Acoustic-Microfluidic Integration and Biological Applications
A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Acoustofluidics; Acoustic tweezer; Droplet microfluidics; Single cell analysis; Cell immunity; Lab-on-chips; Cell sorting; Single cell manipulation; Cell stimulation.
Interests: electrokinetic microfluidics (computational and experimental); complex fluids (inter alia, polyelectrolytes); micro-rheology in confined spaces; flow-based particle/cell sorting and sensing; applications to lab-on-chips and micro energy conversion
Special Issue Information
Acoustofluidics, also known as "acoustic tweezers," is an emerging interdisciplinary technology that combines microfluidics with ultrasonic waves (bulk or surface acoustic waves) to manipulate fluids and biological specimens at the micro- and nano-scales. Its key innovation lies in using sound-induced forces for precise, contact-free bio-handling with high biocompatibility. Since acoustic waves rely on gentle substrate vibrations, they minimize damage to delicate cells and biomolecules. A major advantage is their ability to penetrate materials, enabling manipulation through barriers such as chip walls or tissues, making them uniquely suited for enclosed systems and potential in vivo applications, such as targeted drug delivery or cell therapy. Furthermore, by adjusting the ultrasonic frequency, acoustofluidics can precisely target objects across a vast size range—from nanoparticles and individual cells to multicellular clusters and tissue fragments. Recent innovations focus on developing sophisticated chip designs for complex fluid handling and high-throughput single-cell analysis, as well as advancing tissue engineering through the precise assembly of 3D biological structures. This combination of biocompatibility, non-invasive operation, and versatile scalability positions acoustofluidics as a transformative platform for lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and minimally invasive therapies.
Dr. Ruoyu Zhong
Dr. Myung-Suk Chun
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Keywords
- Acoustofluidics
- Acoustic tweezer
- Cell manipulation
- Particle patterning
- Precise manipulation
- High resolution manipulation.
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