This paper provides an analysis of microfluidic techniques for the production of nanoscale lipid-based vesicular systems. In particular we focus on the key issues associated with the microfluidic production of liposomes. These include, but are not limited to, the role of lipid formulation, lipid concentration, residual amount of solvent, production method (including microchannel architecture), ...

We combine microfluidic system with digital lithography to achieve high throughput microparticle synthesis and labeling. Microfluidic system supports laminar flow, enabling multiple functional materials in one channel. By innovative application of a dynamic mask, we are able to fabricate microparticles from photocurable resin rapidly in the microfluidic channel. Microparticles with different fu...

Flow cytometry is a technique capable of optically characterizing biological particles in a high-throughput manner. In flow cytometry, three dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing is critical for accurate and consistent measurements. Due to the advantages of microfluidic techniques, a number of microfluidic flow cytometers with 3D hydrodynamic focusing have been developed in recent decades. How...

We demonstrate the use of high-frequency electric fields to guide developing axons within a 3D matrix embedded in a microfluidic device. We have used compartmentalized microfluidic chips to seed neurons and let axons grow in collagen scaffolds placed in microfluidic channels with increasing heights and with patterned electrodes on the bottom. We show that AC electric fields are capable of guidi...

In this paper we report a high throughput clog-free microfluidic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation chip that is based on hydrodynamic shearing. Genomic DNA has been reproducibly fragmented with 2-10 kbp fragment lengths by applying hydraulic pressure ΔP across micromachined constrictions in the microfluidic channels. The utilization of a series of constrictions reduces the variance of t...

We present a novel integration method for packaging silicon photonic sensors with polymer microfluidics, designed to be suitable for wafer-level production methods. The method addresses the previously unmet manufacturing challenges of matching the microfluidic footprint area to that of the photonics, and of robust bonding of microfluidic layers to biofunctionalized surfaces. We demonstrate the ...

This detailed protocol outlines the implementation of image-guided, laser-based hydrogel degradation for the fabrication of vascular-derived microfluidic networks embedded in PEGDA hydrogels. Here, we describe the creation of virtual masks that allow for image-guided laser control; the photopolymerization of a micromolded PEGDA hydrogel, suitable for microfluidic network fabrication and pressur...

Experimental investigations were conducted to determine the influence of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels containing aligned circular obstacles (with diameters of 172 µm and 132 µm) on the flow velocity and pressure drop under steady-state flow conditions. A significant PDMS bulging was observed when the fluid flow initially contacted the obstacles, but this phenomenon decrease...

Although microfluidic chips have demonstrated basic functionality for single applications, performing varied and complex experiments on a single device is still technically challenging. While many groups have implemented control software to drive the pumps, valves, and electrodes used to manipulate fluids in microfluidic devices, a new level of programmability is needed for end users to orchest...