Flow manipulation and cell immobilization for biochemical applications using thermally responsive fluids

Molecular diffusive membranes play crucial roles in the field of microfluidics for biological applications e.g., 3D cell culture and biosensors. Hydrogels provide a range of benefits such as free diffusion of small molecules, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to be produced in bulk. Among various hydrogels, Pluronic F127 can be used for cell culture purposes due to its biocompatibility and flexible characteristics regarding its environment. Aqueous solutions of Pluronic F127 shows a reversible thermo-thickening property, which can be manipulated by introduction of ions. As a result, controlled diffusion of ions into the solution of Pluronic F127 can result in a controlled gel formation. In this study, the flow of immiscible solutions of Pluronic and sodium phosphate inside a Y-shaped microchannel is simulated using the level set method, and the effects of volume flow rates and temperature on the gel formation are investigated. It is indicated that the gel wall thickness can decrease by either increasing the Pluronic volume flow rate or increasing both volume flow rates while increasing the saline volume flow rate enhances the gel wall thickness. Below a critical temperature value, no gel wall is formed, and above that, a gel wall is constructed, with a thickness that increases with temperature. This setup can be used for drug screening, where gel wall provides an environment for drug-cell interactions.Article Highlights Parallel flow of Pluronic F127 and saline solutions inside a Y-shaped microchannel results in formation of a gel wall at their interface. The numerical analysis reveals the impact of each inlet flow rate and temperature on gel wall thickness and movement. The findings indicate that the gel wall has a low but steady velocity toward the saline solution. Graphical abstract

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Numerical investigation of moving gel wall formation in a Y-shaped microchannel

Dabiri

Banadaki

Bazargan

et al. 2023

SN Appl. Sci.

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The role of women in freshwater aquaculture development in Kenya

Awuor

2021

Aquatic Ecosystem Health &Amp; Management

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For many years, aquaculture has been erroneously viewed as a male-dominated sector, offering women inadequate opportunities partly due to the high capital investment requirement and or the technologies linked to the venture. Women work in all areas of the aquaculture value chain but their opportunities have not kept pace with aquaculture growth. Hence, they form a larger component of the poor, limiting their income-generating activities and asset building potential. Gender disaggregated statistics that could track women’s engagement in aquaculture activities in Kenya are scanty. Hence, women’s presence, influence and interests are invisible. All aquaculture labour practices should embrace the Sustainable Development Goals 5 that focus on gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. To that end, gender equality must be mainstreamed into aquaculture planning, development, monitoring and evaluation. This will require concerted political efforts by sector leaders, advocates and gender champions, supported by new technical instruments for implementation. The study leverages on incorporating gender lens and making gender visible in every phenomenon, questioning if, how and why processes, opportunities and standards differ systematically for women and men and not solely for women. Finally, it proposes sections where women’s engagements can be strengthened to increase the importance of aquaculture production in Kenya.

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Flow manipulation and cell immobilization for biochemical applications using thermally responsive fluids

Cited by 2 publications

References 18 publications

Numerical investigation of moving gel wall formation in a Y-shaped microchannel

Numerical investigation of moving gel wall formation in a Y-shaped microchannel

The role of women in freshwater aquaculture development in Kenya

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