Single cell glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assay using nanowell-in-microwell plates.

Pancreatic β cells secrete insulin in response to elevated levels of glucose. Stem cell derived β (SCβ) cells aim to replicate this glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) function, but current preparations cannot provide the same level of insulin as natural β cells. Here, we develop an assay to measure GSIS at the single cell level to investigate the functional heterogeneity of SCβ cells and donor-derived islet cells.

Acoustic Bubble and Magnetic Actuation-Based Microrobot for Enhanced Multiphase Drug Delivery Efficiency.

This paper proposes an acoustic bubble and magnetic actuation-based microrobot for enhancing multiphase drug delivery efficiency. The proposed device can encapsulate multiphase drugs, including liquids, using the two bubbles embedded within the microtube. Additionally, using the magnetic actuation of the loaded magnetic liquid metal, it can deliver drugs to target cells.

Switchable liquid shutter operated by electrowetting for security of mobile electronics.

This paper presents a new type of switchable liquid shutter for the security and design of mobile electronic devices. The operation test of the liquid shutter is conducted using a prototype sample prepared by standard microfabrication processes. The liquid shutter consists of an opaque liquid for absorbing light and a transparent oil for transmitting light on two parallel plates with patterned indium titanium oxide electrodes.

Optothermally pulsating microbubble-mediated micro-energy harvesting in underwater medium.

Despite the considerable research interest due to practical importance of pervasive wireless sensing systems in a wide range of engineering fields, power management remains an arduous task for further development of pervasive wireless sensing systems due to inherent needs for self-reliant functionality and portability during their operations. To this end, we here propose a new type of energy harvesting strategy in which an optothermally pulsating microbubble is submerged in an underwater medium. The pulsating microbubble gives rise to the periodic vibration of piezocantilevers in contact, which resultantly can produce electrical outputs.