#microfluidics

[fuckyeahfluiddynamics]

Blood Flow in a Fin

This award-winning video shows blood flowing through the tail fin of a small fish. Cells flow outward in a central vessel, then split to either side for the return journey. (Video and image credit: F. Weston for the 2023 Nikon Small World in Motion Competition; via Colossal) Read the full article

[bpod-bpod]

Rooting for You

Deep underground, bargains are made between living things. Symbiotic relationships allow fungi to weave their whisker-like hyphae among the roots of plants. This is mutually beneficial: the fungus is rewarded with nutrients while expanding the plant’s thirsty root system. But this biological bonding might benefit us too. Here, researchers grow a plant in a pit of sandy silica nanoparticles. Its roots burrow tunnels in the particles which then harden after a blast of extreme heat, a process known as sintering which leaves a network of tiny channels behind in the transformed glass. A blue liquid is sucked through the tunnels via capillary action, similar to how chemicals move into and around our tissues. Such techniques might allow tissue engineers to explore new designs for microfluidic devices, using plants and fungi as tiny biodegradable scaffolds.

Written by John Ankers

Clip from a video from work by Tetsuro Koga, Shota Nakashima & Fujio Tsumori

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Graduate School of Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Published in Scientific Reports, September 2024

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[materialsscienceandengineering]

Collective synchronized magnetic oscillations enable micropillar arrays to manipulate fluids and act as soft robots

Researchers from Hanyang University have developed an innovative micropillar array capable of collective and rapid magnetic oscillations, demonstrating strong potential for advanced applications in robotics, fluid transport, and dynamic surface control. In nature, many organisms exhibit collective movements to accomplish tasks that would be challenging for individuals alone. A prominent example is the coordinated motion of marine cilia, which collectively regulate fluid flow, facilitate locomotion, or enhance adhesion to surrounding surfaces. Although artificial micropillar structures have been explored to manipulate surface functionality, achieving dynamic actuation with both rapid response and sufficiently large deformation remains a significant challenge.

Read more.

[mattgrayyes]

I can't remember when I last spend a whole day going wow like this, the research has got so much further than I'd have expected!

Matt Gray is Trying: Biomedical Research

[innonurse]

Microfluidic organ chip replicates human cervix, addressing critical gap in women's health research

- By InnoNurse Staff -

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects over 25% of reproductive-aged women, causing severe health complications, and is inadequately treated by current antibiotics, prompting researchers at Harvard and UC Davis to develop a microfluidic "Cervix Chip" that models the cervix's complex environment to better study BV and improve treatments.

Read more at Harvard University/Medical Xpress

Header image credit: DALL·E 3

[microscope-world]

Microfluidics under the ZEISS Stemi 508 microscope.

[nuadox]

3D-printed collagen scaffolds mimic living tissues and may replace animal testing

- By Nuadox Crew -

Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a groundbreaking method for 3D printing collagen-based scaffolds—called CHIPS—that support the growth and self-organization of living cells into functional tissues.

Led by Daniel Shiwarski in collaboration with Adam Feinberg from Carnegie Mellon, this innovation combines natural biomaterials with advanced microfluidic design to mimic real organ environments.

Unlike traditional synthetic models, these collagen structures allow cells to grow, interact, and function as they would in the body, including responding to stimuli like glucose.

Integrated with a custom bioreactor system (VAPOR), the platform enables complex 3D vascular networks and offers a more human-relevant alternative to animal testing.

All designs are open-source, with the long-term goal of modeling diseases like hypertension and replacing animal studies in biomedical research.

Header image: Online cover of Science Advances, April issue. Credit: Daniel Shiwarski.

Read more at University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering

Scientific paper: “3D bioprinting of collagen-based high-resolution internally perfusable scaffolds for engineering fully biologic tissue systems” by Daniel J. Shiwarski, Andrew R. Hudson, Joshua W. Tashman, Ezgi Bakirci, Samuel Moss, Brian D. Coffin and Adam W. Feinberg, 23 April 2025, Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adu5905

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[materialsscienceandengineering]

An electrospray engine applies an electric field to a conductive liquid, generating a high-speed jet of tiny droplets that can propel a spacecraft. These miniature engines are ideal for small satellites called CubeSats that are often used in academic research. Since electrospray engines utilize propellant more efficiently than the powerful, chemical rockets used on the launchpad, they are better suited for precise, in-orbit maneuvers. The thrust generated by an electrospray emitter is tiny, so electrospray engines typically use an array of emitters that are uniformly operated in parallel. However, these multiplexed electrospray thrusters are typically made via expensive and time-consuming semiconductor cleanroom fabrication, which limits who can manufacture them and how the devices can be applied.

Read more.

[aarunresearcher]

United States point of care diagnostics market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.90% during 2024-2032. Numerous advancements in portable and handheld diagnostic devices have enhanced the convenience and user-friendliness of testing, which is primarily driving the market growth.

[health-views-updates]

Industry Analysis: Microfluidics Market Size & Growth Forecast to 2032

The Microfluidics Market Revenue was valued at USD 27.86 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to achieve significant growth, reaching USD 92.43 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14.29% during the forecast period of 2024-2032. This exponential growth is attributed to the rising demand for advanced technologies in healthcare diagnostics, drug delivery systems, and point-of-care testing.

Key Growth Factors

The rapid advancements in healthcare and life sciences, coupled with the miniaturization of laboratory processes, are major drivers of the microfluidics market. These systems enable precise fluid handling, lower reagent consumption, and faster processing times, making them invaluable in diagnostics and drug development.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the growing demand for personalized medicine are further propelling the adoption of microfluidics in clinical diagnostics. Additionally, the integration of microfluidics with lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies has revolutionized point-of-care testing, offering enhanced sensitivity and specificity.

Moreover, the adoption of microfluidics in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food testing is expanding its application scope, driving market growth. Governments and private organizations are also investing heavily in R&D to improve microfluidics technology, enhancing its accessibility and affordability.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global microfluidics market due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong presence of market players, and high investment in research and development. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to exhibit substantial growth, driven by increased healthcare spending, rising demand for point-of-care testing, and a growing biotechnology sector.

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Market Outlook

The future of the microfluidics market looks promising with continuous technological innovations and an expanding application base in various industries. With the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, microfluidics systems are becoming more efficient and user-friendly. As the demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic solutions increases, microfluidics will remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

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[cailynnjohnson]

Microfluidics: The Strategic Technology

Microfluidic chips have garnered significant interest from both academic and industrial sectors since their inception. The launch of the journal "Lab on a Chip" in 2001 marked a pivotal moment, quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone publication and catalyzing further global research in microfluidic chips. In 2004, Business 2.0 magazine featured chip laboratories prominently, identifying them among the "seven technologies that will change the future" on its cover. Subsequently, in July 2006, Nature dedicated a special issue to "Chip Laboratories," offering insights into their research history, current status, and future applications. The editorial highlighted the potential of chip laboratories to become the defining technology of the 21st century, underscoring their strategic importance recognized by both academia and industry on a global scale.

The significance of microfluidic chips stems from several factors. Firstly, the trend of miniaturization aligns with the societal drive towards optimizing resource utilization amidst concerns of resource depletion on an already strained Earth. Secondly, the manipulation of fluids at the micrometer scale unveils novel phenomena, some yet to be fully understood, amidst the plethora of existing technologies and fluid manipulations. Thirdly, there exists a pressing need for systemic research tools capable of comprehensively examining interconnected components within complex systems. Throughout history, such tools have been lacking, making microfluidic chips—with their ability to accommodate diverse unit technologies and facilitate flexible combination and scale integration—a pivotal platform for systemic research.

In the 20th century, the strategic significance of "information" flowing through semiconductors or metals via electronics paved the way for breakthroughs in information science and technology. Similarly, in the 21st century, the exploration of life processes, understanding of biological phenomena, and even partial manipulation of biological entities through microfluidic channels may herald a new era of strategically vital science and technology: microfluidics. This is because "life" and "information" form the cornerstone of modern scientific inquiry and technological advancement.

The advent of microfluidics-based point-of-care testing (POCT) technology represents a paradigm shift in healthcare. By delivering rapid and precise biochemical indicators directly at the

patient's bedside, Microfluidics-based POCT facilitates real-time guidance for medication, revolutionizing the continuum of detection, diagnosis, and treatment and significantly enhancing early disease detection and intervention capabilities.

The future trajectory of POCT instruments entails miniaturization and user-friendliness, enabling simple operation without necessitating specialized personnel. Direct input of bodily fluid samples should yield swift diagnostic outcomes, which can be seamlessly transmitted to remote monitoring centers for medical guidance. While simpler flow tests suffice for basic diagnostics, the complexity of testing demands the precision afforded by microfluidic technology. The adaptability and scalability of microfluidic chips make them the preferred platform for modern POCT applications. Notably, recent years have witnessed numerous successful instances of molecular and immunodiagnostic POCT leveraging microfluidic chip technology.

Introducing two immiscible liquids into microfluidic chip channels and dispersing one into small droplets within the continuous phase at high speeds unlocks a versatile approach for microreactors or carriers of micro-biochemical samples. These microfluidic droplets serve as indispensable microreactors, enabling rapid, large-scale, and ultra-low-concentration reactions at the single-molecule and single-cell levels. Characterized by flexible manipulation, uniform sizing, and excellent heat and mass transfer properties, droplets exhibit immense potential in high-throughput drug screening and material selection realms, boasting frequencies ranging from tens to hundreds of kHz.

[healthdivine]

🧪💡 Tiny tech, massive impact! Micro pumps are powering precision in drug delivery, diagnostics & wearables 📦

[idexindia]

Lower Costs, Higher Shear: Introducing the Quadro® HV High Shear Homogenizer

In today’s fast-paced industries, efficient, precise, and cost-effective processes are essential. Whether in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, or industrial applications, managing submicron emulsions and suspensions requires advanced solutions. Traditional high-pressure homogenizers or media mills often come with high capital costs and inefficiencies. That’s where the Quadro® HV High Shear Mixer Homogenizer excels, offering cutting-edge technology to deliver unmatched high shear mixing and wet milling without the need for expensive high-pressure systems.

[inkintheinternet]

The Science of Lab on a Chip

By Arjuwan Lakkdawala

Ink in the Internet

Science nowadays looks so much like The Jetsons cartoon, where lots of technology would be folded into a little chip or box. The technological leaps have been phenomenal, and what makes this more fascinating in this era, than past breakthrough discoveries, is that the Internet has given us a front row seat of the entire show as it unfolds.

That is not all, we are so connected that it's possible to contribute progressive ideas to science or any project or situation. There is always someone reading and posts go viral faster than we can say cheese.

While this attribute of the Internet makes it very entertaining. There is a serious aspect to the science itself. The aspect of saving lives. The scientists of the world are heroes, innovating not only to progress science but also to invent impactful devices and medication methods in developing countries, we in the privileged first world countries may not think often about the suffering of third world countries. But the elites in academia have made them a priority. Still, despite these efforts there are several issues in getting the proper aid to those countries.

In African regions there is the problem of counterfeit medicines that cause annually thousands of deaths. So a messaging system to scan the barcodes on the medication that could be sent to a website for verification was developed.

Another crisis in developing countries is that women often die during childbirth from blood loss. Due to lack of available medical equipment and blood donors, the same blood lost would be transfused back into the patient using kitchen things and guize to filter the blood  - which done in this way is unhygienic and dangerous. For this the Sisu Global Health developed the Hemafuse for hygienic and steril blood transfusion.

Other inventions like 3D printers are also of significant impact in developing countries. Some examples for instance include; printing prosthetics, setting up field hospitals, or printing a lab-in-a-box.

In this regard is one very interesting invention, which is the lab-on-a-chip. It may sound impossible for a whole lab to be on a chip that can be anywhere from the size of your fingernail to a few inches. This product hasn't been industrialised but it is being used in several medical settings, and constant improved models are in the works.

As technology advances devices are getting miniature and miniature. This is to make it conveniently possible to pack more technology in smaller spaces. But other benefits as scientists emphasis is that it reduces human error. This is more crucial in the medical field than anywhere else.

So how are devices getting so miniature that we can have a lab-on-a-chip?

How did they do it. How does it work. I researched these questions and the answer is complex science, but I will give a detailed overview.

Let's start with the science of chips (not the eating ones) a computer chip is the brain of every type of artificial intelligence. Chips are made mostly from silicon (hence the name Silicon Valley.)

Silicon is made from sand and it's the most abundant natural resource on earth after oxygen.

As we know computers started very large and got smaller, now we have handheld devices that are so slick they are practically flat, and are packed with compute power and huge memory storage.

This is mainly the magic of microchips and transistors. As chips got smaller so did transistors, and they are what gives the chips their compute power. In a powerful optimized chip the size of your fingernail there could be 50 billion transistors.

Transistors have shrunk to the size of atoms.

(Basically the size of atoms, I did extensive research to understand this, and this is what I make of it. The "transistor" is simply layers of silicone, no wires, or hardware, then atoms with an electric charge (ions) are split into negative and positive charged ones known as cations (positive) and anions (negative) and these are fired into the silicone layers, changing their atomic composition, and hence creating an electrical circuit the size of atoms without wires. We know atoms are so small we cannot see them even with a microscope, and this is how devices are getting miniature and compute power is getting bigger. A single transistor circuit can hold two stages of the binary commands by which computer software is programmed. That is 1 and 0. So 50 billion transistors can hold a very large memory capacity and compute power. An electrical current by battery or a direct powerline activates the transistor configuration of postive and negative atoms, which are controlled by the three layers of each transistor.)

The next question is how is it possible for machines to engineer at such nano and microscales. This is the great secret behind such technological leaps - I like to give it a layman term 'light engineering,' and not so much a layman term 'chemical engineering.'

The silicone used in chips and the materials (polymers) used in lab-on-a-chip are modified chemically to be sensitive to different wavelengths of light and even waves of sound, and these techniques are used in a major part of such miniature engineering.

A chip starts basically as an ingot of silicone, then it is sliced into strips technically called 'wafers' this is coated with photo sensitive material, and then it is put in a lithography machine that has a blueprint known as the 'mask' that gets imprinted on it. This is repeated on layers of silicone; building an electrical circuit for the transistors. Then atoms of different charges are blasted in the electrical patterns made on the silicone. This process takes place in a clean room, dust is hazardous to it for it can damage the chips.

After a set of other modifications the chips are tested and ready to be used in devices. Depending on the tech used in the manufacturing, there could be a few billion to 50 billion transistors nearly the size of atoms in the chip.

The material widely used in lab-on-a-chip are polymers, and they are fabricated with the technology of microfluidics. This means that the lab-chips will have microchannels and chambers where test fluids will be pushed through or stored as the tests go on. Fluids at such microscales behave very differently than what we are used to in observations in large volumes. The science of microfluidics explores and takes advantage of the change in fluid dynamics of the microscale. The microchannels and chambers are etched on the chip using lithography - the same technology used in manufacturing microchips and transistors.

Those lab-chips could have high-tech analytical tools like spectrometers and gas chromography attached to them, and in built pressure systems to move the fluids.

There are also organs-on-a-chip, these mimic microenvironments and the effect on specific organ micro simulation, and are more precise than traditional culture tests. Lab-chips are said to be faster than normal conventional labs, cost much less, reduce human error, and being portable can be of significant impact were medical care is needed but a lab or hospital is not possible.

Lab-on-a-chip are used in blood tests, diagnostics of bacteria and viruses, DNA/RNA and HIV tests, and more applications are being developed.

Micro technology had a revolution in the medical field in the 70s, described as "scientists first had only a street light, where testing was not possible of more than a single gnome at a time, and then we had a floodlight."

This happened after scientific methods of studying atoms in physics was applied to molecular biology, and then chemical engineering branched out into biochemical and biomedical engineering. Scientists made technological breakthroughs and discovered that the human body worked like a very high-tech sophisticated biological machine, and it was possible to apply engineering methods to it - resulting in the science of biochemical engineering and systems biology, etc. Scientists started to look for ways to merge biology with mechanical engineering like prosthetics, artificial organs, and so on.

Arjuwan Lakkdawala is an author and independent researcher in science.

X/Twitter/Instagram: Spellrainia Email: arjuwan.writer@gmail.com

Copyright ©️ Arjuwan Lakkdawala 2024

Sources:

Yale School of Medicine, Yale Medicine Magazine - human body as machine

AIChe, The Global Home of Chemical Engineers - chemical engineers are advancing biomedicine

University of Alberta, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering - biochemical and biomedical engineering

ElveFlow, An ELVESYS Brand - introduction to lab-on-a-chip

ASML, Our Technology, lithography - using light to print tiny patterns on silicon - is a fundamental step in mass producing microchips

News-Medical, Life Sciences - what us microfluidics? by susha cheriyedath, M.Sc., reviewed by Afsaneh khetrapal BSc

ElveFlow, An ELVESYS Brand - definition of microfluidics

Semiconductor Engineering, Deep Insights for the Tech Industry - understanding memory by Alex yoon

Homepage.cs.uri.edu - how computers work the CPU and memory

Royal Society of Chemistry - microfluidic diagnostics for the developing world, xiaole mao and tony jun huang

The Borgen Project, blog latest news - health technologies for developing countries

University Wafer - how to fabricate a computer chip from silicon

Nano Werk - transistors explained - what they are and what they do