How to Control the Microfluidic Flow and Separate the Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Particles in the Runner of a Disc

Abstract

Biochips play an important role in both medical and food industry safety testing. Moreover, magnetic activated cell sorting is a well-established technology for biochip development. However, biochips need to be manufactured by precision instruments, resulting in the high cost of biochips. Therefore, this study used magnetic-activation and mechanics theories to create a novel disc that could manipulate the microfluidic flow, mixing, reaction, and separation on the runner of the disc. The goal of the research was to apply in the field of biomedical detection systems to reduce the cost of biochips and simplify the operation process. The simulation and experimental investigation showed that the pattern of the reaction chamber was stomach-shaped and the reservoir chamber was rectangular-shaped on the disc. The microfluid could be controlled to flow to the reaction chamber from the buffer and sample chamber when the disc spun at 175~200 rpm within three minutes. This was defined as the first setting mode. The microfluid could then be controlled to flow to the reservoir chamber from the reaction chamber when the disc spun at 225 rpm within five to ten minutes. This was defined as the second setting mode. This verified that the pattern design of the disc was optimized for control of the microfluid flow, mixing, reaction, and separation in the runner of the disc by different setting modes.

Design and Fabrication of a Magnetic Actuator for Torque and Force Control Estimated by the ANN/SA Algorithm

“…For biological purposes, the electroless plating technique has been used to make magnetic microparts that can rotate at high speed using a magnetic actuator for functional lab-on-a-chip devices [4]. Microfluidics has also utilized magnetically actuated discs to control the flow, mixing, reaction, and separation of fluid [5]. Furthermore, the conversion of kinetic energy of human movement into electrical power is possible using a coil-spring system [6].…”

ANN-Based Instantaneous Simulation of Particle Trajectories in Microfluidics

“…Therefore, an economic method to predict cell trajectories becomes an urgent need. Researchers have developed tools utilizing computer simulation such as finite element analysis (FEA) to test and optimize their designs before chip fabrication [22][23][24]. In simulations, the biological cells can be treated as particles with parameters mimicking reality, while the particle trajectory simulation result can be used to optimize the design in return until a qualified chip structure is obtained.…”