Complex 3D microfluidic architectures formed by mechanically guided compressive buckling

Abstract

Mechanically guided assembly techniques yield complex 3D microvascular networks with multifunctional characteristics.

Electrospun nanofibers for bone regeneration: from biomimetic composition, structure to function

“…Microfluidic technology, capitalizing on their precise manipulation of microscale fluid flow, has emerged as a powerful tool for the high-throughput production of monodisperse microgels. 282 Owing to the advantages of adjustable size control, rapid preparation speed, a complex and controllable structure and function, particularly the ability of maintaining the activity of the bioactive substances, microfluidic microspheres demonstrated potential in biomedical applications for making the delivery of drugs and cells more controllable, efficient and flexible. As a result, the combination with microfluidics can endow the electrospun nanofibers with the desired bioactivity for bone generation.…”

Smart bioelectronics and biomedical devices

“…To overcome the limitations of planar device geometries which are often incompatible with biological systems, recent bioelectronics employ conformal additive stamp (CAS) printing technology to transfer complex silicon electronics onto non-flat surfaces [23]. Another strategy of significant interest is the employment of mechanically guided buckling [24,25] which scalable, high-resolution fabrication of 3D structures. To conform with biological tissues or blood vessels [26], flexible bioelectronics can also be wrapped around arteries of various sizes to allow the accurate measurement of blood flow.…”

Plant-inspired TransfOrigami microfluidics

“…When the external conditions are favorable for the photoreaction, the feedback results in an enhanced photosynthetic conversion and vice versa. As the first of its kind, stimuli-responsive morphing microsystems, our TOM will inspire applications in energy, robotics, or biomedicine that require environmental adaptations, such as artificial vascular networks or flexible electronics with adaptive rhythmic movements ( 40 , 45 , 46 ).…”

“…Nonetheless, current microfluidic devices use responsive materials only as localized components, such as light-controlled valves or flow-switching channels, rather than in the overall morphing of a microfluidic device (34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39). To implement a preset overall three-dimensional (3D) morphing, the device's dimensions, the positions of the responsive materials embedded in the device, and the target operation in response must be engineered specifically (40). Combining with the ancient art of origami, the desired 3D structures not only can be constructed from precursors via 2D processing techniques but also can mutually convert between a fully deployed 2D plane and a compact 3D form by folding and unfolding (29,31,(41)(42)(43)(44).…”