Microfluidics Core Facility Continuous Flow Experiments
We offer three different services that use continuous flow techniques: On-chip particle sorting, gradient on-chip, and lipidnanoparticle (LNP) generation.
On-chip particle sorting
Using a spiral chip, it is possible to introduce differently sized beads in the sample inlet and in parallel a sheath flow which forces the particles to separate over multiple rounds through the spiral. The separated particles are collected over single outlets at the end of the chip. The second image shows the particles being separated from the inner circle outwards, indicated with an arrow.
Gradient on-chip
Besides fast flow microfluidic experiments, we can also make use of the laminar flow regime at lower flow rates. Combining this with a specific geometry it is possible to generate very precise gradients on a chip. This image is just an example of a gradient chip. The more mixing units are added a more precise the gradient can be established. There are more possibilities in generating gradients on-chip, then with this design.
Lipidnanoparticles (LNPs)
It is also possible to generate LNPs by using microfluidics. By introducing turbulent flows, it is possible to mix two phases which then lead to either empty or loaded LNPs, depending on the cargo loaded in one of the continuous phases. The image shows a microfluidic bifurcating mixer. However, there are also different designs possible for the production of LNPs.
