Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays
Inertial microfluidics, as an efficient method for the manipulation of micro-/nanoparticles, has garnered significant attention due to its advantages of high throughput, structural simplicity, no need for external fields, and sheathless operation. Common structures include straight channels, contrac...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/83 |
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| author | Di Huang Yan Zhao Chao Cao Jiyun Zhao |
| author_facet | Di Huang Yan Zhao Chao Cao Jiyun Zhao |
| author_sort | Di Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Inertial microfluidics, as an efficient method for the manipulation of micro-/nanoparticles, has garnered significant attention due to its advantages of high throughput, structural simplicity, no need for external fields, and sheathless operation. Common structures include straight channels, contraction–expansion array (CEA) channels, spiral channels, and serpentine channels. In this study, we developed a CEA channel embedded with hook-shaped microstructures to modify the characteristics of vortices. Through experimental studies, we investigated the particles’ migration mechanisms within the proposed structure. The findings indicated that, in comparison to conventional rectangular microstructures, the particles within the hook-shaped microstructured CEA channels experienced a more pronounced influence from inertial lift forces. Moreover, the magnitude of the second flow within the novel configuration was directly proportional to the channel width, the length of the expansion segment, and the embedding depth of the microstructure. The innovative structure was subsequently employed for particle trapping, focusing, and separation. The experimental outcomes revealed focusing efficiency of up to 99.1% and sorting efficiency of up to 97%. This research holds the potential to enhance the foundational theory of Dean flows and broaden the application spectrum of inertial contraction–expansion microfluidic chips. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dfc5336368a344a7b3bdba503aec3d67 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj-art-dfc5336368a344a7b3bdba503aec3d672025-01-24T13:42:05ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-01-011618310.3390/mi16010083Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped ArraysDi Huang0Yan Zhao1Chao Cao2Jiyun Zhao3School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaInertial microfluidics, as an efficient method for the manipulation of micro-/nanoparticles, has garnered significant attention due to its advantages of high throughput, structural simplicity, no need for external fields, and sheathless operation. Common structures include straight channels, contraction–expansion array (CEA) channels, spiral channels, and serpentine channels. In this study, we developed a CEA channel embedded with hook-shaped microstructures to modify the characteristics of vortices. Through experimental studies, we investigated the particles’ migration mechanisms within the proposed structure. The findings indicated that, in comparison to conventional rectangular microstructures, the particles within the hook-shaped microstructured CEA channels experienced a more pronounced influence from inertial lift forces. Moreover, the magnitude of the second flow within the novel configuration was directly proportional to the channel width, the length of the expansion segment, and the embedding depth of the microstructure. The innovative structure was subsequently employed for particle trapping, focusing, and separation. The experimental outcomes revealed focusing efficiency of up to 99.1% and sorting efficiency of up to 97%. This research holds the potential to enhance the foundational theory of Dean flows and broaden the application spectrum of inertial contraction–expansion microfluidic chips.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/83microfluidicscontraction–expansion array microchannelhook-shaped arraysinertial migration |
| spellingShingle | Di Huang Yan Zhao Chao Cao Jiyun Zhao Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays Micromachines microfluidics contraction–expansion array microchannel hook-shaped arrays inertial migration |
| title | Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays |
| title_full | Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays |
| title_fullStr | Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays |
| title_short | Efficient Particle Manipulation Using Contraction–Expansion Microchannels Embedded with Hook-Shaped Arrays |
| title_sort | efficient particle manipulation using contraction expansion microchannels embedded with hook shaped arrays |
| topic | microfluidics contraction–expansion array microchannel hook-shaped arrays inertial migration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/83 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dihuang efficientparticlemanipulationusingcontractionexpansionmicrochannelsembeddedwithhookshapedarrays AT yanzhao efficientparticlemanipulationusingcontractionexpansionmicrochannelsembeddedwithhookshapedarrays AT chaocao efficientparticlemanipulationusingcontractionexpansionmicrochannelsembeddedwithhookshapedarrays AT jiyunzhao efficientparticlemanipulationusingcontractionexpansionmicrochannelsembeddedwithhookshapedarrays |