Numerical simulation and experimental studies on acoustofluidic separation of microparticles using 3D printed chips

Abstract

Principles of acoustofluidics can be used to manipulate and separate microparticles and cells in microchannels. In this study using numerical simulations, we will be investigating the limits of fundamental assumptions used in acoustofluidic such as a limited acoustic scattered field or fluid flow interaction between the particles/cells. A device-level numerical simulation tool will be used which accounts for the effect of the piezoelectric materials, interactions between the microparticles/cells fluid flow-field and the acoustic-field in the microchannel. Also, in this study, different numerical acoustic and mechanical models of biological cells will be investigated and the conditions (frequency, channel dimensions, etc.), which favor the acoustofluidic separation of cells with similar mechanical properties will be studied numerically. Finally, the results of the numerical simulations will be utilized, and experimental studies will be demonstrated, which separate microparticles/cells in a 3D printed polymeric chip.