Two-dimensional acoustic focusing of microparticles in two-phase droplet-based microfluidic systems increases particle detectability

We have fabricated a silicon-glass two-phase droplet-based microfluidic system and implemented two-dimensional acoustic focusing prior to droplet generation as well as continuously throughout the whole system to increase particle detectability. Using acoustic focusing we have effectively minimized sedimentation of the encapsulated particles and thereby increased particle detectability by as much as 44% compared to unactuated operation of the system

Improved positioning and detectability of microparticles in droplet microfluidics using two-dimensional acoustophoresis

We have fabricated a silicon-glass two-phase droplet microfluidic system capable of generating sub 100 μm-sized, ø = (74 ± 2) μm, spherical droplets at rates of up to hundreds of hertz. By implementing a two-dimensional (2D) acoustophoresis particle-positioning method, we show a fourfold improvement in both vertical and lateral particle positioning inside the droplets compared to unactuated operation. The efficiency of the system has been optimized by incorporating aluminum matching layers in the transducer design permitting biocompatible operational temperatures (<37 °C). Furthermore, by using acoustic actuation, (99.8 ± 0.4)% of all encapsulated microparticles can be detected compared to only (79.0 ± 5.1)% for unactuated operation. In our experiments we observed a strong ordering of the microparticles in distinct patterns within the droplet when using 2D acoustophoresis; to explain the origin of these patterns we simulated numerically the fluid flow inside the droplets and compared with the experimental findings

An intra-droplet particle switch for droplet microfluidics using bulk acoustic waves

To transfer cell- and bead-assays into droplet-based platforms typically requires the use of complex microfluidic circuits, which calls for methods to switch the direction of the encapsulated particles. We present a microfluidic chip where the combination of acoustic manipulation at two different harmonics and a trident-shaped droplet-splitter enables direction-switching of microbeads and yeast cells in droplet microfluidic circuits. At the first harmonic, the encapsulated particles exit the splitter in the center daughter droplets, while at the second harmonic, the particles exit in the side daughter droplets. This method holds promises for droplet-based assays where particle-positioning needs to be selectively controlled

Organ-on-a-chip technology : A novel approach to investigate cardiovascular diseases

The development of organs-on-chip (OoC) has revolutionized in vitro cell-culture experiments by allowing a better mimicry of human physiology and pathophysiology that has consequently led researchers to gain more meaningful insights into disease mechanisms. Several models of hearts-on-chips and vessels-on-chips have been demonstrated to recapitulate fundamental aspects of the human cardiovascular system in the recent past. These 2D and 3D systems include synchronized beating cardiomyocytes in hearts-on-chips and vessels-on-chips with layer-based structures and the inclusion of physiological and pathological shear stress conditions. The opportunities to discover novel targets and to perform drug testing with chip-based platforms have substantially enhanced, thanks to the utilization of patient-derived cells and precise control of their microenvironment. These organ models will provide an important asset for future approaches to personalized cardiovascular medicine and improved patient care. However, certain technical and biological challenges remain, making the global utilization of OoCs to tackle unanswered questions in cardiovascular science still rather challenging. This review article aims to introduce and summarize published work on hearts- and vessels-on chips but also to provide an outlook and perspective on how these advanced in vitro systems can be used to tailor disease models with patient-specific characteristics

Development of nanoporous gold electrodes for electrochemical applications

In this work we have used simple microfabrication techniques and chemical de-alloying of co-sputtered AgAu alloys to create nanoporous gold (np-Au) electrodes. The physical properties of the np-Au electrodes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and profilometer. The electrochemical performance of the np-Au electrodes was measured by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We have fabricated np-Au electrodes with pore sizes between 10 nm and 60 nm, directly related to the Ag:Au ratio. The electrochemical results reveal that np-Au electrodes have much lower impedance than the conventional Au electrodes, due to the significantly higher surface area to volume ratio of np-Au. The np-Au electrodes made from Ag66Au34 and Ag60Au40 show more than 10-fold magnitude reduction in impedance compared to conventional Au electrodes. These results show that np-Au electrodes have a great potential for electrochemical applications

Titanium tungsten coatings for bioelectrochemical applications

This paper presents an assessment of titanium tungsten (TiW) coatings and their applicability as components of biosensing systems. The focus is put on using TiW as an electromechanical interface layer between carbon nanotube (CNT) forests and silicon nanograss (SiNG) cell scaffolds. Cytotoxicity, applicability to plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of aligned CNT forests, and electrochemical performance are investigated. Experiments include culturing of NIH3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells on TiW coated silicon scaffolds, CNT growth on TiW substrates with nickel catalyst, and cyclic voltammetric investigation with PBS-buffered potassium hexacyanoferrate (II/III)

Gold Cleaning Methods for Electrochemical Detection Applications

This work investigates methods for obtaining reliably clean gold film surfaces. Nine gold cleaning methods are investigated here: UV ozone photoreactor; potassium hydroxide–hydrogen peroxide; potassium hydroxide potential sweep; sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide; sulfuric acid potential cycling; hydrochloric acid potential cycling; dimethylamine borane reducing agent solutions at 25 and 65 °C; and a dilute form of Aqua Regia. Peak-current potential-differences obtained from cyclic voltammetry and charge transfer resistance obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as well as X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy are used to characterize surface cleanliness. A low peak-current potential-difference and charge transfer resistance indicates a cleaner surface, as does a higher percentage of elemental gold on the electrode surface. The potassium hydroxide potential sweep method is found to leave the gold surface the cleanest overall

Biomimetic spinning of artificial spider silk from a chimeric minispidroin.

Herein we present a chimeric recombinant spider silk protein (spidroin) whose aqueous solubility equals that of native spider silk dope and a spinning device that is based solely on aqueous buffers, shear forces and lowered pH. The process recapitulates the complex molecular mechanisms that dictate native spider silk spinning and is highly efficient; spidroin from one liter of bacterial shake-flask culture is enough to spin a kilometer of the hitherto toughest as-spun artificial spider silk fiber