Search Results (2,390)

Precise manipulation of two-phase flow in micro-confined electrowetting pixels is limited by contact angle hysteresis (CAH). To elucidate this non-equilibrium process, we establish a high-fidelity electrohydrodynamic (EHD) phase-field simulation framework. The model rigorously couples Navier–Stokes equations with molecular kinetic theory (MKT) to characterize energy dissipation at the three-phase contact line (TCL) and further integrates charge transport kinetics. Numerical results reveal CAH is driven by physical pinning and interfacial charge trapping, with the latter dominating interfacial retreat and causing significant residual displacement. Furthermore, analysis shows alternating current (AC) waveforms mitigate charge accumulation and promote depinning via micro-oscillations, minimizing the hysteresis loop compared to direct current (DC) waveforms. Additionally, an overdrive strategy utilizing a suprathreshold Maxwell stress pulse rapidly overcomes static friction. This strategy significantly improves transient dynamics, substantially reducing the time to reach 90% of the steady-state target from 19.6 ms (under standard DC waveform driving) to 7.4 ms. This work provides a comprehensive theoretical basis and design criteria for optimizing active driving strategies in optofluidic and digital microfluidic systems. Full article

Microplastics released from synthetic textiles are increasingly recognized as an important source of environmental contamination and a potential pathway of their entry into soil–plant systems. This study quantified microfibre release from warp-knitted polyester fabric during domestic washing and investigated the migration behaviour of microplastics within root epidermis-like structures using a combined experimental and numerical approach. Microfibre emission was determined gravimetrically according to ISO 4484-1:2023. The average release per washing cycle was 0.6 ± 0.5 g of microfibres per kilogram of polyester textile. Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirmed that the released particles consisted of polyethylene terephthalate. Scanning electron microscopy of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) roots revealed a well-defined epidermal and cortical tissue organization, which served as a basis for designing simplified epidermis-inspired microchannel geometries. Numerical simulations and microfluidic experiments showed that microplastics predominantly follow streamline-oriented pathways under laminar flow conditions. However, particle accumulation can induce localized clogging within pore-like structures, modifying flow pathways and redirecting particle transport. These results indicate that root epidermal tissues may function as a partial filtration barrier that restricts the transport of larger microplastics while allowing smaller particles to migrate through outer root layers. Full article

Personalized transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) represent a transformative approach in precision medicine by enabling patient-specific, non-invasive, and controlled therapeutic administration. Conventional transdermal patches are limited by fixed dosing, passive diffusion, and interindividual variability in skin permeability and metabolism, often leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Recent advances in materials science, nanotechnology, microneedle engineering, and digital health have enabled the development of next-generation personalized TDDS capable of programmable, adaptive, and feedback-controlled drug release. Smart wearable patches integrating biosensors, microfluidics, microneedles, and wireless connectivity allow real-time monitoring of physiological and biochemical parameters, enabling closed-loop drug delivery tailored to individual metabolic profiles. Nanocarriers such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels further enhance drug stability, penetration, and controlled release, while 3D-printing technologies facilitate patient-specific customization of patch geometry, drug loading, and release kinetics. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools are increasingly being employed to predict drug permeation behavior, optimize enhancer combinations, and personalize dosing regimens based on pharmacogenomic and pharmacokinetic data. Despite these advances, regulatory complexity, manufacturing standardization, long-term biocompatibility, and cybersecurity considerations remain critical challenges for clinical translation. This review highlights recent innovations in personalized TDDS, discusses their clinical potential, and examines regulatory and technological barriers. Collectively, these emerging smart transdermal platforms offer a promising pathway toward adaptive, patient-centered therapeutics that can significantly improve treatment efficacy, safety, and compliance. Future research should focus on integrating multimodal biosensing, advanced biomaterials, scalable manufacturing strategies, and robust regulatory frameworks to enable clinically validated, fully autonomous transdermal systems that can dynamically adapt to real-time patient needs in diverse therapeutic settings. Full article

The development of high-throughput technologies for the separation and labeling of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from whole blood is critical for downstream EV detection and analysis. However, conventional EV separation and labeling workflows are typically labor-intensive and inefficient, requiring multiple sequential processing steps. Here, we present a microfluidic platform that integrates negative magnetophoresis-based separation with mixing-enhanced on-chip labeling. The chip adopts a vertical flow channel architecture in combination with a Halbach-array magnetic field configuration, thereby overcoming the throughput limitations inherent to traditional horizontal microchannels. Parallel channels can be freely arranged above on the magnetic array to achieve ultra-high throughput processing, achieving a cell removal efficiency of 99.97% at a blood-to-sheath flow ratio of 1:5. Furthermore, by incorporating a narrow-wide channel design synergized with a herringbone–Tesla micromixer structure, the platform achieves a labeling efficiency of 91.8% within 2 min, approaching the performance of conventional 20 min incubation. This system offers both high-throughput and integration capabilities, providing a powerful technical platform for EV-related life science research. Full article

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are essential biomarkers for cancer prognosis, yet their extreme rarity and biological heterogeneity pose significant challenges for label-free detection. This study presents an automated, non-invasive classification framework integrating a self-assembly cell array (SACA) microfluidic chip with hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and deep learning. By utilizing the SACA chip’s 5 µm gap design, patient-derived blood samples were organized into a flattened monolayer, ensuring high-purity spectral acquisition by minimizing cell overlapping. We implemented two deep-learning pipelines: an Attention-Based Adaptive Spectral–Spatial Kernel ResNet (A²S²K-ResNet) for pixel-level feature extraction and a modified ResNet50 for structural image analysis. While spectral classification achieved ~80% accuracy for cultured cell lines, its performance on patient-derived CTCs was hindered by subtle spectral overlap with white blood cells (WBCs). To overcome this, a multi-band ensemble strategy using majority voting across seven optimized spectral bands (470–900 nm) was developed. This hybrid approach significantly enhanced detection robustness, achieving an overall accuracy of >93.5% and precision exceeding 92%. These results demonstrate that combining microfluidic spatial control with multi-band deep learning offers a reliable, label-free pipeline for clinical liquid biopsy and real-time cancer monitoring. Full article

This study examines the effect of microfluidization on the physicochemical properties, stability, release behavior, and cytocompatibility of cannabidiol (CBD) nanoemulsions intended for topical application. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid characterized by anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity; however, its therapeutic use is limited by low solubility and poor bioavailability. To address these limitations, nanoemulsions were formulated using avocado oil and Tween 80 and optimized through a Box–Behnken experimental design evaluating microfluidization pressure (5000–20,000 PSI), CBD concentration (0–2%), and oil content (8–10%). Nanoemulsions were characterized over a 60-day period in terms of droplet size, dispersity index (D), and zeta potential. An increase in processing pressure led to a reduction in both droplet size and dispersity, with optimal conditions identified between 11,000 and 15,000 PSI. Higher oil and CBD concentrations were associated with an increase in the magnitude of the zeta potential, contributing to electrostatic stabilization of the system. Encapsulation efficiency reached approximately 81.4%. Cell viability assays in HaCaT keratinocytes indicated no significant cytotoxic effects. The optimized formulation exhibited a sigmoidal CBD release profile best described by Weibull and Gompertz models (R² ≈ 0.99), suggesting combined diffusion and interfacial mechanisms that support efficient topical delivery. Full article

Inertial microfluidics is promising for the high throughput, label-free continuous separation of multicomponent microparticles. However, conventional single spiral microchannels struggle to separate three or more particle types, while traditional cascaded systems relying on sheath fluids or multiple pumps suffer from increased operational complexity. To address this, we propose a cascaded dual spiral microfluidic chip based on passive flow resistance matching. Driven by a single syringe pump without sheath flow, it achieves continuous sorting of three particle types. An adaptive flow resistance network is incorporated: the first stage channel maintains high velocity to preferentially extract large particles via strong inertial lift forces. The fluid then enters the second stage through a predetermined geometric resistance for automatic deceleration. Experiments demonstrate that at 1.6 mL/min, the system achieves continuous separation of a 1:10:10 mixture of 15, 10, and 5 µm microparticles. The 15 µm target recovery rate reaches 92%, while the collection purities for 10 µm and 5 µm particles exceed 98% and 99%, respectively. This purely passive fluidic architecture simplifies cascaded sorting, providing a robust engineering solution for complex multicomponent sample preprocessing. Full article

Droplet microfluidics has been widely used in biological, chemical, and medical research owing to its advantages of miniaturization, high throughput, and low reagent consumption. However, limited sensitivity and optical path length in on-chip absorbance detection remain major challenges for droplet-based microfluidic analysis. Traditional absorbance detection suffers from low sensitivity due to the extremely short optical path in microfluidic channels, while existing optical path extension methods have drawbacks such as complex fabrication, easy droplet rupture, or strict incident angle requirements. To address these issues, this study developed a droplet microfluidic absorbance detection platform integrating optical fibers, on-chip micromirrors, external fluidic actuation, and an absorbance detection module. Microchannel sidewalls filled with low-melting-point metal act as mirrors; the multi-reflection optical path, combined with optical fibers and micromirrors, compensates for insufficient light manipulation and effectively extends the absorption path length, improving sensitivity and accuracy. Using this method, the detection limit for methylene blue solution was 20 μM, and the sensitivity for Escherichia coli (E. coli) suspension was doubled compared with traditional Nanodrop OD600 measurement. This device features low fabrication difficulty and cost and stable detection, providing a proof-of-concept strategy for enhanced absorbance detection in droplet microfluidic systems. Full article

Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, has emerged as a cornerstone biomaterial in drug delivery and regenerative medicine due to its intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low immunogenicity. Engineering collagen into microspheres transforms its functionality beyond bulk scaffolds by increasing surface area, enabling minimally invasive delivery, and providing precise control over degradation, mechanical properties, and therapeutic release. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of collagen-based microspheres, with a particular focus on their dual role as biomimetic microenvironments and delivery systems. Recent advances in fabrication strategies, including emulsification, microfluidics, spray-drying, and electrospraying, are discussed in the context of scalability, size control, and payload encapsulation. Composite approaches that incorporate bioactive minerals, polysaccharides, or synthetic polymers are highlighted for their ability to enhance mechanical performance and biological function. We further examine characterization frameworks that link microscale structure and physicochemical properties to biological outcomes, with emphasis on how collagen microspheres replicate key structural, mechanical, and signaling features of native tissue microenvironments. Collagen microspheres have demonstrated broad utility as controlled delivery platforms, cell-instructive microcarriers, and injectable systems for tissue regeneration, including applications in bone, cartilage, skin, and nerve repair, as well as advanced wound care and localized cancer therapy. Finally, we critically assess current challenges related to scalable manufacturing, sterilization compatibility, and batch reproducibility, and outline emerging solutions such as recombinant collagen, advanced biofabrication, and stimuli-responsive systems. Collectively, collagen microspheres represent a powerful and adaptable platform poised to advance next-generation regenerative and therapeutic technologies. Full article

Food safety requires real-time monitoring of mycotoxins in food, as food products contaminated with these toxins poses major threat to human health. In this study, we proposed a remote-controlled microfluidic platform (RCMP) integrated with chemiluminescent/colorimetric detection system for rapid, cost-effective and real-monitoring of multiple mycotoxins in real samples based on the indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA). The RCMP enabled sensitive and automatic detection of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in the range of 4–128 ng/mL, 1–32 ng/mL, and 0.5–16 ng/mL, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 2.881 ng/mL for DON, 0.702 ng/mL for ZEA, and 0.470 ng/mL for FB1. In further validation, satisfactory recoveries between 93.57% to 108.47% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 6.92–11.39% were obtained in beer samples. Overall, RCMP provides an automatic, high-throughput and cost-effective method for detection of DON, ZEA, and FB1 and can be confidently applied for monitoring in beer samples. Full article

Droplet manipulation constitutes a fundamental operation in numerous bio-microfluidic applications, including but not limited to medical diagnostics and targeted drug delivery. Among the various technologies developed for this purpose, magnetic digital microfluidics (MDMF) has emerged as a compelling approach due to its inherent advantages of contamination-free actuation, low cost, and configurational flexibility. Nevertheless, conventional MDMF remains constrained by its reliance on bulky instrumentation and substantial power consumption for generating controllable magnetic fields, which limit its in-field applications. To address these limitations, this work presents a programmable and portable electromagnetic microfluidic droplet manipulation platform that synergistically integrates static and dynamic magnetic fields to enable non-contact, high-precision droplet control under ultra-low power conditions. The proposed system comprises an electromagnetic actuation module, a permanent magnet, and a glass substrate coated with Teflon film. The entire system is secured by a PMMA support structure, within which a glass substrate is mounted and spatially separated from the permanent magnet. The PMMA support is fabricated using a milling process, offering a simple manufacturing procedure and high structural reusability and reproducibility. The control logic is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) development board, facilitating fully autonomous operation powered by a standard battery. The platform operates at a low voltage of 3.5 V and a driving current of 180 mA, corresponding to a total power consumption of merely 0.63 W, while achieving robust manipulation of droplets in the volume range of 0.5 to 5 μL. A maximum average droplet velocity of up to 0.6 cm/s was attained under optimal conditions. The proposed platform offers a scalable and energy-efficient solution for portable droplet-based assays and holds significant promise for integration into point-of-care diagnostic tools and field-ready biochemical analysis systems. The platform demonstrates excellent operational stability and reproducibility, as validated by repeated actuation experiments with a positioning deviation of approximately 0.1 mm under optimized conditions. The fabrication process also exhibits high reliability with consistent performance across multiple experimental runs. Full article

Thoracic aortopathies, including aneurysm and dissection, are complex vascular disorders characterized by structural alterations of the aortic wall that disrupt normal haemodynamics. Altered shear stress, turbulent flow, and endothelial dysfunction promote thrombus formation and modulate systemic hemostasis via platelet activation and the von Willebrand factor–ADAMTS13 axis. The Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) is a microfluidic, flow-dependent assay that quantitatively evaluates thrombus formation under physiological shear conditions. Although studied in various cardiovascular contexts, its application in aortopathies remains largely unexplored, and no prospective studies have validated its clinical utility. Integrating T-TAS with computational haemodynamic approaches, such as two-way fluid–structure interaction simulations, enables assessment of the interplay between blood flow, vessel wall mechanics, pulse wave propagation, and local shear patterns. Patient-specific modelling, including individualized flow profiles, pressure distributions, and wall properties, may enhance mechanistic insights. Genetic variants in Fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1), Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1/2 (TGFBR1/2), Actin Alpha 2 (ACTA 2), and Myosin Heavy Chain 11 (MYH11) further contribute to structural vascular heterogeneity and diverse systemic haemostatic phenotypes, highlighting the need for personalized assessment. T-TAS should currently be considered an exploratory research tool rather than a validated diagnostic or prognostic method. This narrative review proposes a hypothesis-generating framework integrating structural, haemodynamic, molecular, and functional perspectives. Combining flow-based thrombosis assays with advanced modelling may inform future translational studies, improve mechanistic understanding of thrombus formation, and support personalized risk stratification and management in patients with thoracic aortopathies. Full article

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely regarded as the gold standard for nucleic acid analysis; however, conventional thermal cycling limits its applicability in rapid and compact analytical systems. Here, we report an oscillating-flow microfluidic PCR method that enables rapid and flexible amplification by repeatedly shuttling the reaction mixture between two fixed-temperature zones. Unlike continuous-flow PCR, the proposed approach decouples PCR cycle number from microchannel geometry, allowing programmable cycling while reducing chip footprint. To enhance analytical reliability, polymer-assisted surface passivation using polyvinylpyrrolidone was employed to suppress nonspecific adsorption in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels, significantly improving amplification efficiency. Using Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola as representative periodontal pathogens, 35-cycle amplification was completed within 20 min with reliable product yield. The proposed method advances oscillating-flow PCR toward a robust analytical strategy for rapid pathogen detection and related microfluidic nucleic acid analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nerolidol (NER) is a sesquiterpene alcohol with recognized antimicrobial potential, whose applications as a pure substance are limited by hydrophobicity, instability, and cytotoxicity. Invasomes, i.e., liposomes with terpene ingredients, offer a strategy to improve their delivery; however, the NER loading limits compatible with vesicle integrity are still unclear. Here, Nerolidol-loaded invasomes were produced using a controlled simil-microfluidic coaxial injection process. Methods and Results: As a preliminary step, unloaded liposomes were fabricated to consolidate operating conditions and ensure their reproducible colloidal properties. Thereafter, formulations with progressively decreasing nominal NER loads were investigated to evaluate vesicle size, polydispersity, ζ-potential, encapsulation efficiency, effective loading, and stability. High nominal loads promoted turbidity, size increase (by agglomeration coalescence phenomena), and structural instability, whereas formulations containing approximately 1–2% NER achieved nearly complete encapsulation, Z-average ≈ 300 nm, |ζ| > 30 mV, and satisfactory physical stability. Antimicrobial and cytotoxic profiles of representative formulations, previously evaluated in an independent study are here reported only to contextualize the practical relevance of the optimized systems, while the present work primarily focuses on process–formulation aspects and loading/stability limitations. Conclusions: Overall, the present work identifies a realistic loading window for Nerolidol invasomes and highlights the suitability of the simil-microfluidic approach to obtain scalable, well-controlled formulations, providing a rational basis for their future biological assessment. Nerolidol invasome systems indeed can be considered a promising, versatile platform for antimicrobial applications, including prospective use in animal feed. Full article

One of the common issues in the R&D of new drugs is the failure of clinical trials caused by the species-specific inadequacy of animal models to assess drugs’ efficiency and safety. Therefore, systems like organ-on-a-chip and, particularly, liver-on-a-chip (LOC) can be an efficient tool for recapitulating in vivo-like human physiology at the microscale. This review focuses on discussing LOC design, emphasizing its architecture and validation to reveal the trends in searching for a balance between biomimetics and functionality. We found that the huge variety of already published models can be divided into five groups based on their configuration complexity: flat one-channel, flat two-channel, vertically stacked multilayered, hexagonal-patterned, and multi-well chips. While researchers attempt to recapitulate the liver’s histology and its functions in detail by increasing the complexity of devices’ architectonics, industrial companies prefer to promote more simple and flexible solutions. Thus, the LOC designs of the future require neglecting some liver characteristics to make them standardizable and sustainable, which could facilitate their introduction into the market and clinics. Full article