investigating micro- and nano-scale transport phenomena. Micron-resolution particle image velocimetry combined with the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technique has been developed for analyzing velocity and ion concentration distributions simultaneously. The measurement system was based upon a confocal microscope to realize the depth-resolution of approximately 2 μm, and we have applied this technique to liquid-liquid mixing flows, gas-liquid two-phase flows and gas permeation phenomena through membranes. To evaluate the electrostatic potential at a solid-liquid interface (i.e., zeta-potential), the LIF technique was extended with evanescent wave illumination, and only the fluorescent dye within approximately 100 nm from a microchannel wall was irradiated. The technique was applied to microdevices with a surface modification pattern, and the zeta-potential distribution was successfully visualized. Two proposed developments will contribute to novel applications related to microscale multiphase flows or electrokinetics

Microdroplet Technology Based Functional Microcapsules Generation, Handling and Applications

制度:新 ; 報告番号:甲3593号 ; 学位の種類:博士(工学) ; 授与年月日:2012/2/25 ; 早大学位記番号:新593