Dynamic radial positioning of a hydrodynamically focused particle stream enabled by a three-dimensional microfluidic nozzle.

The ability to confine flows and focus particle streams has become an integral component of the design of microfluidic systems for the analysis of a wide range of samples. Presented here is the implementation of a 3D microfluidic nozzle capable of both focusing particles as well as dynamically positioning those particles in selected flow lamina within the downstream analysis channel. Through the independent adjustment of the three sheath inlet flows, the nozzle controlled the size of a focused stream for 6, 10, and 15 µm polystyrene microparticles. Additional flow adjustment allowed the nozzle to dynamically position the focused particle stream to a specific area within the downstream channel. This unique ability provides additional capability and sample flexibility to the system. In order to gain insight into the fluidic behavior of the system, experimental conditions and results were duplicated within 4.75 µm using a COMSOL Multiphysics(®) model to elucidate the structure, direction, proportion, and fate of fluid lamina throughout the nozzle region. The COMSOL Multiphysics model showed that the position and distribution of particles upon entering the nozzle have negligible influence over its focusing ability, extending the experimental results into a wider range of particle sizes and system flow rates. These results are promising for the application of this design to allow for a relatively simple, fast, fully fluidically controlled nozzle for selective particle focusing and positioning for further particle analysis and sorting.

Optical chromatographic sample separation of hydrodynamically focused mixtures.

Optical chromatography relies on the balance between the opposing optical and fluid drag forces acting on a particle. A typical configuration involves a loosely focused laser directly counter to the flow of particle-laden fluid passing through a microfluidic device. This equilibrium depends on the intrinsic properties of the particle, including size, shape, and refractive index. As such, uniquely fine separations are possible using this technique. Here, we demonstrate how matching the diameter of a microfluidic flow channel to that of the focusing laser in concert with a unique microfluidic platform can be used as a method to fractionate closely related particles in a mixed sample. This microfluidic network allows for a monodisperse sample of both polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) spheres to be injected, hydrodynamically focused, and completely separated. To test the limit of separation, a mixed polystyrene sample containing two particles varying in diameter by less than 0.5 µm was run in the system. The analysis of the resulting separation sets the framework for continued work to perform ultra-fine separations.