In this critical review, we present an overview of the current progress in synthesis of micro and nanostructures by using microfluidics techniques. Emphasis is placed on processes that can be realized on chip, such as polymerization, precipitation, sol–gel, thermolysis and multistep processes. Continuous flow, microfluidic systems show particular promise in controlling size, shape and size distribution of synthesized micro and nanoparticles. Moreover, the use of microfluidics expands the synthesis space (e.g., temperature, pressure, reagents) to conditions not easily accessed in conventional batch procedures and thus, opens new methods for the realization of complex engineered nanostructures and new materials systems. (187 references)

Synthesis of micro and nanostructures in microfluidic systems

Microchemical systems have evolved rapidly over the last decade with extensive chemistry applications. Such systems enable discovery and development of synthetic routes while simultaneously providing increased understanding of underlying pathways and kinetics. We review basic trends and aspects of microsystems as they relate to continuous-flow microchemical synthesis. Key literature reviews are summarized and principles governing different microchemical operations discussed. Current trends and limitations of microfabrication, micromixing, chemical synthesis in microreactors, continuous-flow separations, multi-step synthesis, and integration of analytics are delineated. We conclude by summarizing the major challenges and outlook related to these topics.

Microchemical systems for continuous-flow synthesis

We might be at the turning point where research in microfluidics undertaken in academia and industrial research laboratories, and substantially sponsored by public grants, may provide a range of portable and networked diagnostic devices. In this Progress Report, an overview on microfluidic devices that may become the next generation of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics is provided. First, we describe gaps and opportunities in medical diagnostics and how microfluidics can address these gaps using the example of immunodiagnostics. Next, we conceptualize how different technologies are converging into working microfluidic POC diagnostics devices. Technologies are explained from the perspective of sample interaction with components of a device. Specifically, we detail materials, surface treatment, sample processing, microfluidic elements (such as valves, pumps, and mixers), receptors, and analytes in the light of various biosensing concepts. Finally, we discuss the integration of components into accurate and reliable devices.

Microfluidic Chips for Point‐of‐Care Immunodiagnostics

Two-phase flow microfluidics is emerging as a popular technology for a wide range of applications involving high throughput such as encapsulation, chemical synthesis and biochemical assays. Within this platform, the formation and merging of droplets inside an immiscible carrier fluid are two key procedures: (i) the emulsification step should lead to a very well controlled drop size (distribution); and (ii) the use of droplet as micro-reactors requires a reliable merging. A novel trend within this field is the use of additional active means of control besides the commonly used hydrodynamic manipulation. Electric fields are especially suitable for this, due to quantitative control over the amplitude and time dependence of the signals, and the flexibility in designing micro-electrode geometries. With this, the formation and merging of droplets can be achieved on-demand and with high precision. In this review on two-phase flow microfluidics, particular emphasis is given on these aspects. Also recent innovations in microfabrication technologies used for this purpose will be discussed.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/4/2572/pdf

Droplets Formation and Merging in Two-Phase Flow Microfluidics

Although microfluidics has shown exciting potential, its broad applications are significantly limited by drawbacks of the materials used to make them. In this work, we present a convenient strategy for fabricating whole-Teflon microfluidic chips with integrated valves that show outstanding inertness to various chemicals and extreme resistance against all solvents. Compared with other microfluidic materials [e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)] the whole-Teflon chip has a few more advantages, such as no absorption of small molecules, little adsorption of biomolecules onto channel walls, and no leaching of residue molecules from the material bulk into the solution in the channel. Various biological cells have been cultured in the whole-Teflon channel. Adherent cells can attach to the channel bottom, spread, and proliferate well in the channels (with similar proliferation rate to the cells in PDMS channels with the same dimensions). The moderately good gas permeability of the Teflon materials makes it suitable to culture cells inside the microchannels for a long time.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/20/8162.full.pdf

Whole-Teflon microfluidic chips

A thermal multicomponent lattice Boltzmann model

Examining the effect of binary interaction parameters on VLE modelling using cubic equations of state

Bacterial spores (endospores) are the most resilient form of life and as a result have been invoked as the most likely candidates capable of surviving interplanetary travel. We are designing an in situ instrument to detect and quantify endospores in extreme environments, including Martian environments (i.e., Mars endospore detector, MED). Our detection strategy is based on a chemical marker (dipicolinic acid, DPA), which is unique to bacterial spores, highly concentrated (0.1-1 moles per liter within the spore), and readily detected with a number of spectroscopic methods. In an effort to evolve an in situ instrument design, we are evaluating various extraction and detection protocols for endospores in soils. In general, the protocols consist of endospore lysis (i.e., rupture of cell) to release DPA, extraction of DPA from spores and soil, purification of the extract, and quantification of DPA in terms of spores/gram. Here we report extraction efficiencies and limits of detection for endospores embedded in lab sand, soil from JPL grounds, and soil from the Atacama Desert (Chile) for three protocols: spore lysis by autoclaving followed by aqueous extraction of DPA with (1) UV absorbance spectral determination of DPA or (2) ion chromatography coupled with inline UV absorbance detection of DPA, and (3) spore lysis by acid treatment followed by sublimation extraction of DPA with terbium-DPA luminescence detection

Towards an in-situ endospore detection instrument

As energy densities in electronic devices rapidly increase, improved two-phase microchannel heat exchanger designs are of great interest. However, a better understanding of flow boiling in these regimes is required. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has shown great promise in the simulation of multiphase flows due to its ability to easily capture interfacial dynamics. This is in contrast to the complicated interface-tracking algorithms required when applying traditional computational fluid dynamics approaches to multiphase flow problems. However, while there have been many recent development to the standard thermal, multiphase LBM, wall interactions are typically oversimplified. These simplifications lead to interactions which are only appropriate for isothermal, static simulations. In this work, we extend the wall interaction potential based on the pseudopotential multiphase approach to correctly model the variable wetting behavior that occurs with changing temperatures. This will enable the future modeling of the flow boiling process with thermally-influenced wetting characteristics.Copyright © 2012 by ASME

/pdf/lattice-boltzmann-simulation-of-thermal-multiphase-flows-2nect58jrv.pdf

Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Thermal Multiphase Flows with Dynamic Wall Interactions

Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Thermal Multiphase Flows With Dynamic Wall Interactions

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