Design and fabrication of magnetically functionalized flexible micropillar arrays for rapid and controllable microfluidic mixing

Zhou, Bingpu; Xu, Wei; Syed, Ali; Chau, Yeungyeung; Chen, Lei; Chew, Basil; Yassine, Omar; Wu, Xiaoxiao; Gao, Yibo; Zhang, Jingxian; Xiao, Xiao; Kosel, Jürgen; Zhang, Xixiang; Yao, Zhaohui; Wen, Weijia

doi:10.1039/c5lc00173k

Cited by 101 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recently, Chen et al studied a device that enhances mixing by actuating artificial cilia with embedded magnetic particles within microchannels both numerically and experimentally for multiple trajectories, as shown in figure 6(d) [70]. Zhou et al developed a similar type of micromixer that does not require the same amount of extensive hardware as the device created by Chen et al [71]. …”

Section: Enhanced Mixing By Active Forcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing in microfluidic devices and enhancement methods

Ward

Fan

2015

J. Micromech. Microeng.

347

229

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mixing in microfluidic devices presents a challenge due to laminar flows in microchannels, which result from low Reynolds numbers determined by the channel’s hydraulic diameter, flow velocity, and solution’s kinetic viscosity. To address this challenge, novel methods of mixing enhancement within microfluidic devices have been explored for a variety of applications. Passive mixing methods have been created, including those using ridges or slanted wells within the microchannels, as well as their variations with improved performance by varying geometry and patterns, by changing the properties of channel surfaces, and by optimization via simulations. In addition, active mixing methods including microstirrers, acoustic mixers, and flow pulsation have been investigated and integrated into microfluidic devices to enhance mixing in a more controllable manner. In general, passive mixers are easy to integrate, but difficult to control externally by users after fabrication. Active mixers usually take efforts to integrate within a device and they require external components (e.g. power sources) to operate. However, they can be controlled by users to a certain degree for tuned mixing. In this article, we provide a general overview of a number of passive and active mixers, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and make suggestions on choosing a mixing method for a specific need as well as advocate possible integration of key elements of passive and active mixers to harness the advantages of both types.

show abstract

Section: Enhanced Mixing By Active Forcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing in microfluidic devices and enhancement methods

Ward

Fan

2015

J. Micromech. Microeng.

347

229

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Further developments of the cilia-based actuation scheme focus on specifically devised cilium geometries with doped/undoped and magnetized/unmagnetized sections for improved performance and control capabilities. Multiple-step micromolding processes have been applied to create defined cilia with high aspect ratios (up to *60) and with various ratios of doped to undoped PDMS for active mixing [36,37]. In [38], a core-shell fabrication method for cilia was suggested which decouples the elastic and structural components such that the actuator response can be optimized and actuation of fluids 550 times more viscous than water becomes feasible.…”

Section: Pdms Composite Actuatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stimulus-active polymer actuators for next-generation microfluidic devices

Hilber

2016

Appl. Phys. A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microfluidic devices have not yet evolved into commercial off-the-shelf products. Although highly integrated microfluidic structures, also known as lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and micrototal-analysis-system (lTAS) devices, have consistently been predicted to revolutionize biomedical assays and chemical synthesis, they have not entered the market as expected. Studies have identified a lack of standardization and integration as the main obstacles to commercial breakthrough. Soft microfluidics, the utilization of a broad spectrum of soft materials (i.e., polymers) for realization of microfluidic components, will make a significant contribution to the proclaimed growth of the LOC market. Recent advances in polymer science developing novel stimulus-active soft-matter materials may further increase the popularity and spreading of soft microfluidics. Stimulus-active polymers and composite materials change shape or exert mechanical force on surrounding fluids in response to electric, magnetic, light, thermal, or water/solvent stimuli. Specifically devised actuators based on these materials may have the potential to facilitate integration significantly and hence increase the operational advantage for the end-user while retaining costeffectiveness and ease of fabrication. This review gives an overview of available actuation concepts that are based on functional polymers and points out promising concepts and trends that may have the potential to promote the commercial success of microfluidics.

show abstract

“…The composite fulfils the need for a low rigidity material with remanent magnetization. Further, it can be easily processed by spin coating, drop casting and molding [8]- [10]. For this application, the composite is molded to form bio-inspired hair like structures known as cilia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%