Micro-Scale Particle Tracking: From Conventional to Data-Driven Methods.

Micro-scale positioning techniques have become essential in numerous engineering systems. In the field of fluid mechanics, particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) stands out as a key method for tracking individual particles and reconstructing flow fields. Here, we present an overview of the micro-scale particle tracking methodologies that are predominantly employed for particle detection and flow field reconstruction. It covers various methods, including conventional and data-driven techniques. The advanced techniques, which combine developments in microscopy, photography, image processing, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, are making significant strides and will greatly benefit a wide range of scientific and engineering fields.

Functional bio-inspired hybrid fliers with separated ring and leading edge vortices.

Recent advances in passive flying systems inspired by wind-dispersed seeds contribute to increasing interest in their use for remote sensing applications across large spatial domains in the Lagrangian frame of reference. These concepts create possibilities for developing and studying structures with performance characteristics and operating mechanisms that lie beyond those found in nature. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid flier system, fabricated through a process of controlled buckling, to yield unusual geometries optimized for flight. Specifically, these constructs simultaneously exploit distinct fluid phenomena, including separated vortex rings from features that resemble those of dandelion seeds and the leading-edge vortices derived from behaviors of maple seeds. Advanced experimental measurements and computational simulations of the aerodynamics and induced flow physics of these hybrid fliers establish a concise, scalable analytical framework for understanding their flight mechanisms. Demonstrations with functional payloads in various forms, including bioresorbable, colorimetric, gas-sensing, and light-emitting platforms, illustrate examples with diverse capabilities in sensing and tracking.

Heat conduction in live tissue during radiofrequency electrosurgery.

In this paper, we propose a method to model radiofrequency electrosurgery to capture the phenomena at higher temperatures and present the methods for parameter estimation. Experimental data taken from our surgical trials performed on in vivo porcine liver show that a non-Fourier Maxwell-Cattaneo-type model can be suitable for this application when used in combination with an Arrhenius-type model that approximates the energy dissipation in physical and chemical reactions. The resulting model structure has the advantage of higher accuracy than existing ones, while reducing the computation time required.

On the synergy of biomicrofluidic technologies and real-time 3D tracking: A perspective.

Particle image velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry have played pivotal roles in flow and particle characterization, owing to their non-invasive and accurate data collection methods. However, their broader application in the biomicrofluidics field is constrained by challenges, such as intensive calibration, high post-processing costs, and optical compatibility issues, especially in settings where space is a bottleneck. This article describes recent advancements in non-iterative ray tracing that promise more streamlined post-capture calibration and highlights examples of applications and areas that merit further technological investigation. The development and adoption of these techniques may pave the way for new innovations.

Measuring the electrophoretic mobility and size of single particles using microfluidic transverse AC electrophoresis (TrACE).

The ability to measure the charge and size of single particles is essential to understanding particle adhesion and interaction with their environment. Characterizing the physical properties of biological particles, like cells, can be a powerful tool in studying the association between the changes in physical properties and disease development. Currently, measuring charge via the electrophoretic mobility (µep) of individual particles remains challenging, and there is only one prior report of simultaneously measuring µep and size. We introduce microfluidic transverse AC electrophoresis (TrACE), a novel technique that combines particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and AC electrophoresis. In TrACE, electric waves with 0.75 to 1.5 V amplitude are applied transversely to the bulk flow and cause the particles to oscillate. PTV records the particles' oscillating trajectories as pressure drives bulk flow through the microchannel. A simple quasi-equilibrium model agrees well with experimental measurements of frequency, amplitude, and phase, indicating that particle motion is largely described by DC electrophoresis. The measured µep of polystyrene particles (0.53, 0.84, 1, and 2 µm diameter) are consistent with ELS measurements, and precision is enhanced by averaging ∼100 measurements per particle. Particle size is simultaneously measured from Brownian motion quantified from the trajectory for particles <2 µm or image analysis for particles ≥2 µm. Lastly, the ability to analyze intact mammalian cells is demonstrated with B cells. TrACE systems are expected to be highly suitable as fieldable tools to measure the µep and size of a broad range of individual particles.

Correction: Measuring the electrophoretic mobility and size of single particles using microfluidic transverse AC electrophoresis (TrACE).

Correction for 'Measuring the electrophoretic mobility and size of single particles using microfluidic transverse AC electrophoresis (TrACE)' by M. Hannah Choi et al., Lab Chip, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LC00413A.

Impact of flow regime on the performance of anti-biofouling coatings.

Biofouling poses significant challenges for marine transportation due to increased skin drag, which results in increased fuel cost and associated [Formula: see text] emissions. Current antifouling methods involving polymer coating, biocides, and self-depleting layers harm marine ecosystems and contribute to marine pollution. Significant advancements have resulted in using bioinspired coatings to address this issue. However, prior investigations have predominantly focused on wettability and adhesion aspects, resulting in a limited understanding of the impact of flow regime on bioinspired structure patterns for antifouling. We conducted comprehensive experiments with two bioinspired coatings1 under laminar and turbulent flow regimes and compared them with a smooth surface. The two coatings are composed of regular arrangements of micropillars measuring 85 µm in height and spaced at 180 µm (pattern A) and 50 µm high micropillars spaced at 220 µm (pattern B). Theoretical arguments indicate that wall-normal velocity fluctuations near the micropillars' top significantly contribute to reducing the onset of biofouling under turbulence compared to the smooth surface. Pattern A coating can effectively decrease biofouling by 90% for fouling sizes exceeding 80 microns when compared to a smooth surface subjected to a turbulent flow regime. The coatings exhibited comparable anti-biofouling properties under a laminar flow. Also, the smooth surface experienced substantially higher biofouling under laminar flow compared to turbulent conditions. This underscores how the effectiveness of anti-biofouling approaches is critically influenced by the flow regime.

Minimally Invasive Live Tissue High-Fidelity Thermophysical Modeling Using Real-Time Thermography.

We present a novel thermodynamic parameter estimation framework for energy-based surgery on live tissue, with direct applications to tissue characterization during electrosurgery. This framework addresses the problem of estimating tissue-specific thermodynamics in real-time, which would enable accurate prediction of thermal damage impact to the tissue and damage-conscious planning of electrosurgical procedures. Our approach provides basic thermodynamic information such as thermal diffusivity, and also allows for obtaining the thermal relaxation time and a model of the heat source, yielding in real-time a controlled hyperbolic thermodynamics model. The latter accounts for the finite thermal propagation time necessary for modeling of the electrosurgical action, in which the probe motion speed often surpasses the speed of thermal propagation in the tissue operated on. Our approach relies solely on thermographer feedback and a knowledge of the power level and position of the electrosurgical pencil, imposing only very minor adjustments to normal electrosurgery to obtain a high-fidelity model of the tissue-probe interaction. Our method is minimally invasive and can be performed in situ. We apply our method first to simulated data based on porcine muscle tissue to verify its accuracy and then to in vivo liver tissue, and compare the results with those from the literature. This comparison shows that parameterizing the Maxwell-Cattaneo model through the framework proposed yields a noticeably higher fidelity real-time adaptable representation of the thermodynamic tissue response to the electrosurgical impact than currently available. A discussion on the differences between the live and the dead tissue thermodynamics is also provided.

Minimally Invasive Live Tissue High-fidelity Thermophysical Modeling using Real-time Thermography.

We present a novel thermodynamic parameter estimation framework for energy-based surgery on live tissue, with direct applications to tissue characterization during electrosurgery. This framework addresses the problem of estimating tissue-specific thermodynamics in real-time, which would enable accurate prediction of thermal damage impact to the tissue and damage-conscious planning of electrosurgical procedures. Our approach provides basic thermodynamic information such as thermal diffusivity, and also allows for obtaining the thermal relaxation time and a model of the heat source, yielding in real-time a controlled hyperbolic thermodynamics model. The latter accounts for the finite thermal propagation time necessary for modeling of the electrosurgical action, in which the probe motion speed often surpasses the speed of thermal propagation in the tissue operated on. Our approach relies solely on thermographer feedback and a knowledge of the power level and position of the electrosurgical pencil, imposing only very minor adjustments to normal electrosurgery to obtain a high-fidelity model of the tissue-probe interaction. Our method is minimally invasive and can be performed in situ. We apply our method first to simulated data based on porcine muscle tissue to verify its accuracy and then to in vivo liver tissue, and compare the results with those from the literature. This comparison shows that parameterizing the Maxwell-Cattaneo model through the framework proposed yields a noticeably higher fidelity real-time adaptable representation of the thermodynamic tissue response to the electrosurgical impact than currently available. A discussion on the differences between the live and the dead tissue thermodynamics is also provided.

Morphology of pig nasal structure and modulation of airflow and basic thermal conditioning.

Mammals have presumably evolved to adapt to a diverse range of ambient environmental conditions through the optimized heat and mass exchange. One of the crucial biological structures for survivability is the nose, which efficiently transports and thermally preconditions the external air before reaching the internal body. Nasal mucosa and cavity help warm and humidify the inhaled air quickly. Despite its crucial role, the morphological features of mammal noses and their effect in modulating the momentum of the inhaled air, heat transfer dynamics, and particulate trapping remain poorly understood. Tortuosity of the nasal cavity in high-olfactory mammalian species, such as pigs and opossum, facilitates the formation of complex airflow patterns inside the nasal cavity, which leads to the screening of particulates from the inhaled air. We explored basic nasal features in anatomically realistic nasal pathways, including tortuosity, radius of curvature, and gap thickness; they show strong power-law correlations with body weight. Complementary inspection of tortuosity with idealized conduits reveals that this quantity is central in particle capture efficiency. Mechanistic insights into such nuances can serve as a tipping point to transforming nature-based designs into practical applications. In-depth characterization of the fluid-particle interactions in nasal cavities is necessary to uncover nose mechanistic functionalities. It is instrumental in developing new devices and filters in a number of engineering processes.

Biodegradable, three-dimensional colorimetric fliers for environmental monitoring.

Recently reported winged microelectronic systems offer passive flight mechanisms as a dispersal strategy for purposes in environmental monitoring, population surveillance, pathogen tracking, and other applications. Initial studies indicate potential for technologies of this type, but advances in structural and responsive materials and in aerodynamically optimized geometries are necessary to improve the functionality and expand the modes of operation. Here, we introduce environmentally degradable materials as the basis of 3D fliers that allow remote, colorimetric assessments of multiple environmental parameters-pH, heavy metal concentrations, and ultraviolet exposure, along with humidity levels and temperature. Experimental and theoretical investigations of the aerodynamics of these systems reveal design considerations that include not only the geometries of the structures but also their mass distributions across a range of bioinspired designs. Preliminary field studies that rely on drones for deployment and for remote colorimetric analysis by machine learning interpretation of digital images illustrate scenarios for practical use.

Dynamics of plosive consonants via imaging, computations, and soft electronics.

A quantitative understanding of the coupled dynamics of flow and particles in aerosol and droplet transmission associated with speech remains elusive. Here, we summarize an effort that integrates insights into flow-particle dynamics induced by the production plosive sounds during speech with skin-integrated electronic systems for monitoring the production of these sounds. In particular, we uncover diffusive and ballistic regimes separated by a threshold particle size and characterize the Lagrangian acceleration and pair dispersion. Lagrangian dynamics of the particles in the diffusive regime exhibit features of isotropic turbulence. These fundamental findings highlight the value in skin-interfaced wireless sensors for continuously measuring critical speech patterns in clinical settings, work environments, and the home, based on unique neck biomechanics associated with the generation of plosive sounds. We introduce a wireless, soft device that captures these motions to enable detection of plosive sounds in multiple languages through a convolutional neural network approach. This work spans fundamental flow-particle physics to soft electronic technology, with implications in monitoring and studying critical speech patterns associated with aerosol and droplet transmissions relevant to the spread of infectious diseases.

Wireless multi-lateral optofluidic microsystems for real-time programmable optogenetics and photopharmacology.

In vivo optogenetics and photopharmacology are two techniques for controlling neuronal activity that have immense potential in neuroscience research. Their applications in tether-free groups of animals have been limited in part due to tools availability. Here, we present a wireless, battery-free, programable multilateral optofluidic platform with user-selected modalities for optogenetics, pharmacology and photopharmacology. This system features mechanically compliant microfluidic and electronic interconnects, capabilities for dynamic control over the rates of drug delivery and real-time programmability, simultaneously for up to 256 separate devices in a single cage environment. Our behavioral experiments demonstrate control of motor behaviors in grouped mice through in vivo optogenetics with co-located gene delivery and controlled photolysis of caged glutamate. These optofluidic systems may expand the scope of wireless techniques to study neural processing in animal models.

On the design of particle filters inspired by animal noses.

Passive filtering is a common strategy to reduce airborne disease transmission and particulate contaminants across scales spanning orders of magnitude. The engineering of high-performance filters with relatively low flow resistance but high virus- or particle-blocking efficiency is a non-trivial problem of paramount relevance, as evidenced in the variety of industrial filtration systems and face masks. Next-generation industrial filters and masks should retain sufficiently small droplets and aerosols while having low resistance. We introduce a novel 3D-printable particle filter inspired by animals' complex nasal anatomy. Unlike standard random-media-based filters, the proposed concept relies on equally spaced channels with tortuous airflow paths. These two strategies induce distinct effects: a reduced resistance and a high likelihood of particle trapping by altering their trajectories with tortuous paths and induced local flow instability. The structures are tested for pressure drop and particle filtering efficiency over different airflow rates. We have also cross-validated the observed efficiency through numerical simulations. We found that the designed filters exhibit a lower pressure drop, compared to commercial masks and filters, while capturing particles bigger than approximately 10 µm. Our findings could facilitate a novel and scalable filter concept inspired by animal noses.

A fast, non-iterative ray-intersection approach for three-dimensional microscale particle tracking.

We propose a non-iterative ray tracing method with robust post-capture microlens array sensor alignment to reconstruct sparse particle concentration in light field particle image velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry nearly instantaneously. Voxels traversed by various rays are stored by a kd-tree to reduce memory load and computational time. A cloud point classification algorithm is employed for particle identification and spatial reconstruction. The approach is tested with a physically-based realistic model of a light field camera. Also, an optical system is assembled in a microscope to directly obtain the 3D laminar velocity field in the fully-developed region, which exhibits good agreement with the theoretical solution.

Infinite-Dimensional Adaptive Boundary Observer for Inner-Domain Temperature Estimation of 3D Electrosurgical Processes using Surface Thermography Sensing.

We present a novel 3D adaptive observer framework for use in the determination of subsurface organic tissue temperatures in electrosurgery. The observer structure leverages pointwise 2D surface temperature readings obtained from a real-time infrared thermographer for both parameter estimation and temperature field observation. We introduce a novel approach to decoupled parameter adaptation and estimation, wherein the parameter estimation can run in real-time, while the observer loop runs on a slower time scale. To achieve this, we introduce a novel parameter estimation method known as attention-based noise-robust averaging, in which surface thermography time series are used to directly estimate the tissue's diffusivity. Our observer contains a real-time parameter adaptation component based on this diffusivity adaptation law, as well as a Luenberger-type corrector based on the sensed surface temperature. In this work, we also present a novel model structure adapted to the setting of robotic surgery, wherein we model the electrosurgical heat distribution as a compactly supported magnitude- and velocity-controlled heat source involving a new nonlinear input mapping. We demonstrate satisfactory performance of the adaptive observer in simulation, using real-life experimental ex vivo porcine tissue data.

Three-dimensional electronic microfliers inspired by wind-dispersed seeds.

Large, distributed collections of miniaturized, wireless electronic devices1,2 may form the basis of future systems for environmental monitoring3, population surveillance4, disease management5 and other applications that demand coverage over expansive spatial scales. Aerial schemes to distribute the components for such networks are required, and-inspired by wind-dispersed seeds6-we examined passive structures designed for controlled, unpowered flight across natural environments or city settings. Techniques in mechanically guided assembly of three-dimensional (3D) mesostructures7-9 provide access to miniature, 3D fliers optimized for such purposes, in processes that align with the most sophisticated production techniques for electronic, optoelectronic, microfluidic and microelectromechanical technologies. Here we demonstrate a range of 3D macro-, meso- and microscale fliers produced in this manner, including those that incorporate active electronic and colorimetric payloads. Analytical, computational and experimental studies of the aerodynamics of high-performance structures of this type establish a set of fundamental considerations in bio-inspired design, with a focus on 3D fliers that exhibit controlled rotational kinematics and low terminal velocities. An approach that represents these complex 3D structures as discrete numbers of blades captures the essential physics in simple, analytical scaling forms, validated by computational and experimental results. Battery-free, wireless devices and colorimetric sensors for environmental measurements provide simple examples of a wide spectrum of applications of these unusual concepts.

Exceeding ohmic scaling by more than one order of magnitude with a 3D ion concentration polarization system.

We report an ion concentration polarization (CP) system that exceeds ohmic scaling, a barrier that has stood for more than four decades, by more than one order of magnitude. CP is used in many important applications, including the enrichment of trace analytes in microfluidic systems and water purification by electrodialysis. The mechanisms that control the current through these systems have been largely discovered, but the reduced currents and loss of efficiency imparted by the high resistance of the CP ion depleted zone have not been overcome. To obtain high currents, an ion permselective element with a microscale cross-section is interfaced with a macroscale reservoir. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and microparticle tracking velocimetry (µ-PTV) are used to characterize the depleted zone that emanates vertically from the CP inducing nanoporous gel into the macroscale reservoir. The shape and growth of the depleted zone and velocity in the surrounding bulk solution are consistent with natural convection being the driver of the depleted zone morphology and eliminating the high resistance created by the depleted zone in 1D and 2D systems. Once the resistance of the depleted zone is negated, the high currents are hypothesized to result from enhancement of counter-ion concentration in the nanoporous gel-filled microchannel. In contrast with conventional systems, the current increases monotonically and remains stable at a high quasi-steady level in the reported systems. These results may be used to increase the efficiency and performance of future devices that utilize CP, while the ability to collect purified water with this geometry is demonstrated.

Automated, multiparametric monitoring of respiratory biomarkers and vital signs in clinical and home settings for COVID-19 patients.

Capabilities in continuous monitoring of key physiological parameters of disease have never been more important than in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Soft, skin-mounted electronics that incorporate high-bandwidth, miniaturized motion sensors enable digital, wireless measurements of mechanoacoustic (MA) signatures of both core vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) and underexplored biomarkers (coughing count) with high fidelity and immunity to ambient noises. This paper summarizes an effort that integrates such MA sensors with a cloud data infrastructure and a set of analytics approaches based on digital filtering and convolutional neural networks for monitoring of COVID-19 infections in sick and healthy individuals in the hospital and the home. Unique features are in quantitative measurements of coughing and other vocal events, as indicators of both disease and infectiousness. Systematic imaging studies demonstrate correlations between the time and intensity of coughing, speaking, and laughing and the total droplet production, as an approximate indicator of the probability for disease spread. The sensors, deployed on COVID-19 patients along with healthy controls in both inpatient and home settings, record coughing frequency and intensity continuously, along with a collection of other biometrics. The results indicate a decaying trend of coughing frequency and intensity through the course of disease recovery, but with wide variations across patient populations. The methodology creates opportunities to study patterns in biometrics across individuals and among different demographic groups.

Performance of fabrics for home-made masks against the spread of COVID-19 through droplets: A quantitative mechanistic study.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread through respiratory droplets released by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Given the limited supply of professional respirators and face masks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended home-made cloth face coverings for use by the general public. While there have been several studies on aerosol filtration performance of household fabrics, their effectiveness at blocking larger droplets has not been investigated. Here, we ascertained the performance of 11 common household fabrics at blocking large, high-velocity droplets, using a commercial medical mask as a benchmark. We also assessed the breathability (air permeability), texture, fiber composition, and water absorption properties of the fabrics. We found that most fabrics have substantial blocking efficiency (median values >70%). In particular, two layers of highly permeable fabric, such as T-shirt cloth, blocks droplets with an efficiency (>94%) similar to that of medical masks, while being approximately twice as breathable. The first layer allows about 17% of the droplet volume to transmit, but it significantly reduces their velocity. This allows the second layer to trap the transmitted droplets resulting in high blocking efficacy. Overall, our study suggests that cloth face coverings, especially with multiple layers, may help reduce droplet transmission of respiratory infections. Furthermore, face coverings made from materials such as cotton fabrics allow washing and reusing, and can help reduce the adverse environmental effects of widespread use of commercial disposable and non-biodegradable facemasks.