3 research outputs found
Enriching Nanoparticles <i>via</i> Acoustofluidics
Focusing
and enriching submicrometer and nanometer scale objects
is of great importance for many applications in biology, chemistry,
engineering, and medicine. Here, we present an acoustofluidic chip
that can generate single vortex acoustic streaming inside a glass
capillary through using low-power acoustic waves (only 5 V is required).
The single vortex acoustic streaming that is generated, in conjunction
with the acoustic radiation force, is able to enrich submicrometer-
and nanometer-sized particles in a small volume. Numerical simulations
were used to elucidate the mechanism of the single vortex formation
and were verified experimentally, demonstrating the focusing of silica
and polystyrene particles ranging in diameter from 80 to 500 nm. Moreover,
the acoustofluidic chip was used to conduct an immunoassay in which
nanoparticles that captured fluorescently labeled biomarkers were
concentrated to enhance the emitted signal. With its advantages in
simplicity, functionality, and power consumption, the acoustofluidic
chip we present here is promising for many point-of-care applications