A Novel EWOD Platform for Freely Transporting Droplets in Double and Single-Plate Structures.

This study developed a novel dielectric wetting microfluidic operation platform combining parallel-plate and coplanar-plate regions with a curved surface structure as the connection structure. With the new electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) platform, "droplet pull-out" has been successfully achieved and viewed as an essential new operation for microfluidics with the dielectric wetting technique. The EWOD system is divided into a PDMS substrate top plate and an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate as a bottom layer on this chip.

Pioneering Data Processing for Convolutional Neural Networks to Enhance the Diagnostic Accuracy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pulse Diagnosis for Diabetes.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has relied on pulse diagnosis as a cornerstone of healthcare assessment for thousands of years. Despite its long history and widespread use, TCM pulse diagnosis has faced challenges in terms of diagnostic accuracy and consistency due to its dependence on subjective interpretation and theoretical analysis. This study introduces an approach to enhance the accuracy of TCM pulse diagnosis for diabetes by leveraging the power of deep learning algorithms, specifically LeNet and ResNet models, for pulse waveform analysis.

Detection of Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) in Single Human Blastocyst-Conditioned Medium Using Ultrasensitive Bead-Based Digital Microfluidic Chip and Its Relationship with Embryonic Implantation Potential.

The implantation of human embryos is a complex process involving various cytokines and receptors expressed by both endometrium and embryos. However, the role of cytokines produced by a single embryo in successful implantation is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-1β expressed in a single-embryo-conditioned medium (ECM) in embryo implantation.

Programmable UV-Curable Resin by Dielectric Force.

In this study, UV-curable resin was formed into different patterns through the programmable control of dielectric force. The dielectric force is mainly generated by the dielectric chip formed by the interdigitated electrodes. This study observed that of the control factors affecting the size of the UV resin driving area, current played an important role.

Terahertz Combined with Metamaterial Microfluidic Chip for Troponin Antigen Detection.

In this paper, we use terahertz combined with metamaterial technology as a powerful tool to identify analytes at different concentrations. Combined with the microfluidic chip, the experimental measurement can be performed with a small amount of analyte. In detecting the troponin antigen, surface modification is carried out by biochemical binding.

Sensitivity Enhancement and Probiotic Detection of Microfluidic Chips Based on Terahertz Radiation Combined with Metamaterial Technology.

Terahertz (THz) radiation has attracted wide attention in recent years due to its non-destructive properties and ability to sense molecular structures. In applications combining terahertz radiation with metamaterial technology, the interaction between the terahertz radiation and the metamaterials causes resonance reactions; different analytes have different resonance performances in the frequency domain. In addition, a microfluidic system is able to provide low volume reagents for detection, reduce noise from the environment, and concentrate the sample on the detection area.

Contactless Micro-Droplet Manipulation of Liquid Released from a Parallel Plate to an Open Region in Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Platform.

In electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) platform, the transfer of droplets from the EWOD boundary region (top plate and bottom plate) to the open region is challenging. The challenge is due to the resistance-like surface tension, friction from the top-plate edge, and the so-called boundary. For this purpose, we designed the top plate to minimize the friction resistance at the boundary.

DNA Sequencing from Subcritical Concentration of Cell-Free DNA Extracted from Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Platform.

Electro-Wetting-On-Dielectric (EWOD) based digital operations have demonstrated outstanding potential in actuating and manipulating liquid droplets. Here, we adapted the EWOD for extracting femtogram quantities of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from 1 μL of KSOM mouse embryo culture medium. Our group extracted the femtogram quantity of cf-DNA from 1 μL of mouse embryo culture medium in our previous work.

Microfluidic Microalgae System: A Review.

Microalgae that have recently captivated interest worldwide are a great source of renewable, sustainable and economical biofuels. The extensive potential application in the renewable energy, biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries have made them necessary resources for green energy. Microalgae can substitute liquid fossil fuels based on cost, renewability and environmental concern.

Identification of Microorganisms Using an EWOD System.

Among the advantages of an electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) chip are its uncomplicated fabrication and low cost; one of its greatest strengths that might be applied in the field of biomedical technology is that it can accurately control volume and reduces the amount of samples and reagents. We present an EWOD for the biochemical identification of microorganisms, which is required to confirm the source of microbial contamination or quality inspection of product-added bacteria, etc. The traditional kit we used existed in the market; the detection results are judged by the pattern of color change after incubation.

Effects of Electromagnets on Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells Treated with Dendrimer Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles.

To improve bovine corneal endothelial cell (BCEC) migration, enhance cell energy, and facilitate symmetric cell distribution in corneal surfaces, an electromagnet device was fabricated. Twenty nanometer superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with fourth-generation dendrimer macromolecules were synthesized, and their size and structure were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed the configuration of the dendrimer on the SPION surfaces.

A High-Voltage TENG-Based Droplet Energy Generator With Ultralow Liquid Consumption.

A solid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has attracted increasing research interest in relation to the development of regeneration energy based on water resources. The output of solid-liquid TENG remains unsolved, however, because of the low voltage output that impedes wide applications. To this end, in this work we developed a miniaturized microfluidic channel-based TENG device for highly efficient conversion of energy from the transport of a water droplet to an electrical output.

A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Infertility is a state of the male or female reproductive system that is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy even after 12 or more months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) plays a crucial role in addressing infertility. Various ART are now available for infertile couples.

Detection of the Freshness of Kiwifruit With a TD-GC-MS and a Gas-Sensing Array Based on the Surface-Acoustic-Wave Technique.

An electronic nose is an arrayed gas sensor mimicking the human olfactory system that can analyze and identify a flavour on collecting an odour from an environment. In our experiments, an electronic-nose system based on a surface acoustic wave (SAW) was used to measure the freshness of kiwifruit. 128° YX-LiNbO acted as a piezoelectric material; Au was deposited as an electrode and sensing area.

Extracellular and intracellular intermittent magnetic-fluid hyperthermia treatment of SK-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells based on magnetic nanoparticles coated with polystyrene sulfonic acid.

The use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) magnetized on applying an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to stimulate the thermal characteristics and to induce tumor apoptosis is a currently active area of research in cancer treatment. In previous work, we developed biocompatible and superparamagnetic polystyrene-sulfonic-acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles (PSS-MNPs) as applications for magnetically labeled cell trapping, but without assessment of treatment effects on tumor diseases. In the present work, we examined PSS-MNP-induced magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) on SK-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells for lethal thermal effects with a self-made AMF system; an adjustable AMF frequency generated a variable intensity of magnetic field and induced MNP relaxation.

Utilization of a Gas-Sensing System to Discriminate Smell and to Monitor Fermentation during the Manufacture of Oolong Tea Leaves.

The operational duration of shaking tea leaves is a critical factor in the manufacture of oolong tea; this duration influences the formation of its flavor and fragrance. The current method to control the duration of fermentation relies on the olfactory sense of tea masters; they monitor the entire process through their olfactory sense, and their experience decides the duration of shaking and setting. Because of this human factor and olfactory fatigue, it is difficult to define an optimum duration of shaking and setting; an inappropriate duration of shaking and setting deteriorates the quality of the tea.

Synergic Effect of Novel WS Carriers Holding Spherical Cobalt Ferrite @cubic FeO (WS/s-CoFeO@c-FeO) Nanocomposites in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Photothermal Therapy for Ocular Treatments and Investigation of Corneal Endothelial Cell Migration.

The design of novel materials to use simultaneously in an ocular system for driven therapeutics and wound healing is still challenging. Here, we produced nanocomposites of tungsten disulfide carriers with spherical cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) as core inside a cubic iron oxide NPs shell (WS/s-CoFeO@c-FeO). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that 10 nm s-CoFeO@c-FeO NPs were attached on the WS sheet surfaces.

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles coated with polystyrene sulfonic acid for biomedical applications.

The development of novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with satisfactory biocompatibility for biomedical applications has been the subject of extensive exploration over the past two decades. In this work, we synthesized superparamagnetic iron oxide MNPs coated with polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS-MNPs) and with a conventional co-precipitation method. The core size and hydrodynamic diameter of the PSS-MNPs were determined as 8-18 nm and 50-200 nm with a transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, respectively.

Frequency Shift of a SH-SAW Biosensor with Glutaraldehyde and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane Functionalized Films for Detection of Epidermal Growth Factor.

The frequency shift of a shear-horizontal surface-acoustic-wave (SH-SAW) biosensor in which the concentration of biomolecule is determined by the amount of its adsorption on the sensing film was studied. Simulation results were compared with experimental results to investigate its sensitivity and to develop a model to estimate the concentration of a cancer-related biomarker antigen epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the sample, with two types of sensing films, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde. With the concentration of the targeted biomarker varying from 0.

Using a Dielectrophoretic Microfluidic Biochip Enhanced Fertilization of Mouse Embryo in Vitro.

Droplet microfluidics has appealed to many interests for its capability to epitomize cells in a microscale environment and it is also a forceful technique for high-throughput single-cell epitomization. A dielectrophoretic microfluidic system imitates the oviduct of mammals with a microchannel to achieve fertilization in vitro (IVF) of an imprinting control-region (ICR) mouse. We applied a microfluidic chip and a positive dielectrophoretic (p-DEP) force to capture and to screen the sperm for the purpose of manipulating the oocyte.

Extraction of Cell-free Dna from An Embryo-culture Medium Using Micro-scale Bio-reagents on Ewod.

As scientific and technical knowledge advances, research on biomedical micro-electromechanical systems (bio-MEMS) is also developing towards lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices. A digital microfluidic (DMF) system specialized for an electrowetting- on-dielectric (EWOD) mechanism is a promising technique for such point-of-care systems. EWOD microfluidic biochemical analytical systems provide applications over a broad range in the lab-on-a-chip field.

Application of a Terahertz System Combined with an X-Shaped Metamaterial Microfluidic Cartridge.

Terahertz (THz) radiation has attracted wide attention for its ability to sense molecular structure and chemical matter because of a label-free molecular fingerprint and nondestructive properties. When it comes to molecular recognition with terahertz radiation, our attention goes first towards the absorption spectrum, which is beyond the far infrared region. To enhance the sensitivity for similar species, however, it is necessary to apply an artificially designed metamaterial sensor for detection, which confines an electromagnetic field in an extremely sub-wavelength space and hence receives an electromagnetic response through resonance.

Simultaneous detection of two growth factors from human single-embryo culture medium by a bead-based digital microfluidic chip.

The measurement of growth factors released in a culture medium is considered to be an attractive non-invasive approach, apart from the embryo morphology, to identify the condition of an embryo development after fertilization in vitro (IVF), but the available embryo culture medium in the current method is only a few microlitres. This small sample volume, also of small concentration, makes difficult the application of a conventional detection method, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A reliable detection of the growth factor from each embryo culture medium of such a small concentration hence remains a challenge.