Journal: Advanced Science

Article Title: Needle‐Plug/Piston‐Based Modular Mesoscopic Design Paradigm Coupled With Microfluidic Device for Point‐of‐Care Pooled Testing

doi: 10.1002/advs.202406076

Figure Lengend Snippet: The mesoscopic design paradigm. a) Structure and operation of the core “needle‐plug/piston” element. The core element undergoes a sequence of sealed‐open‐sealed states as the piston descends, maintaining an exclusive connection with microfluidic channels during fluid release. b) Optimization of piston diameter and H/D (height/diameter) ratio. i) Downforce remains below 4 N with various piston diameters in the same barrel. ii) The effect of the piston H/D ratio and the use of a gasket on the success rate during the piston actuation process. c) Coordinated injection cycles with a spring. Coordinating the core component with a spring enables repeated on‐off injection cycles, ensuring consistent fluid release volume and flow rate without leakage. d) Container tightness and storage time influence. i) Sealing tests of containers filled with deionized water and ethanol. Error bars represent mean ± s.d. (n = 3). ii) Influence of storage time on the biological activity of reaction reagents in containers. PCR premix was stored in containers for 30 days. Every 5 days, the PCR mix was tested for amplification. e) Symbolic representation of the elemental objects. f) Structural and operational principles of core element variants. OUT element features a double‐plug structure, often functioning as a waste container. IN–OUT element includes a shoulder at the top and a vent hole, enabling both the introduction and withdrawal of reagents. ON/OFF element is a valve with two needles and plugs, opening on the first press‐down and closing on the second.

Article Snippet: To remedy this gap using a standardized and versatile solution, we developed a modular‐based mesoscopic design paradigm to function as additional layers attached to any microfluidic systems for dealing with large‐volume‐scale samples and reagents.

Techniques: Sequencing, Injection, Activity Assay, Amplification

Journal: Advanced Science

Article Title: Needle‐Plug/Piston‐Based Modular Mesoscopic Design Paradigm Coupled With Microfluidic Device for Point‐of‐Care Pooled Testing

doi: 10.1002/advs.202406076

Figure Lengend Snippet: Modular‐based mesoscopic design paradigm for fluid operations. a) Versatile element combinations for macro‐scale liquid manipulations (mL) among containers: i) Injection: linking multiple IN elements with an OUT element; ii) Distribution: linking an IN element with multiple OUT elements; iii) Valving: adding ON/OFF elements between the IN and OUTs; iv) Mixing: combining multiple INs and IN–OUT. b) Fluid manipulations (µL) within one container. i) Structure and operational principles of the multi‐release element (S‐IN). The S‐IN features a hollow barrel with multiple pistons isolating various reagents. Applying downward pressure to the top piston sequentially connects the hollow needle at the bottom with each reagent, facilitating their release. ii) Structure and operational principles of the multi‐mix element (MIX). The MIX consists of lyophilized reagents in the lower layer and redissolving buffer in the upper layer. Applying downward pressure to the top piston allows the redissolving buffer to enter the lower layer through grooves on the surface of the barrel. Air from the lower layer is expelled through the vent, facilitating effective mixing. The mixed reagent is then released for subsequent reactions.

Article Snippet: To remedy this gap using a standardized and versatile solution, we developed a modular‐based mesoscopic design paradigm to function as additional layers attached to any microfluidic systems for dealing with large‐volume‐scale samples and reagents.

Techniques: Injection

Journal: Advanced Science

Article Title: Needle‐Plug/Piston‐Based Modular Mesoscopic Design Paradigm Coupled With Microfluidic Device for Point‐of‐Care Pooled Testing

doi: 10.1002/advs.202406076

Figure Lengend Snippet: Design guidelines for seamless integration with diverse microfluidic platforms. a) Three‐step integration of mesoscopic layer structures with microfluidic platforms: 1) To identify the interface and the functionalities for connecting macroscopic reagents; 2) To glue hollow needles for macroscopic components; 3) To attach a well fixture and insert corresponding containers. In the integrated system, fluid‐driven power is provided from the top through a plunger. Components within the system are designed for reagent storage and macroscale manipulations, and the lower microfluidic platform optimizes the connection of different components, facilitating fluidic handling and reactions. b) Droplet generation device. i) Structure and operational principles. V1 contains the aqueous phase and V2 contains the oil phase, both of which are connected to the ends of a T‐shaped channel. The droplet generation process utilizes a diameter ratio of D1:D2 = 1:3 between V1 and V2. Simultaneously pressing down the pistons results in the oil‐phase flow at 450 microliters/hour and the water flow at a speed of 150 microliters/hour. ii) Visualization and particle size distribution of the generated droplets. c) Manual nucleic acid extraction device. i) Procedure for operating the manual nucleic acid extraction device. ii) Structure of the device. V1 to V4 are IN elements for sequentially injecting the sample, the washing buffer I, the washing buffer II, and the elution buffer through a silicone membrane. iii) Sensitivity test of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus extractions using the manual nucleic acid extraction device. Error bars represent mean ± s.d. (n = 3).

Article Snippet: To remedy this gap using a standardized and versatile solution, we developed a modular‐based mesoscopic design paradigm to function as additional layers attached to any microfluidic systems for dealing with large‐volume‐scale samples and reagents.

Techniques: Generated, Extraction, Membrane, Virus

Journal: Micromachines

Article Title: Mixing Performance of a Passive Micromixer Based on Split-to-Circulate (STC) Flow Characteristics

doi: 10.3390/mi15060773

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic diagram of present micromixer: ( a ) front view, ( b ) mixing unit of Case 1, ( c ) mixing unit of Case 2, ( d ) mixing unit of Case 3, and ( e ) flow patterns within a mixing unit of Case 1.

Article Snippet: To meet these objectives, ongoing research is focused on various micromixer designs capable of rapidly and efficiently mixing in microscale dimensions, enhancing the overall performance of microfluidic systems.

Techniques:

Journal: Micromachines

Article Title: Mixing Performance of a Passive Micromixer Based on Split-to-Circulate (STC) Flow Characteristics

doi: 10.3390/mi15060773

Figure Lengend Snippet: Evolution of mixing along the micromixer at Re = 10: ( a ) Case 1, ( b ) Case 2, and ( c ) Case 3.

Article Snippet: To meet these objectives, ongoing research is focused on various micromixer designs capable of rapidly and efficiently mixing in microscale dimensions, enhancing the overall performance of microfluidic systems.

Techniques:

Journal: Micromachines

Article Title: Mixing Performance of a Passive Micromixer Based on Split-to-Circulate (STC) Flow Characteristics

doi: 10.3390/mi15060773

Figure Lengend Snippet: Comparison of the mixing performance of the present micromixer with other passive micromixers: ( a ) DOM vs. Re and ( b ) Δ p vs. Re.

Article Snippet: To meet these objectives, ongoing research is focused on various micromixer designs capable of rapidly and efficiently mixing in microscale dimensions, enhancing the overall performance of microfluidic systems.

Techniques: Comparison