Activation and Switching of Supramolecular Chemical Signals in Multi-Output Microfluidic Devices

Abstract

In this study, we report on the developing of a continuous microfluidic reaction device that allows selective activation of polyelectrolyte–surfactant chemical signals in microflows and switches them between multiple outputs. A numerical model was developed for convection–diffusion reaction processes in reactive polymer–colloid microfluidic flows. Matlab scripts and scaling laws were developed for this model to predict reaction initiation and completion conditions in microfluidic devices and the location of the reaction front. The model allows the optimization of microfluidic device geometry and the setting of operation modes that provide release of the reaction product through specific outputs. Representing a chemical signal, polyelectrolyte–surfactant reaction products create various logic gate states at microfluidic chip outputs. Such systems may have potential as biochemical signal transmitters in organ-on-chip applications or chemical logic gates in cascaded microfluidic devices.

Materials Nanoarchitectonics at Dynamic Interfaces: Structure Formation and Functional Manipulation

“…Humans have developed various types of chemistry since the 20th century, which has led to modern scientific research. Research on the development of functional systems through organic chemistry [ 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ], inorganic chemistry [ 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 ], coordination chemistry [ 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 ], supramolecular chemistry [ 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 ], polymer chemistry [ 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ], interface chemistry [ 127 , …”

“…Humans have developed various types of chemistry since the 20th century, which has led to modern scientific research. Research on the development of functional systems through organic chemistry [77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86], inorganic chemistry [87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96], coordination chemistry [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106], supramolecular chemistry [107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116], polymer chemistry [117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125]…”

Molecular Machines and Microrobots: Nanoarchitectonics Developments and On-Water Performances

“…The development of mankind depends on the exploration of new functional materials. In particular, it has been supported over the last century by the development of various research fields related to materials development, including organic chemistry [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ], inorganic chemistry [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], polymer science [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], coordination chemistry [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], supramolecular chemistry [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], biochemistry [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], and the other materials sciences [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. The later period of the 20th century saw the inception of the revolutionary concept of nanotechnology.…”