Droplet formation of biological non-Newtonian fluid in T-junction generators. II. Model for final droplet volume prediction.

This work represents the second part of a two-part series on the dynamics of droplet formation in a T-junction generator under the squeezing regime when using solutions of red blood cells as the dispersed phase. Solutions containing red blood cells are non-Newtonian; however, these solutions do not behave in the same way as other non-Newtonian fluids currently described in the literature. Hence, available models do not capture nor predict important features useful for the design of T-junction microfluidic systems, including droplet volume.

Droplet formation of biological non-Newtonian fluid in T-junction generators. I. Experimental investigation.

The extension of microfluidics to many bioassay applications requires the ability to work with non-Newtonian fluids. One case in point is the use of microfluidics with blood having different hematocrit levels. This work is the first part of a two-part study and presents the formation dynamics of blood droplets in a T-junction generator under the squeezing regime.

Rose petal topography mimicked poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates for enhanced corneal endothelial cell behavior.

Low proliferation capacity of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and worldwide limitations in transplantable donor tissues reveal the critical need of a robust approach for in vitro CEC growth. However, preservation of CEC-specific phenotype with increased proliferation has been a great challenge. Here we offer a biomimetic cell substrate design, by optimizing mechanical, topographical and biochemical characteristics of materials with CEC microenvironment.

Bioinspired hydrogel surfaces to augment corneal endothelial cell monolayer formation.

Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) have limited proliferation ability leading to corneal endothelium (CE) dysfunction and eventually vision loss when cell number decreases below a critical level. Although transplantation is the main treatment method, donor shortage problem is a major bottleneck. The transplantation of in vitro developed endothelial cells with desirable density is a promising idea.

Real-Time In Vivo Control of Neural Membrane Potential by Electro-Ionic Modulation.

Theoretically, by controlling neural membrane potential (V) in vivo, motion, sensation, and behavior can be controlled. Until now, there was no available technique that can increase or decrease ion concentration in vivo in real time to change neural membrane potential. We introduce a method that we coin electro-ionic modulation (EIM), wherein ionic concentration around a nerve can be controlled in real time and in vivo.

Impedimetric detection and lumped element modelling of a hemagglutination assay in microdroplets.

Droplet-based microfluidic systems offer tremendous benefits for high throughput biochemical assays. Despite the wide use of electrical detection for microfluidic systems, application of impedimetric sensing for droplet systems is very limited. This is mainly due to the insulating oil-based continuous phase used for most aqueous samples of interest.