Particle patterning diversity achieved by a PZT device with different experimental configurations

Abstract

The acoustofluidic manipulation of particles/cells has gained significant attention in biomedical applications. Conventional acoustofluidics based on surface acoustic waves (SAWs) require accessing cleanroom facilities and expensive lithography equipment to fabricate the interdigital electrodes, limiting their popularity in applications. In this paper, we proposed a low-cost and accessible lead zirconate titanate (PZT) device combined with glass to generate particle patterns. We have achieved diversified particle patterns including annular and honeycombed shapes either on the PZT device surface or on the glass by coupling acoustic waves into the glass using the ultrasonic gel, and showed that the size and shape of the particle pattern unit could be adjusted by changing the harmonics mode frequency or experimental configurations. The formation mechanisms of particle patterns were analyzed through the simulation of acoustic pressure fields. Additionally, we demonstrated the harmless acoustothermal heating (below 37 °C) to the activity of biological samples at the driving voltage of acoustofluidics.