Recent Development of Micro/Nanofluidic Devices, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B:Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2425

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Interests: microfluidcs and nanofluidics; droplet microfluidics; heat transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Integrated Circuits, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Interests: lab on a chip; biochemical sensor; analytical chemistry; cell separation; microfluidics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, NY 10027, USA
Interests: fluid mechanics; mass transfer; unsteady state reactors; fluid-fluid reactions; nanoparticle synthesis; sensors and actuators; microfluidics; lab on a chip; microfabrication
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Micro/nanofluidic devices, such as micromixers, microreactors, microseparators, microsprayers, and micro/nanosensors, rely on the integration of multiple physical fields (including flow, electric, magnetic, thermal, optical, and acoustic) to control and manipulate particles or fluids in channels and chambers that typically range in size from hundreds of micrometers down to a few nanometers.

In recent years, such devices have attracted significant attention for their potential in various applications, ranging from biochemical reaction, biosensing, and single-cell analysis to next-generation sequencing, microparticle synthesis, drug delivery, energy harvesting, and sample deposition, among others. One of the most significant advances in micro/nanofluidic devices is the integration of multiple functionalities into a single device, such as the combination of mixing, sensing, and separation, which enables the development of highly miniaturized and portable systems with unprecedented levels of performance.

The rapid advances in materials science and fabrication techniques have further expanded the application of micro/nanofluidic devices. This Special Issue of Micromachines is devoted to recent developments in the modeling, design, and fabrication of novel micro/nanofluidic devices, as well as their practical applications in various contexts. This Special Issue will focus on micro/nanofluidic devices that enable microfluid pumping and mixing; particle/droplet manipulation (e.g., particle sorting, separation, droplet generation, droplet capsule release); small-scale reactions (e.g., particle synthesis, immunodetection, PCR); and cell analysis (such as cell culture, cancer cell screening, and single-cell imaging). While these topics are of particular interest, we welcome all contributions that explore advances in micro/nanofluidics, micro/nanofabrication methods, and their potential applications.

Dr. Kailiang Zhang
Dr. Yupan Wu
Dr. Xiangsong Feng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • micromixer
  • microreactor
  • microseparator
  • microsprayer
  • micro/nano sensor
  • micro/nano fabrication
  • droplet manipulation
  • lab on a chip

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3915 KiB  
Article
Analysis of In Situ Electroporation Utilizing Induced Electric Field at a Wireless Janus Microelectrode
by Haizhen Sun, Linkai Yu, Yifan Chen, Hao Yang and Lining Sun
Micromachines 2024, 15(7), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15070819 - 25 Jun 2024
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Abstract
In situ electroporation, a non-invasive technique for enhancing the permeability of cell membranes, has emerged as a powerful tool for intracellular delivery and manipulation. This method allows for the precise introduction of therapeutic agents, such as nucleic acids, drugs, and proteins, directly into [...] Read more.
In situ electroporation, a non-invasive technique for enhancing the permeability of cell membranes, has emerged as a powerful tool for intracellular delivery and manipulation. This method allows for the precise introduction of therapeutic agents, such as nucleic acids, drugs, and proteins, directly into target cells within their native tissue environment. Herein, we introduce an innovative electroporation strategy that employs a Janus particle (JP)-based microelectrode to generate a localized and controllable electric field within a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic device is engineered with an indium tin oxide (ITO)-sandwiched microchannel, where the electric field is applied, and suspended JP microelectrodes that induce a stronger localized electric field. The corresponding simulation model is developed to better understand the dynamic electroporation process. Numerical simulations for both single-cell and chain-assembled cell electroporation have been successfully conducted. The effects of various parameters, including pulse voltage, duration medium conductivity, and radius of Janus microelectrode, on cell membrane permeabilization are systematically investigated. Our findings indicate that the enhanced electric intensity near the poles of the JP microelectrode significantly contributes to the electroporation process. In addition, the distribution for both transmembrane voltage and the resultant nanopores can be altered by conveniently adjusting the relative position of the JP microelectrode, demonstrating a selective and in situ electroporation technique for spatial control over the delivery area. Moreover, the obtained differences in the distribution of electroporation between chain cells can offer insightful directives for the electroporation of tissues or cell populations, enabling the precise and targeted modulation of specific cell populations. As a proof of concept, this work can provide a robust alternative technique for the study of complex and personalized cellular processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Micro/Nanofluidic Devices, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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27 pages, 4412 KiB  
Review
Coupling Agents in Acoustofluidics: Mechanisms, Materials, and Applications
by Shenhao Deng, Yiting Yang, Menghui Huang, Cheyu Wang, Enze Guo, Jingui Qian and Joshua E.-Y. Lee
Micromachines 2025, 16(7), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16070823 - 19 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Acoustic coupling agents serve as critical interfacial materials connecting piezoelectric transducers with microfluidic chips in acoustofluidic systems. Their performance directly impacts acoustic wave transmission efficiency, device reusability, and reliability in biomedical applications. Considering the rapidly growing body of research in the field of [...] Read more.
Acoustic coupling agents serve as critical interfacial materials connecting piezoelectric transducers with microfluidic chips in acoustofluidic systems. Their performance directly impacts acoustic wave transmission efficiency, device reusability, and reliability in biomedical applications. Considering the rapidly growing body of research in the field of acoustic microfluidics, this review aims to serve as an all-in-one reference on the role of acoustic coupling agents and relevant considerations pertinent to acoustofluidic devices for anyone working in or seeking to enter the field of disposable acoustofluidic devices. To this end, this review seeks to summarize and categorize key aspects of acoustic couplants in the implementation of acoustofluidic devices by examining their underlying physical mechanisms, material classifications, and core applications of coupling agents in acoustofluidics. Gel-based coupling agents are particularly favored for their long-term stability, high coupling efficiency, and ease of preparation, making them integral to acoustic flow control applications. In practice, coupling agents facilitate microparticle trapping, droplet manipulation, and biosample sorting through acoustic impedance matching and wave mode conversion (e.g., Rayleigh-to-Lamb waves). Their thickness and acoustic properties (sound velocity, attenuation coefficient) further modulate sound field distribution to optimize acoustic radiation forces and thermal effects. However, challenges remain regarding stability (evaporation, thermal degradation) and chip compatibility. Further aspects of research into gel-based agents requiring attention include multilayer coupled designs, dynamic thickness control, and enhancing biocompatibility to advance acoustofluidic technologies in point-of-care diagnostics and high-throughput analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development of Micro/Nanofluidic Devices, 2nd Edition)
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