Researchers have made a groundbreaking advancement in microfluidic technology, introducing a new platform that utilizes ultrasound to manipulate droplets with unprecedented precision and efficiency. The study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, reveals the potential for this platform to revolutionize various fields, including chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering.
The novel microfluidic system relies on the acoustic radiation force generated by ultrasound to manipulate droplets on a hydrophobic mesh. The mesh allows sound waves to pass through while supporting the droplets, and the researchers observed that the droplets were drawn to areas with high sound pressures, even in the air. This innovative approach enables droplet jump heights of up to an impressive 128 mm, significantly surpassing the limitations of conventional digital microfluidic technologies.
One of the key findings of the research is the platform’s ability to move droplets horizontally, merge, and split them, which are crucial functions for any digital microfluidic system. The platform’s versatility was showcased through successful experiments, including the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, demonstrating its potential for various chemical applications. Furthermore, the platform showed lower biofouling than conventional methods, highlighting its suitability for biological experiments.
With its ability to manipulate solid and liquid targets, this new microfluidic platform holds promise for various applications, from developing three-dimensional displays to creating automated experimental systems. Its capabilities may lead to advancements in micro-robotics, additive manufacturing, and laboratory automation, offering a path towards more streamlined and efficient scientific research and experimentation.
References
- Koroyasu, Y., Nguyen, T.-V., Sasaguri, S., Marzo, A., Ezcurdia, I., Nagata, Y., Yamamoto, T., Nomura, N., Hoshi, T., Ochiai, Y., & Fushimi, T. (2023). Microfluidic platform using focused ultrasound passing through hydrophobic meshes with jump availability. PNAS Nexus, 2(7), pgad207. https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad207
- University of Tsukuba. (2023, August 3). Ultrasound-based microfluidic manipulation platform for airborne droplets. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-ultrasound-based-microfluidic-platform-airborne-droplets.html
