An on-demand micro/nano-convertible channel using an elastomeric nanostructure for multi-purpose use

Kwon, Hyuk-Min; Hong, Seong Kyung; Lee, Minsoo; Lim, Geunbae

doi:10.1039/c8lc00997j

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Our proposed oil emulsion separation system overcomes the fundamental efficiency–flux trade-off by incorporating a scaled-up electrokinetic force mechanism into a nanofibrous membrane filter technology. This technology is based on devices which couple micro- and nanochannels to play an electrophoretic force off a drag force to enable charge-based separation. − Without any physical filter the electrokinetic-based method is currently used to separate various biomolecules, such as nucleic acid from buffers, and rapidly concentrate them with a maximum concentration factor of over 1 million. − Despite the tremendous advantages of charge-based separation, thus far it has been limited to the microfluidic scale due to inherent properties such as unwanted electro-convection with increasing size − and the nonscalability of a coupled nanochannel and microchannel . These limitations have prevented electrokinetic assistance from being a practical solution for water treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Electrokinetic-Assisted Separation of Oil Emulsion with Ultrahigh Flux

et al. 2021

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Many industries have a significant but largely unmet need for efficient and high-flux emulsion separation, particularly for nanoemulsions. Conventional separation membranes rely on size-based separation mainly utilizing a sieving mechanism plus a wetting phenomenon, resulting in a dramatic trade-off between separation efficiency and separation flux. Herein we address this challenge by adapting electrokinetics to membrane-based separation, using a charge-based mechanism capable of separating even nanoemulsions with a demonstrated separation efficiency of >99% and ultrahigh flux up to 40 000 L/ H•m 2 . Our device arrests nano-oil droplets, allowing them to coalesce into larger droplets which are then able to be filtered by coarser membranes. This hybrid technology makes electrokinetic-assisted filtration scalable and commercially viable and allows for a better understanding of the multiphysics underlying dynamic separation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Electrokinetic-Assisted Separation of Oil Emulsion with Ultrahigh Flux

et al. 2021

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“…Permselective pores are often fabricated by etching nanochannels (NCs) on a hard substrate, for example, silicon or glass. − However, these fixed-geometry NCs (e.g., height) cannot be tuned on demand. To overcome this challenge, a dynamically tunable NC can be made from soft elastomer, where the cross-section dimensions of the channel are changeable from micro- to nanometer scale, thereby switching the channel from an open microchannel to an ionic permselective nanochannel. − Yet, with all its advantages, a single tunable NC does not enable the control of the preconcentrated plug position. Herein, we introduce a simple method for tuning the system performance (i.e., ion perm selectivity, solvent permeability) of a single tunable NC by varying the channel cross-sectional dimension in a continuous manner, thereby, enabling its optimization and dynamic operation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable Nanochannels Connected in Series for Dynamic Control of Multiple Concentration-Polarization Layers and Preconcentrated Molecule Plugs

et al. 2020

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Integration of ionic permselective medium (e.g., nanochannels, membranes) within microfluidic channels has been shown to enable on-chip desalination, sample purification, bioparticle sorting, and biomolecule concentration for enhanced detection sensitivity. However, the ion-permselective mediums are generally of fixed properties and cannot be dynamically tuned. Here we study a microfluidic device consisting of an array of individually addressable elastic membranes connected in series on top of a single microfluidic channel that can be deformed to locally reduce the channel cross-section into a nanochannel. Dynamic tunability of the ion-permselective medium, as well as controllability of its location and ionic permselectivity, introduces a new functionality to microfluidics-based lab-on-a-chip devices, for example, dynamic localization of preconcentrated biomolecule plugs at different sensing regions for multiplex detection. Moreover, the ability to simultaneously form a series of preconcentrated plugs at desired locations increases parallelization of the system and the trapping efficiency of target analytes.

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“…[ 17 ] Our group also recently developed a novel micro–nano convertible channel which can both detect and concentrate nucleic acids using electrokinetic phenomenon. [ 18 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multiscale‐Porous Anion Exchange Membrane for Convenient and Scalable Electrokinetic Concentration of Cationic Species

Lee

Kwon

Lim

2020

Adv Funct Materials

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A device able to electrokinetically concentrate cationic samples has many potential medical and industrial applications, but until now has remained undeveloped due to the lack of a commercial anion‐permselective material leading to a prohibitively complex fabrication procedure. Herein, a novel multiscale‐porous anion exchange membrane (MP‐AEM) that enables the convenient and scalable electrokinetic concentration of cationic species is proposed. A mechanically enhanced multiscale‐porous structure with a solid framework is realized by adopting polyester resin as an additive to overcome the intrinsic limitations of the AEM material. The scalable MP‐AEM‐embedded electrokinetic concentrator is devised based on the peculiar properties of the MP‐AEM that for allow both ion and fluid transport. With the MP‐AEM, the concentrator is fabricated in a highly streamlined manner consisting only of a simple insertion and assembly. The concentration performance of the MP‐AEM‐embedded electrokinetic concentrator is demonstrated with a positively charged fluorescent dye and a fluorescein‐labeled protein, and the results show enrichment factors of 250 and 500, respectively. The MP‐AEM makes cationic electrokinetic concentration more accessible and scalable, thereby enabling further progress in a wide range of fields.

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An on-demand micro/nano-convertible channel using an elastomeric nanostructure for multi-purpose use

Abstract: For microfluidic applications, we propose a nanochannel for easy fabrication and integration, which is capable of an easy transition between the 3 regimes on demand. We demonstrated an ionic diode and pre-concentration/sensing of DNA.

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Comprehensive Electrokinetic-Assisted Separation of Oil Emulsion with Ultrahigh Flux

Comprehensive Electrokinetic-Assisted Separation of Oil Emulsion with Ultrahigh Flux

Tunable Nanochannels Connected in Series for Dynamic Control of Multiple Concentration-Polarization Layers and Preconcentrated Molecule Plugs

A Multiscale‐Porous Anion Exchange Membrane for Convenient and Scalable Electrokinetic Concentration of Cationic Species

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