Three-dimensional Microchannel Network Research Articles

Programmable and Pixelated Solute Concentration Fields Controlled by Three-Dimensionally Networked Microfluidic Source/Sink Arrays.

Membrane-integrated microfluidic platforms have played a pivotal role in understanding natural phenomena coupled with solute concentration gradients at the micro- and nanoscale, enabling on-chip microscopy in well-defined planar concentration fields. However, the standardized two-dimensional fabrication schemes in microfluidics have impeded the realization of more complex and diverse chemical environmental conditions due to the limited possible arrangements of source/sink conditions in a fluidic domain. In this study, we present a microfluidic platform with a three-dimensional microchannel network design, where discretized membranes can be integrated and individually controlled in a two-dimensional array format at any location within the entire quasi-two-dimensional solute concentration field. We elucidate the principles of the device to implement operations of the pixel-like sources/sinks and dynamically programmable control of various long-lasting solute concentration fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate the application of the generated solute concentration fields in manipulating the transport of micrometer or submicrometer particles with a high degree of freedom, surpassing conventionally available solute concentration fields. This work provides an experimental tool for investigating complex systems under high-order chemical environmental conditions, thereby facilitating the extensive development of higher-performance micro- and nanotechnologies.

Biodegradable scaffold with built-in vasculature for organ-on-a-chip engineering and direct surgical anastomosis.

We report the fabrication of a scaffold (hereafter referred to as AngioChip) that supports the assembly of parenchymal cells on a mechanically tunable matrix surrounding a perfusable, branched, three-dimensional microchannel network coated with endothelial cells. The design of AngioChip decouples the material choices for the engineered vessel network and for cell seeding in the parenchyma, enabling extensive remodelling while maintaining an open-vessel lumen. The incorporation of nanopores and micro-holes in the vessel walls enhances permeability, and permits intercellular crosstalk and extravasation of monocytes and endothelial cells on biomolecular stimulation. We also show that vascularized hepatic tissues and cardiac tissues engineered by using AngioChips process clinically relevant drugs delivered through the vasculature, and that millimeter-thick cardiac tissues can be engineered in a scalable manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that AngioChip cardiac tissues implanted via direct surgical anastomosis to the femoral vessels of rat hindlimbs establish immediate blood perfusion.

Small diameter microchannel of PDMS and complex three-dimensional microchannel network

Abstract Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is an important functional material that has been intensively applied in science research, industry, medical devices, plastic surgery, etc. We presented here a new method of fabricating small diameter microchannels in PDMS without using standard cleanroom techniques such as lithography and etching. The as-fabricated microchannels had a round cross-sectional shape, smooth inner surface, and a diameter from 100 μm down to 9 μm. We demonstrated that these microchannels could be applied to construct complicated, three-dimensional (3D) structures of double helix, knots, as well as interconnection along different directions. Together with the merits of PDMS itself, this flexible and versatile technique showed a promising potential for applications in advanced 3D microfluidic devices, and embedded devices in biosystems.

Stacked centrifugal microfluidic device with three-dimensional microchannel networks and multifunctional capillary bundle structures for immunoassay

A stacked-type centrifugal microfluidic device with three-dimensional (3D) microchannel networks and multifunctional capillary bundle structures is developed, and an immunoassay for the detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) is demonstrated. The device consists of multiple layers of disk-like chips with conventional planar microchannels and vertical capillary bundle structures that are constructed on disks of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methyl methacrylate). The integration of multiple reactors up to 10 reactors on a disk with 8cm in diameter is realized by reducing the area of reservoir but increasing the thickness. Moreover the thick optical detection reservoir is also realized for absorption spectroscopy in the 3D centrifugal microfluidics. 3D liquid valving on the vertical capillary bundle structures and liquid transportation through these structures are successfully demonstrated. The results show the successful control of the multistep liquid injection without problems such as blockage of capillary bundle by bubbles that expected to be caused due to 3D structure. The results of the immunoassay show clear response to analyte concentration suggesting successful unit operations in developed 3D centrifugal microfluidic device for immunoassay. Finally, the advantages and impact of the 3D design for the development of high-performance centrifugal microfluidic systems are summarized.

Micromold-Based Laser Shock Embossing of Metallic Foil: Fabrication of Large-Area Three-Dimensional Microchannel Networks

Micromold-based laser shock embossing is a new three-dimensional (3D) forming technique, which utilizes laser-generated shock wave to shape the workpiece. In this article, the microchannel networks mold was produced by micro-wire electrical discharge machining (Micro-WEDM). Large-area three-dimensional microchannel networks were successfully fabricated on metallic foil surface using laser-generated shock wave. The investigation reveals that 3D microchannel networks have a high spatial resolution at the micron level. The fracture in the forming experiment was also detected. The fabrication cost is independent of the microstructures complexity. Therefore, micromold-based laser shock embossing holds promise for achieving precise, well-controlled, low-cost, high efficiency of 3D metallic microstructures.

X-ray ablation of hyaluronan hydrogels: Fabrication of three-dimensional microchannel networks

We present a simple and highly versatile protocol for polymer ablation: hard x-ray irradiation makes it possible to rapidly depolymerize hyaluronan hydrogels and fabricate three-dimensional network of microchannels. Photodynamic and photochemical analyses show that x-ray irradiation directly cleaves the polymer backbone and the total dose controls the degradation kinetics. This nonthermal ablation protocol may offer opportunities for processing organic polymers and biological materials.

Continuous‐Flow Chemical Processing in Three‐Dimensional Microchannel Network for On‐Chip Integration of Multiple Reactions in a Combinatorial Mode

AbstractChemical syntheses using microchemical chips have been intensively investigated in recent years, but they have still not fully reached the stage of practical use. Combinatorial synthesis has been expected to be one of their useful applications. Benefits of using microchips, such as reduction in quantity of reagents and wastes, are thought to be suited for combinatorial syntheses, where numerous variations of products have to be synthesized each in small amounts. There are two modes of combinatorial syntheses using microchemical chips. One is sequential synthesis, in which reactant solutions are introduced sequentially in various combinations to a reaction microchannel. The other is parallel synthesis, where the number of reaction channels is the same as the number of final products, and starting materials are distributed to all the reaction channels in different combinations. Sequential synthesis has been considered as the more favorable way, because, especially when libraries of starting materials are large, numerous microchannels and complicated pipings for distribution of reagents to the channels are required for the parallel mode. Therefore, research on parallel microcombinatorial syntheses has been done only rarely, whereas there have been many reports of sequential microcombinatorial syntheses. Against this trend, our research group has taken an alternative path and tried to integrate both parallel reaction microchannels onto a glass microchip and channels for distributing reactant solutions to each reaction channel in a combinatorial mode. Microchips fabricated by laminating multiple layers of glass substrates have been used to construct three‐dimensional microchannel networks necessary for mixing reagent flows in different combinations. We utilized low Reynolds number multi‐phase laminar flow and developed micro‐unit operations (MUOs). By combining MUOs in the multi‐phase continuous laminar flows, microchemical systems were constructed. We called this micro‐integration methodology “continuous‐flow chemical processing (CFCP)”, and by using it, a sequence of various operations in chemical syntheses could be integrated on a microchemical chip. Not just simple mixing of two reagents, which was most commonly done in microreactors, but also multi‐step processes including other chemical operations, such as extraction and separation, could be carried out via CFCP. In the first part of this short review article, we explain CFCP with an example. Then, a microchemical chip with a three‐dimensional microchannel network for a parallel reaction system is introduced. Finally, we present a case in which CFCP was realized in a three‐dimensional microchannel network.

Micromixing of Miscible Liquids in Segmented Gas−Liquid Flow

We present an integrated microfluidic system that achieves efficient mixing between two miscible liquid streams by introducing a gas phase, forming a segmented gas-liquid (slug) flow, and completely separating the mixed liquid and gas streams in a planar capillary separator. The recirculation motion associated with segmented flow enhances advection in straight microchannels without requiring additional fabrication steps. Instantaneous velocity fields are quantified by microscopic particle image velocimetry (muPIV). Velocities in the direction normal to the channel amount to approximately 30% of the bulk liquid velocity inside a liquid segment. This value depends only weakly on the length of a liquid segment. Spatial concentration fields and the extent of mixing (EOM) are obtained from pulsed-laser fluorescence microscopy and confocal scanning microscopy measurements. The mixing length is reduced 2-3-fold in comparison with previously reported chaotic micromixers that use three-dimensional microchannel networks or patterned walls. Segmented gas-liquid microflows allow mixing times to be varied over several orders of magnitude between milliseconds and second time scales.

Micro wet analysis system using multi-phase laminar flows in three-dimensional microchannel network.

A three-dimensional microchannel network with two-level crossings of channels was constructed in a glass microchip by sandwiching an insulating glass plate between two glass plates with microchannels followed by thermal bonding. Pressure-driven stable multi-phase laminar flows inside the three-dimensional channel network were realized by balancing flow rates of syringe pumps. Micro unit operations for mixing, reaction, solvent extraction, and detection were properly arranged in the multi-phase laminar flows, so that four parallel analyses, comprising twenty unit operations in total, could be integrated onto a single chip. Two chelating reagents and two sample solutions containing heavy metal ions (Fe(ii) or Co(ii)) were mixed and reacted in four different combinations using the three-dimensional channel network. After chelating reactions were completed, post processing (solvent extraction or addition of acid) was applied to each solution stream to remove the interferences of coexisting metal ions. Finally, target metal complexes were detected using a thermal lens microscope (TLM). Integrity of the micro system was confirmed by qualitative analysis of Fe(ii) and Co(ii). This is the first example of continuous flow chemical processing utilizing multi-phase laminar flow realized in a three-dimensional channel network.

Adsorption of selenium wires in silicalite-1 zeolite: a first order transition in a microporous system.

A tight binding grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation of the adsorption of selenium in silicalite-1 zeolite is presented. The calculated adsorption-desorption isotherms exhibit characteristic features of a first order transition, unexpected for adsorption in a microporous system with pore size of the order of 0.5 to 0.6 nm. We analyze this behavior as a result of the favored twofold coordinated chain structure of selenium that grows inside the complex three-dimensional microchannel network of silicalite. This analysis is confirmed by simpler calculations of a lattice gas-type model.

Glass microchip with three-dimensional microchannel network for 2 x 2 parallel synthesis.

An integrated multireactor system for 2 x 2 parallel organic synthesis has been developed on a single glass microchip. Three-dimensional channel circuits in the chip were fabricated by laminating three glass plate layers. The fabrication method is a straightforward extension of the conventional one, and topological equivalence for any three-dimensional circuits can be constructed easily with it. 2 x 2 phase-transfer amide formation reactions, which constitute a simple model for combinatorial synthesis, were successfully carried out on the microchip, and the integrity of the three-dimensional circuits was confirmed. Combinatorial chemistry with multi-microreactors, in conjunction with a high-throughput screening method based on micro-TAS technologies, is expected to provide an efficient tool for drug discovery.