Hydrodynamic Microparticle Separation Mechanism Using Three-Dimensional Flow Profiles in Dual-Depth and Asymmetric Lattice-Shaped Microchannel Networks

Abstract

We herein propose a new hydrodynamic mechanism of particle separation using dual-depth, lattice-patterned asymmetric microchannel networks. This mechanism utilizes three-dimensional (3D) laminar flow profiles formed at intersections of lattice channels. Large particles, primarily flowing near the bottom surface, frequently enter the shallower channels (separation channels), whereas smaller particles flowing near the microchannel ceiling primarily flow along the deeper channels (main channels). Consequently, size-based continuous particle separation was achieved in the lateral direction in the lattice area. We confirmed that the depth of the main channel was a critical factor dominating the particle separation efficiencies, and the combination of 15-μm-deep separation channels and 40-μm-deep main channels demonstrated the good separation ability for 3–10-μm particles. We prepared several types of microchannels and successfully tuned the particle separation size. Furthermore, the input position of the particle suspension was controlled by adjusting the input flow rates and/or using a Y-shaped inlet connector that resulted in a significant improvement in the separation precision. The presented concept is a good example of a new type of microfluidic particle separation mechanism using 3D flows and may potentially be applicable to the sorting of various types of micrometer-sized objects, including living cells and synthetic microparticles.

Public-Health-Driven Microfluidic Technologies: From Separation to Detection

“…Ma et al [ 67 ] investigated the separation performance of an as PFF device by employing an immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM), and the results showed that an adaptive regulating flux can be determined for each case to sort the cell mixture effectively. Yanai et al [ 68 ] proposed a new hydrodynamic mechanism of particle separation in asPFF microchannel networks based on three-dimensional (3D) laminar flow profiles formed at intersections of lattice channels, and they confirmed that the depth of the main channel was critical for the particle separation efficiencies.…”

Cell Separations and Sorting

“…(D) Dual depth, lattice-shaped channel network for (a) particle sorting, (b) transport of particles in the lattice region, and (c, d) particle movement between shallow and deep channels and into the main channels. Reproduced from Yanai, T.; Ouchi, T.; Yamada, M.; Seki, M. Micromachines (Basel) 2019 , 10 ( 6), 425 (ref ). Coyright 2019 The authors.…”

“…The device utilized threedimensional (3D) hydrodynamic flows to accomplish separation of various sized particles. The dual-depth lattices enabled Yanai et al 135 to create an anisotropic flow distribution at microchannel crossing points. Main channels were slanted, whereas the perpendicular separation channels were shallower.…”

Applications of Converged Various Forces for Detection of Biomolecules and Novelty of Dielectrophoretic Force in the Applications

“…Fluid properties, such as flow rate, viscosity, density, and the various structures of microfluidic channels, produce a variety of fluid flows affecting the motion of particles in the fluid [47]. The forces affecting particle motion based on various fluid flows are defined as hydrodynamic force, and there are various particle separation mechanisms based on those forces such as deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), pinched-flow fractionation (PFF), dean-flow fractionation (DFF) and so on [48][49][50].…”