Acoustofluidic technologies for precision control in microfluidic systems
Unmet Need
Achieving precise manipulation of particles, cells, and droplets in microscale liquid systems is a major challenge in life sciences, material sciences, and chemistry. Traditional microfluidic systems, which use hydrophobic channels and pressure differentials to create static flow, are limited in their ability to perform complex manipulations and often necessitate the development of new devices for each specific application. In contrast, acoustofluidic devices integrate acoustic waves with microfluidic systems, allowing for dynamic, refined particle handling and also tunability and reusability of devices.
Technology
Duke inventors have developed a range of patented and patent-pending acoustofluidic technologies for exacting mechanical control on the contents of microfluidic systems. These technologies are intended to be used within existing systems to improve capabilities in the positioning/movement, separation, sorting, injection, and capture of particles and droplets in microfluidic channels. Specifically, by pulsing surface acoustic waves into chambers with well-defined fluid dynamics, contact-free manipulation of particles and droplets is achievable with precision control. These technologies have been demonstrated in multiple applications including exosome separation and isolation, metal nanoparticle synthesis, and microdroplet centrifuge.
Individual Technology Descriptions
Tech 5359 – Through acoustofluidic separation of bioparticles from complex fluids, high throughput isolation of exosomes with a purity of 98.4% and a yield of 82% was demonstrated.
Tech 5408 – Using an array of ultrasound transducers, droplets floating on an inert oil layer can be digitally manipulated without the use of rigid channel structures.
Tech 7380 – By applying surface acoustic waves in opposing directions, induced rotation of particle-loaded microdroplets creates a microscale centrifuge.
Tech 7387 – Complex trapping and manipulation using acoustofluidics allows precise coercion of particles in a confined channel even for flow induction.
Tech 7603 – Acoustic tweezers provide dynamic and large-scale mechanical control over particles and droplets in microfluidic systems with contact-free acoustofluidics.
Tech 7789 – Acoustofluidics can be used to manipulate soft matter, including microscale colloids and cells, through the use of harmonically oscillating acoustic waves.
Tech 7920 – Contact-free positioning and driving of microdroplets into fluidic systems is provided through acoustic wave generation by piezoelectric transducers.
Tech 8430 – With complete particle control using acoustofluidics, it is possible to separate, concentrate, and detect exosomes and nucleotides within liquid microdroplets.
Tech 8518 – Injection of liquids and materials into moving microdroplets within a microfluidic channel is achieved by the pulsation of surface acoustic waves at the injection site.
Tech 8597 – Rapid, efficient, and high-resolution acoustofluidic isolation of viruses from complex biological samples via Bessel beam exitation separation technology.
Advantages
- Contact-free interaction with particles and droplets in microfluidic channels
- Capable of integrating into existing microfluidic systems
- Precision control in fluids at the micron scale
- Low-power consumption