Surface coatings and patterning technologies are essential for various physicochemical applications. In this Letter, we describe key parameters to achieve uniform particle from binary solutions. First, multiple sequential Marangoni flows, set by solute surfactant simultaneously, prevent nonuniform distributions continuously mix suspended materials during droplet evaporation. Second, show the importance of particle-surface interactions that can be established surface-adsorbed macromolecules....

Significance Dead-end geometries are commonly found in many porous systems. Particle transport into such dead-end pores is often important, but difficult to achieve owing the confinement. It natural expect that Brownian motion sole mechanism deliver particles pores, is, unfortunately, slow and inefficient. Here, we introduce solute gradient control of channels. We demonstrate a size effect larger tend focus more reside deeper Our findings suggest potential pathway useful applications as...

We present a simple method with the aid of microfluidic droplet-generation technique to fabricate magnetic Janus particles by utilizing solvent evaporation-induced phase separation and preferential partitioning nanoparticles in polymer blends. Non-aqueous emulsion droplets blends solution are produced become after evaporation solvent. The stabilizing nanoparticles, which is compatible only one be phase-separated, plays key role anisotropic positioning particles. Using this separation-based...

Magnetic nanoparticles have been employed to capture pathogens for many biological applications; however, optimal particle sizes determined empirically in specific capturing protocols. Here, a theoretical model that simulates of bacteria is described and used calculate bacterial collision frequencies magnetophoretic properties range sizes. The predicts particles with diameter 460 nm should produce separation buffer flowing at 1 L h−1. Validating the predictive power model, Staphylococcus...

Abstract A major challenge to scale up a microfluidic magnetic separator for extracorporeal blood cleansing applications is overcome low drag velocity caused by viscous components interfering with magnetophoresis. Therefore, there an unmet need develop effective method position particles the area of augmented flux density gradients while retaining clinically applicable throughput. Here, magnetophoretic cell separation device, integrated slanted ridge‐arrays in channel, reported. The ridges...

Patterning wrinkles on three-dimensional curved or enclosed surfaces can be challenging due to difficulties in application of uniform films and stresses such structures. In this study, we demonstrate a simple one-step wrinkle-formation method various hydrogel structures utilizing the oil–water interfaces. By diffusion photoinitiator from oil phase prepolymer solution water through interface, characteristic cross-linking gradient is set up hydrogel. Then, after photopolymerization, observe...

We constructed a mesh-grid integrated microwell array which enables easy trapping and consistent addition of droplets. The grid acts as microchannel structure to guide droplets into the microwells underneath, also provides open access for additional manipulation in high-throughput manner. Each droplet forms stable environment pico-litre volume implement single-cell-based assay.

Microfluidic droplet-based technology enables encapsulation of cells in the isolated aqueous chambers surrounded by immiscible fluid but single-cell efficiency is usually less than 30%. In this letter, we introduce a simple microgroove structure to break droplets into random sizes which further allows collecting [Escherichia coli (E. coli)] containing their size differences. Pinched-flow separation method integrated sort out certain have high probability one cell. Consequently, were able...

We report the self-assembly of insulin monomers into amyloid fibrils within microchannels. To demonstrate microfluidic formation and fibril growth on a solid surface, we seeded internal surfaces microchannels with via N-hydroxysuccinimide ester activation continuously flushed fresh solution through According to our analysis using optical fluorescence microscopy, preferentially formed in center and, after reaching certain density, spread side walls By ex situ atomic force observed inside...

We report a simple method for the fabrication of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane with through-holes by blowing residual prepolymer away from photoresist (PR)-patterned Si wafer. The perforated polymer is crucial to achieve both complicated three-dimensional microfluidic devices and sieve sheets. This has several advantages over previous methods in that we can repeatedly make well-defined holes on PDMS membranes even if excess remains PR mold after spincoating at relatively low rpm. In...

We present multicompartment microfibers embedded with double-emulsion droplets, which have great potential for encapsulating various functional cargos.

Abstract Swimming in low-Reynolds-number fluids requires the breaking of time-reversal symmetry and centrosymmetry. Microswimmers, often with asymmetric shapes, exhibit nonreciprocal motions or exploit nonequilibrium processes to propel. The role surrounding fluid has also attracted attention because viscoelastic, non-Newtonian, anisotropic properties matter propulsion efficiency navigation. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that fluids, nematic liquid crystals (NLC), can make a pulsating...

This paper reports the first use of abacus-groove structure to handle droplets in a wide microchannel, with no external forces integrated system other than pumps. Microfluidic abacus channels are demonstrated for sequential addition at desired location. A control channel which is analogous biasing electronics can also be used precisely determine number added droplets, when all experimental conditions fixed including size and frequency droplet-generation. The device allows programmable...

Abstract Hydrodynamic interactions play a role in synchronized motions of coupled oscillators fluids, and understanding the mechanism will facilitate development applications fluid mechanics. For example, synchronization phenomenon two-phase flow benefit design future microfluidic devices, allowing spatiotemporal control microdroplet generation without additional integration elements. In this work, utilizing characteristic oscillation adjacent interfaces between two immiscible fluids...

We describe a microfluidic system for generating sequence of liquid droplets multiple concentrations in single experimental condition. The series final has the combination compositions varying periodically, with polydispersity size less than 8%. By utilizing design microchannel geometry and passive control three immiscible fluids (oil, water, air) including generation, breakup, separation coalescence droplets, we can change to generate diverse sets materials. device be used testing different...

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting with high sentinel ability to scan their neighborhood and initiate an adaptive immune response. Whereas chemotactic migration of mature DCs (mDCs) towards lymph nodes is relatively well documented, the migratory behavior immature (imDCs) in tumor microenvironments still poorly understood. Here, microfluidic systems various geometries, including mazes, used investigate how physical chemical microenvironment influences pattern imDCs. Under...

Abstract A hemolysis‐free and highly efficient plasma separation platform enabled by enhanced diamagnetic repulsion of blood cells in undiluted whole is reported. Complete removal from achieved supplementing with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), which turns the into a paramagnetic condition, thus, all are repelled magnets. The successfully collected 4 mL at flow rates up to 100 µL min −1 without losing proteins, platelets, or exosomes 83.3±1.64% volume recovery, superior...

Precise temporal control of microfluidic droplets such as synchronization and combinatorial pairing is required to achieve a variety range chemical biochemical reactions inside networks. Here, we present facile robust platform enabling uniform interval flowing for the precise picoliter with reagent. By incorporating microbridge structures interconnecting droplet-carrying channel flow channel, fluidic pressure drop was derived between two channels via structures, reordering defined interval....

Monodispersed lipid vesicles have been used as a drug delivery vehicle and biochemical reactor. To generate monodispersed in the nano- to micrometer size range, an extrusion step should be included conventional hand-shaking method of vesicle synthesis. In addition, carrier still need improved effectively encapsulate concentrated biomolecules such cells, proteins, target drugs. overcome these limitations, this paper reports new microfluidic platform for continuous synthesis small-sized (∼10...

D. E. Ingber and co-workers illustrate the capture removal of bacterial cells from flowing blood by binding them to different-sized magnetic particles that are pulled fields. On page 5657, they explain how optimal size these nanoparticles for continuous magnetophoretic pathogen separation is determined. A new theoretical model describing efficiencies described, shown accurately predict promote bead in experimental trials.