Application of a Micro Free-Flow Electrophoresis 3D Printed Lab-on-a-Chip for Micro-Nanoparticles Analysis

Abstract

<jats:p>The present work describes a novel microfluidic free-flow electrophoresis device developed by applying three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to rapid prototype a low-cost chip for micro- and nanoparticle collection and analysis. Accurate reproducibility of the device design and the integration of the inlet and outlet ports with the proper tube interconnection was achieved by the additive manufacturing process. Test prints were performed to compare the glossy and the matte type of surface finish. Analyzing the surface topography of the 3D printed device, we demonstrated how the best reproducibility was obtained with the glossy device showing a 5% accuracy. The performance of the device was demonstrated by a free-flow zone electrophoresis application on micro- and nanoparticles with different dimensions, charge surfaces and fluorescent dyes by applying different separation voltages up to 55 V. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and ultraviolet−visible spectroscopy (UV−Vis) analysis were performed on particles collected at the outlets. The percentage of particles observed at each outlet was determined in order to demonstrate the capability of the micro free-flow electrophoresis (µFFE) device to work properly in dependence of the applied electric field. In conclusion, we rapid prototyped a microfluidic device by 3D printing, which ensured micro- and nanoparticle deviation and concentration in a reduced operation volume and hence suitable for biomedical as well as pharmaceutical applications.</jats:p>

Miniaturized free‐flow electrophoresis: production, optimization, and application using 3D printing technology

“…Future studies might seek to validate further modes of μFFE (e.g., isotachophoresis or isoelectric focusing) or to separate further biological samples, such as proteins. Our study shows one major advantage of 3D printing due to the freedom of design and thus the possibility of directly integrating and connecting functional modules, for example, by direct incorporation of threaded fittings and interfaces [35,50]. Yet, the dimensions of the 3D‐printed structures are limited by the printer resolution and are currently larger than those of PDMS microfluidics fabricated by soft lithography.…”

“…Barrier-free, fluidic solutions require precise flow control and have been used in the (to date) only two μFFE designs that are based on 3D printing [11,12,26,35]. Moreover, all published 3D-printed μFFE devices depend on an assembly of a top and a bottom part.…”

The separation sciences, the front end to proteomics: An historical perspective

“…Miniaturized FFE devices have also been developed using microfluidics (Kohlheyer, Eijkel, van den Berg, & Schasfoort, 2008) and 3D printing (Anciaux, Geiger, & Bowser, 2016; Barbaresco, Cocuzza, Pirri, & Marasso, 2020). These devices are compatible with sample sizes of only a few nanoliters, especially important for clinical analysis where often only low sample volumes are available.…”

Integration of a Dielectrophoretic Tapered Aluminum Microelectrode Array with a Flow Focusing Technique

“…The advantages of this method are portability, only a small amount of sample is required, low cost and low time consumption compared with the conventional method [ 1 , 2 ]. The difference in size, density [ 3 , 4 ], magnetic properties [ 5 ] and dielectric properties [ 6 , 7 ] can manipulate the targeted particles from their sample.…”