The objective of this review is to investigate the potential of functionalized magnetic polymer composites for use in electromagnetic micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for biomedical applications. The properties that make magnetic polymer composites particularly interesting for application in the biomedical field are their biocompatibility, their adjustable mechanical, chemical, and magnetic properties, as well as their manufacturing versatility, e.g., by 3D printing or by integration in cleanroom microfabrication processes, which makes them accessible for large-scale production to reach the general public. The review first examines recent advancements in magnetic polymer composites that possess unique features such as self-healing capabilities, shape-memory, and biodegradability. This analysis includes an exploration of the materials and fabrication processes involved in the production of these composites, as well as their potential applications. Subsequently, the review focuses on electromagnetic MEMS for biomedical applications (bioMEMS), including microactuators, micropumps, miniaturized drug delivery systems, microvalves, micromixers, and sensors. The analysis encompasses an examination of the materials and manufacturing processes involved and the specific fields of application for each of these biomedical MEMS devices. Finally, the review discusses missed opportunities and possible synergies in the development of next-generation composite materials and bioMEMS sensors and actuators based on magnetic polymer composites.

/pdf/recent-advances-in-magnetic-polymer-composites-for-biomems-a-258u2u1e.pdf

Recent Advances in Magnetic Polymer Composites for BioMEMS: A Review

Abstract Nowadays, droplet microfluidics has become widely utilized for high-throughput assays. Efficient mixing is crucial for initiating biochemical reactions in many applications. Rapid mixing during droplet formation eliminates the need for incorporating micromixers, which can complicate the chip design. Furthermore, immediate mixing of substances upon contact can significantly improve the consistency of chemical reactions and resulting products. This study introduces three innovative designs for droplet generators that achieve efficient mixing and produce small droplets. The T-cross and cross-T geometries combine cross and T junction mixing mechanisms, resulting in improved mixing efficiency. Numerical simulations were conducted to compare these novel geometries with traditional T and cross junctions in terms of mixing index, droplet diameter, and eccentricity. The cross-T geometry exhibited the highest mixing index and produced the smallest droplets. For the flow rate ratio of 0.5, this geometry offered a 10% increase in the mixing index and a decrease in the droplet diameter by 10% compared to the T junction. While the T junction has the best mixing efficiency among traditional droplet generators, it produces larger droplets, which can increase the risk of contamination due to contact with the microchannel walls. Therefore, the cross-T geometry is highly desirable in most applications due to its production of considerably smaller droplets. The asymmetric cross junction offered a 8% increase in mixing index and around 2% decrease in droplet diameter compared to the conventional cross junction in flow rate ratio of 0.5. All novel geometries demonstrated comparable mixing efficiency to the T junction. The cross junction exhibited the lowest mixing efficiency and produced larger droplets compared to the cross-T geometry (around 1%). Thus, the novel geometries, particularly the cross-T geometry, are a favorable choice for applications where both high mixing efficiency and small droplet sizes are important. 

pdf/enhanced-mixing-efficiency-and-reduced-droplet-size-with-2neawnodet.pdf

Enhanced mixing efficiency and reduced droplet size with novel droplet generators

The pumping mechanism in multi-inlet microfluidic channels usually requires multiple micropumps to be separately attached to each inlet. Unfortunately, this may create fluid leakage resulting from a considerably high internal pressure. To address this, a passive sub-atmospheric pressure-inducing micropump is proposed and its performance is characterized as a function of the flow rate and the gauge pressure. With this pump, a sufficiently high flow rate is generated, comparable to some active-piezoelectric micropumps. The gauge pressure is exponentially descending with time and can be crudely classified into three regions of high, moderate, and slow pressure-release times. Overall, the stabilized pressure is identified within 70 s < t ≤ 300 s for slow rate mixing while rapid mixing is applicable at t ≤ 70 s. 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/ceat.202200366

Characterization of sub‐atmospheric pressure‐inducing micropump based on flow rate and gauge pressure measurements

Abstract Chemical bioreactions play a significant role in many of the microfluidic devices, and their applications in biomedical science have seen substantial growth. Given that effective mixing is vital for initiating biochemical reactions in many applications, micromixers have become increasingly prevalent for high-throughput assays. In this research, a numerical study using the finite element method was conducted to examine the fluid flow and mass transfer characteristics in novel micromixers featuring an array of pillars. The study utilized two-dimensional geometries. The impact of pillar configuration on mixing performance was evaluated using concentration distribution and mixing index as key metrics. The study explores the effects of pillar array design on mixing performance and pressure drop, drawing from principles such as contraction–expansion and split-recombine. Two configurations of pillar arrays, slanted and arrowhead, are introduced, each undergoing investigation regarding parameters such as pillar diameter, gap size between pillar groups, distance between pillars, and vertical shift in pillar groups. Subsequently, optimal micromixers are identified, exhibiting mixing efficiency exceeding 99.7% at moderate Reynolds number (Re = 1), a level typically challenging for micromixers to attain high mixing efficiency. Notably, the pressure drop remains low at 1102 Pa. Furthermore, the variations in mixing index over time and across different positions along the channel are examined. Both configurations demonstrate short mixing lengths and times. At a distance of 4300 μm from the inlet, the slanted and arrowhead configurations yielded mixing indices of 97.2% and 98.9%, respectively. The micromixers could provide a mixing index of 99.5% at the channel’s end within 8 s. Additionally, both configurations exceeded 90% mixing indices by the 3 s. The combination of rapid mixing, low pressure drop, and short mixing length positions the novel micromixers as highly promising for microfluidic applications. 

Optimization of passive micromixers: effects of pillar configuration and gaps on mixing efficiency

Magnetohydrodynamic mixing was evaluated as an alternative to conventional high shear mixing in the preparation of carbomer hydrogels containing 1.22 wt.% Carbopol® 980 NF. Neutralization of the carbomer dispersion (pH = 2.74) with triethanolamine (TEA) enabled to adjust the pH of the mixture and tune the viscosity of the hydrogel. Using high shear mixing, this approach was limited to 0.2 wt.% TEA (pH = 3.83) as the gel became too viscous and the recirculation flow dropped from 12 to 0.3 m3/h. Magnetohydrodynamic mixing enabled to reach TEA concentrations up to 1.0 wt.% (pH = 5.31). Apparent viscosity measurements on samples having 0.2 wt.% TEA revealed lower viscosities for carbomer hydrogels prepared with high shear mixing, i.e. 6,800 mPa·s versus 8,800 mPa for magneto-hydrodynamic mixing. Based on 1H NMR evidence, this decrease in apparent viscosity was attributed to structural damage to the carbomer backbone in combination with mechanochemical degradation of the added TEA. 

Magneto-Hydrodynamic Mixing: a New Technique for Preparing Carbomer Hydrogels

The proposed cylindrical magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) micromixer developed in this study was a geometrically modified conventional T-micromixer combining the characteristics of passive and active micromixers. Characterization was achieved by observing the mixing efficiencies of NaCl solution (1% concentration) based on supplied electrical potential and inlet flow rates. The design mainly aimed to utilize the pumping capability of the magneto-hydrodynamic principle as a secondary element to give counter pumping energy towards inlet flows, such that perturbation of fluid increased mixing performance. NaCl solution was mixed by advection through the stretching and folding by micro-vortices generated in the mixing reservoir. The cylindrical MHD micromixer achieved its highest mixing index of 99.42% at Re = 40 with 3 V of direct-current potential (VDC) supplied to the electrodes. Mixing efficiency increased in a considerably similar and linear pattern for Re = 5, 10, 20, and 40 within the electrical potential range of 0.5 ≤ V ≤ 3.0. Control was gained by manipulating the external electrical potential source which only required a smaller capacity of direct-current voltage sources. Overall, the proposed cylindrical MHD micromixer, which emphasizes the use of inexpensive material and simple design, has been experimentally proven to be practical as compared to the passive and active micromixers found in the literature.

Enhanced mixing in dual-mode cylindrical magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) micromixer

Experimental and numerical study on thin silicon wafer CO2 laser cutting and damage investigation

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Enhanced mixing in dual-mode cylindrical magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) micromixer

Experimental and numerical study on thin silicon wafer CO2 laser cutting and damage investigation