Questo lavoro è stato sostenuto dal Dipartimento di Bioingegneria e Scienze terapeutici presso UCSF, il California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), e il Bridging the Gap Award dalla Fondazione Rogers famiglia.

1. Progettazione di dispositivi Dimensioni e topologie Basato su Experimental esigenze, utilizzando Computer Aided Design (CAD) Software Nota: Selezione diametri dei canali emulsione inferiori a quelle delle goccioline sferiche. Questo costringe le goccioline in una forma cilindrica o &quot;salsiccia&quot; e permette picoinjection più efficace. Per i nostri scopi, abbiamo progettato di 30 x 30 micron canali di goccioline che erano 50 micron di diametro. <ol><li> Sito picoinjection modello (s) dopo quelli descritti da Abate et al. 3 con l&#39;eccezione che i canali per gli elettrodi metallici vengono rimossi, come sono inutili. </li><li> Aggiungere canali per servire come Faraday Moat (Figura 1) che corrono tra sito picoinjection (s) e l&#39;emulsione monte tale che schermano le goccioline dal campo elettrico. Nota: Questo impedisce fusione non volute. </li></ol> 2. Dispositivi fabbricare Uso molle FotolitoTecniche radiografico <ol><li> Generare una maschera di trasparenza fotolitografia in base al file CAD utilizzando i servizi commerciali esistenti. </li><li> Con la fotomaschera, curare photoresist su wafer di silicio per produrre un GSD, come descritto in precedenza 4. </li><li> Pour PDMS miscelato con il catalizzatore (11:01 ratio) il master del dispositivo contenuto in una capsula di Petri 5 centimetri di polistirolo. </li><li> Posizionare il maestro con PDMS in un essiccatore a vuoto per circa 15 minuti per eliminare eventuali bolle d&#39;aria. </li><li> Curare il dispositivo PDMS ponendolo in un forno a 95 ° C per 1 ora. In alternativa, il PDMS curerà a temperatura ambiente dopo 24 ore. </li><li> Rimuovere il dispositivo tagliando lungo il perimetro con una lama chirurgica e peeling accuratamente il dispositivo dal master. </li><li> Punch di ingresso e uscita fori nelle PDMS utilizzando una biopsia di 0,5 mm. </li><li> Fissare il dispositivo su un vetrino da microscopio vetro con un bonder plasma 4. </li></ol> 3. Preparare una pressione d&#39;ariaControllo pompa per pressurizzare un serbatoio contenente il fluido <ol><li> Modificare le prestazioni della pompa in modo tale che le uscite d&#39;aria in pressione attraverso una lunghezza di 2,7 millimetri tubo in polietilene diametro interno. </li><li> Costruirlo tale che il tubo termina in una siringa luer-lock montando il lume sopra l&#39;ugello sul retro del luer-lock. </li><li> Sigillare riempiendo lo spazio tra i fili luer-lock e il tubo con resina epossidica. </li><li> Attaccare un ago 27.5 G. </li></ol> 4. Preparare una Monodisperse emulsione acquosa di goccioline (acqua in olio) sospesi in un inerte Fluorinated Carrier olio con 2% (peso / peso) disciolto biocompatibili tensioattivo 7 I reagenti specifici contenuti in queste goccioline dipendono dall&#39;applicazione <ol><li> In preparazione per la reiniezione, caricare l&#39;emulsione in una siringa da 1 ml con un ago G 27.5. </li><li> Fissare la siringa in una pompa a siringa e orientare verticalmente la pompa (ago verso l&#39;alto). Appunto: Questo orientamento provoca le goccioline di confezionare in un livello sopra il olio vettore. Quando si avvia la pompa, le goccioline saranno spinti dalla siringa a frazione ad alto volume lo strato di olio sotto di loro. </li></ol> 5. Preparare Reagenti per Introduzione alla Microfluidic Chip <ol><li> Punch tre fori di 0,5 millimetri nel tappo di un tubo da centrifuga da 15 ml (qualsiasi contenitore con tappo a vite sarà sufficiente) con una biopsia, ago, o trapano. </li><li> Inserire un filo elettrodo 0,5 mm di diametro e lunghezza cm ~ 20 di PE-2 tubo attraverso due dei fori in modo che raggiungano il fondo della provetta. </li><li> Nella rimanente foro, infilare un ~ 2,5 cm lunghezza cm ~ 20 di tubo PE tale che riposerà sopra del livello del liquido. </li><li> Sigillare eventuali lacune sulla parte superiore del tappo con resina epossidica UV-cured. </li><li> Riempire il tubo con il fluido picoinjection e vite sul tappo. </li><li> Collegare l&#39;uscita dalla pompa di aria di controllo della pressione per la minore lunghezza dei tubi da insertozione l&#39;ago nel lume. L&#39;ago dovrebbe adattarsi comodamente. </li><li> Riempire una siringa da 1 ml con 1 M NaCl per servire come Faraday fossato. </li><li> Collegare un ago G 27.5 e fissare la siringa in una pompa a siringa. </li><li> Riempire un&#39;altra siringa da 1 ml con olio vettore / distanziatore, collegare un ago G 27.5, e fissarlo in una pompa a siringa. </li></ol> 6. Preparare il dispositivo Microfluidic per Picoinjection <ol><li> Collegare il tubo di uscita (lunghezza più lunga) dal contenitore di fluido di iniezione alla porta di entrata del fluido picoinjection sul chip microfluidica. </li><li> Collegare la siringa contenente il 1 M NaCl alla porta di ingresso per il Faraday fossato sul chip microfluidica con un pezzo di tubo in PE. </li><li> Collegare la siringa contenente il vettore di petrolio alla porta di ingresso del chip microfluidica con un pezzo di tubo in PE. </li><li> Inserire tubo PE nella porta di uscita dell&#39;emulsione sul chip microfluidica. Il tubo deve terminare in un vaso di raccolta emulsione, némalmente una provetta da centrifuga da 1,5 ml. </li><li> Inserire tubo PE nella porta di uscita per il Faraday fossato sul chip microfluidica. Il tubo deve terminare in un non-conduttore e il contenitore isolato elettricamente per evitare un corto circuito. </li><li> Collegare l&#39;uscita dell&#39;amplificatore ad alta tensione (HV) tramite pinze alla elettrodo metallico immerso nel liquido picoinjection. </li><li> Collegare l&#39;elettrodo di massa dell&#39;amplificatore HV via coccodrillo al metallo dell&#39;ago della siringa contenente 1 M NaCl. </li></ol> 7. Infondere reagenti in Microfluidic Chip <ol><li> Introdurre il 1 M NaCl (Faraday Moat) al dispositivo a una velocità di 100 pl / h. </li><li> Introdurre l&#39;emulsione goccia e olio vettore a tassi adeguati per le dimensioni del dispositivo. Per il nostro dispositivo di demo, vi presentiamo le gocce e l&#39;olio a 200 e 400 ml / h, rispettivamente. Le portate dovrebbero consentire le goccioline di superare l&#39;picoinjector ad intervalli regolari separatida un gap di olio vettore. </li><li> Regolare la pressione applicata al fluido picoinjection tale che la pressione del fluido in corrispondenza dell&#39;orifizio picoinjection è in equilibrio meccanico con il canale gocciolina. Nota: A questa pressione (pressione di Laplace), il fluido di iniezione deve sporgere nel canale gocciolina senza erba off e formando i propri gocce (Figura 2). A queste portate sopra descritte, si applica una pressione di ~ 13 psi al fluido di iniezione a raggiungere l&#39;equilibrio nel sito di iniezione. </li></ol> 8. Inizia Picoinjection <ol><li> Come goccioline passano il foro di iniezione, applicare un 0-10 V, 10 kHz, segnale AC amplificato 1.000 x nel HV-amplificatore (Figura 3). </li><li> Modulare il volume di iniezione modificando l&#39;ampiezza della tensione applicata. Nota: Tensioni superiori dovrebbero consentire più fluido per essere introdotto per le goccioline. Nel nostro test, osserviamo iniezione stabile e coerente a tensioni esseretra 100 e 3000 V utilizzando soluzioni di iniezione di NaCl che vanno 10-500 mM (Figura 4). </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Kritikou, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=It's+cheaper+in+the+Picolab.">It's cheaper in the Picolab.</a> Nat. Rev. Genet. 6 (9), (2005).</li><li>Ahn, K., Agresti, J., Chong, H., Marquez, M., Weitz, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrocoalescence+of+drops+synchronized+by+size-dependent+flow+in+microfluidic+channels.">Electrocoalescence of drops synchronized by size-dependent flow in microfluidic channels.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 88 (26), (2006).</li><li>Abate, A. R., Hung, T., Mary, P., Agresti, J. J., Weitz, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-throughput+injection+with+microfluidics+using+picoinjectors.">High-throughput injection with microfluidics using picoinjectors.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A. 107, 19163-19166 (2010).</li><li>Harris, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fabrication+of+a+microfluidic+device+for+the+compartmentalization+of+neuron+soma+and+axons.">Fabrication of a microfluidic device for the compartmentalization of neuron soma and axons.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (7), (2007).</li><li>Duffy, D. C., McDonald, J. C., Schueller, O. J., Whitesides, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+prototyping+of+microfluidic+systems+in+poly(dimethylsiloxane).">Rapid prototyping of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane).</a> Anal. Chem. 70 (23), 4974-4984 (1998).</li><li>O'Donovan, B., Eastburn, D. J., Abate, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrode-free+picoinjection+of+microfluidic+drops.">Electrode-free picoinjection of microfluidic drops.</a> Lab on a Chip. 12 (20), 4029-4032 (2012).</li><li>Holtze, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biocompatible+surfactants+for+water-in-fluorocarbon+emulsions.">Biocompatible surfactants for water-in-fluorocarbon emulsions.</a> Lab on a Chip. 8 (10), 1632-1639 (2008).</li><li>Chung, C., Lee, M., Char, K., Ahn, K., Lee, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Droplet+dynamics+passing+through+obstructions+in+confined+microchannel+flow.">Droplet dynamics passing through obstructions in confined microchannel flow.</a> Microfluid. Nanofluid. 9, 1151-1163 (2010).</li><li>Herminghaus, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamical+instability+of+thin+liquid+films+between+conducting+media.">Dynamical instability of thin liquid films between conducting media.</a> Phys. Rev. Lett. 83 (12), 2359-2361 (1999).</li><li>Priest, C., Herminghaus, S., Seemann, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlled+electrocoalescence+in+microfluidics:+Targeting+a+single+lamella.">Controlled electrocoalescence in microfluidics: Targeting a single lamella.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 89 (13), 134101-134103 (2006).</li><li>Florent, M., Siva, A. V., Hao, G., Dirk, E., Frieder, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrowetting-controlled+droplet+generation+in+a+microfluidic+flow-focusing+device.">Electrowetting-controlled droplet generation in a microfluidic flow-focusing device.</a> J. Phys: Condens. Matter. 19 (46), (2007).</li><li>Eastburn, D. J., Sciambi, A., Abate, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Picoinjection+enables+digital+detection+of+RNA+with+droplet+rt-PCR.">Picoinjection enables digital detection of RNA with droplet rt-PCR.</a> PLoS ONE. 8 (4), (2013).</li></ol>

Non capiamo completamente esatto meccanismo fisico dietro il rapporto tra la tensione applicata e volume di iniezione osservato nei nostri esperimenti. Gli interessi del laboratorio e le rispettive aree di competenza non sono particolarmente adatti per perseguire questa domanda persistente. Incoraggiamo quelli con più fisica e acume di ingegneria per esplorare questo fenomeno.

Il rapporto tra volume di iniezione e la tensione applicata dipende da molti fattori tra cui le dimensioni del dispositivo, la lunghezza del tubo che trasporta il fluido picoinjection al dispositivo, molarità di fluido picoinjection, e la velocità delle gocce che passano essi iniettore. Per questo motivo si consiglia che il rapporto volume / Tensione essere caratterizzato prima di ogni corsa di picoinjection misurando volumi di iniezione ai bordi dei campi di lavoro di tensione e molarità. Inoltre, a tensioni superio...

In microfluidica basata gocciolina-, micron scala goccioline acquose sono usati come &quot;provette&quot; per reazioni biologiche. Il vantaggio di eseguire reazioni nelle minuscole goccioline è che ogni goccia utilizza solo qualche pl di reagente e, con microfluidica, le gocce può essere formato e trattati a tassi kilohertz 1. La combinazione di queste proprietà consentono milioni di reazioni con cellule singole, molecole di acido nucleico, o composti da eseguire in pochi minuti con pl di materiale totale. Per utilizzare gocce per applicazioni come queste, sono necessarie tecniche per l&#39;aggiunta di volumi controllati di reagenti per le gocce; tali operazioni sono analoghi a pipettare nelle provette. Un metodo per risolvere questo problema consiste electrocoalescence, in cui una goccia di reagente è fusa con la goccia di destinazione applicando un campo elettrico. Il campo elettrico interrompe la disposizione delle molecole di tensioattivo sulle interfacce delle gocce, inducing una instabilità a film sottile e innescando coalescenza in emulsioni che sono altrimenti stabili 2. Fusione elettricamente indotta viene sfruttata anche nel design del picoinjector, un dispositivo che inietta reagenti in gocce mentre fluiscono passato un canale in pressione 3. Per applicare il campo elettrico, dispositivi picoinjector utilizzano elettrodi metallici, ma l&#39;integrazione di elettrodi metallici in chip microfluidici è spesso un processo complesso e soggetto ad errori come i fili liquido-saldatura sono facilmente compromesse da bolle d&#39;aria o polvere e altri detriti nel canale , così come fratture da stress o di flessione durante l&#39;installazione del dispositivo. Presentiamo qui un metodo per eseguire picoinjection senza l&#39;uso di elettrodi metallici, rendendo la fabbricazione più semplice e più robusto. Per attivare picoinjection, noi invece utilizziamo il fluido di iniezione stesso come un elettrodo, poiché la maggior parte reagenti biologici contengono elettroliti disciolti e sono conduttivi. Aggiungiamo anche un &quot;Faraday Moat &quot;per schermare regioni sensibili del dispositivo e di agire come un terreno universale (Figura 1). Il fossato isola elettricamente le goccioline a monte del sito picoinjection fornendo un terreno, impedendo volute gocciolina fusione. Un ulteriore vantaggio della nostra tecnica è che l&#39; volume iniettato nelle gocce dipende dalla grandezza della tensione applicata, consente di essere regolato sintonizzando il segnale applicato. Noi costruiamo i nostri dispositivi in poli (dimetilsiloxano) (PDMS), utilizzando tecniche di fotolitografia morbide 4,5. Il nostro approccio è compatibile con i dispositivi fabbricati in altri materiali, come resine, plastiche e resine epossidiche. I canali hanno altezze e larghezze di 30 micron, che sono ottimali per lavorare con goccioline 50 micron di diametro (65 pl). Introduciamo reagenti tramite tubazione in polietilene (diametro interno / esterno 0.3/1.09 mm) inserito nelle porte create durante la fabbricazione di dispositivi con 0,50 millimetri punzoni di biopsia, simili ai metodi described in precedenza 5. La composizione esatta del fluido di iniezione dipende dall&#39;applicazione specifica. Il fluido bisogno solo contiene elettroliti disciolti in concentrazioni sufficienti per produrre conduttività sufficiente per il segnale elettrico da trasmettere al picoinjector. In prove al banco, abbiamo trovato che le concentrazioni ioniche superiori a 10 mm dovrebbero essere sufficienti 6, se questo valore e conducibilità del fluido dipendono dalle dimensioni dei dispositivi specifici e ampiezza della tensione applicata.

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		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">1 mL Leur-Lok&#8482; syringes</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">BD Medical</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:160px;">309628</td>
			<td style="width:415px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">LocTite UV-cured adhesive</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Henkel</td>
			<td align="right">35241</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:283px;">PE-2 Tubing</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Scientific Commodities</td>
			<td>BB31695-PE/2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Novec HFE-7500</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">98-0212-2928-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">NaCl</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">S9888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">1.5 mL centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:160px;">22363531</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">BD Falcon 15 ml tube</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:160px;">352097</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:283px;">Air Pressure Control Pump</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Control Air Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td style="width:415px;">We recommend one under the control of DAQ and control software</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Syringe Pumps</td>
			<td>New Era</td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td>Must be capable of holding 1ml syringes and flowing at rates as low as 100 uL/hr</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">HV-Amplfier</td>
			<td style="width:143px;"></td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td>Must be capable of 1000x amplification of signals between 0.01 and 10 V</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Plasma Bonder/Cleaner</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Harrick Plasma</td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">3&#8221; silicon wafers</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:160px;">647535</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">PDMS</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">Dow Corning</td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td>Sylgard 184 with curing agent should be included</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:283px;">SU-8 Photoresist</td>
			<td style="width:143px;">MicroChem</td>
			<td style="width:160px;"></td>
			<td>Viscocity depends on device dimensions</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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picoinjection of microfluidic drops without metal electrodes

Metodi esistenti per picoinjecting reagenti in gocce microfluidica richiedono elettrodi metallici integrati nel chip microfluidica. L&#39;integrazione di questi elettrodi aggiunge passaggi ingombranti e soggetti a errori del processo di fabbricazione del dispositivo. Abbiamo sviluppato una tecnica che elimina le necessità di elettrodi metallici durante picoinjection. Invece, utilizza il fluido di iniezione stesso come un elettrodo, poiché la maggior parte reagenti biologici contengono elettroliti disciolti e sono conduttivi. Eliminando gli elettrodi, riduciamo dispositivo tempo di fabbricazione e la complessità, e rendere i dispositivi più robusti. Inoltre, con il nostro approccio, il volume di iniezione dipende dalla tensione applicata alla soluzione picoinjection; questo ci permette di regolare rapidamente il volume iniettato modulando la tensione applicata. Abbiamo dimostrato che la nostra tecnica è compatibile con i reagenti contenenti composti biologici comuni, tra tamponi, enzimi e acidi nucleici.

Immagini microscopiche portati al sito picoinjection mostra che l&#39;elettrificazione del fluido picoinjection è sufficiente a provocare l&#39;iniezione (Figura 2). Il volume iniettato può essere controllata modulando l&#39;ampiezza della tensione applicata, con tensioni superiori che consentono elevati volumi di iniezione. Noi tracciamo il volume di iniezione rispetto l&#39;ampiezza della tensione applicata per tre molarità rappresentativi di liquido iniettabile in (Figura 3). Per ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Picoinjection of Microfluidic Drops Without Metal Electrodes at JoVE.com

Picoinjection of Microfluidic Drops Without Metal Electrodes

Abbiamo sviluppato una tecnica per picoinjecting gocce microfluidici che non richiedono elettrodi metallici. Come tale, dispositivi che incorporano la nostra tecnica sono più semplici da fabbricare e da usare.

Picoinjection di Microfluidic Gocce senza elettrodi in metallo

Existing methods for picoinjecting reagents into microfluidic drops require metal electrodes integrated into the microfluidic chip. The integration of ...

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11.0K Views.  Unversity of California, San Francisco.  Abbiamo sviluppato una tecnica per picoinjecting gocce microfluidici che non richiedono elettrodi metallici. Come tale, dispositivi che incorporano la nostra tecnica sono più semplici da fabbricare e da usare. 

Video: Picoinjection of Microfluidic Drops Without Metal Electrodes

Fabrication and Testing of Microfluidic Optomechanical Oscillators

Cavity optomechanics experiments that parametrically couple the phonon modes and photon modes have been investigated in various optical systems including microresonators. However, because of the increased acoustic radiative losses during direct liquid immersion of optomechanical devices, almost all published optomechanical experiments have been performed in solid phase. This paper discusses a recently introduced hollow microfluidic optomechanical resonator. Detailed methodology is provided to fabricate these ultra-high-Q microfluidic resonators, perform optomechanical testing, and measure radiation pressure-driven breathing mode and SBS-driven whispering gallery mode parametric vibrations. By confining liquids inside the capillary resonator, high mechanical- and optical- quality factors are simultaneously maintained.

Parametric optomechanical excitations have recently been experimentally demonstrated in microfluidic optomechanical resonators by means of optical radiation pressure and stimulated Brillouin scattering. This paper describes the fabrication of these microfluidic resonators along with methodologies for generating and verifying optomechanical oscillations.

Fabbricazione e la sperimentazione di microfluidici optomechanical Oscillatori

Cavity optomechanics experiments that parametrically couple the phonon modes and photon modes have been investigated in various optical systems including ...

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Ultrasound Velocity Measurement in a Liquid Metal Electrode

A growing number of electrochemical technologies depend on fluid flow, and often that fluid is opaque. Measuring the flow of an opaque fluid is inherently more difficult than measuring the flow of a transparent fluid, since optical methods are not applicable. Ultrasound can be used to measure the velocity of an opaque fluid, not only at isolated points, but at hundreds or thousands of points arrayed along lines, with good temporal resolution. When applied to a liquid metal electrode, ultrasound velocimetry involves additional challenges: high temperature, chemical activity, and electrical conductivity. Here we describe the experimental apparatus and methods that overcome these challenges and allow the measurement of flow in a liquid metal electrode, as it conducts current, at operating temperature. Temperature is regulated within &#177;2 &#176;C using a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller that powers a custom-built furnace. Chemical activity is managed by choosing vessel materials carefully and enclosing the experimental setup in an argon-filled glovebox. Finally, unintended electrical paths are carefully prevented. An automated system logs control settings and experimental measurements, using hardware trigger signals to synchronize devices. This apparatus and these methods can produce measurements that are impossible with other techniques, and allow optimization and control of electrochemical technologies like liquid metal batteries.

Ultrasound velocimetry is used to study mixing by fluid flow in liquid metal electrodes. The focus of this manuscript is to illustrate the methods used for making precise, spatially-resolved ultrasound measurements while limiting oxidation and controlling and monitoring temperature, applied current, and the heater power being supplied.

Ultrasuoni misura di velocità in un metallo elettrodo Liquid

A growing number of electrochemical technologies depend on fluid flow, and often that fluid is opaque. Measuring the flow of an opaque fluid is inherently ...

How to Ignite an Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch without Any Additional Igniters

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a stable and continuous operation of the plasma is possible and the plasma torch can be used for many different applications. On one hand, the hot (3,600 K gas temperature) plasma can be used for chemical processes and on the other hand the cold afterglow (temperatures down to almost RT) can be applied for surface processes. For example chemical syntheses are interesting volume processes. Here the microwave plasma torch can be used for the decomposition of waste gases which are harmful and contribute to the global warming but are needed as etching gases in growing industry sectors like the semiconductor branch. Another application is the dissociation of CO2. Surplus electrical energy from renewable energy sources can be used to dissociate CO2 to CO and O2. The CO can be further processed to gaseous or liquid higher hydrocarbons thereby providing chemical storage of the energy, synthetic fuels or platform chemicals for the chemical industry. Applications of the afterglow of the plasma torch are the treatment of surfaces to increase the adhesion of lacquer, glue or paint, and the sterilization or decontamination of different kind of surfaces. The movie will explain how to ignite the plasma solely by microwave power without any additional igniters, e.g., electric sparks. The microwave plasma torch is based on a combination of two resonators &#8212; a coaxial one which provides the ignition of the plasma and a cylindrical one which guarantees a continuous and stable operation of the plasma after ignition. The plasma can be operated in a long microwave transparent tube for volume processes or shaped by orifices for surface treatment purposes.

This movie shows how an atmospheric plasma torch can be ignited by microwaves with no additional igniters and provides a stable and continuous plasma operation suitable for plenty of applications.

Come Ignite una Pressione atmosferica Microonde torcia al plasma senza alcuna accenditori supplementari

This movie shows how an atmospheric pressure plasma torch can be ignited by microwave power with no additional igniters. After ignition of the plasma, a ...

Thermal Measurement Techniques in Analytical Microfluidic Devices

Thermal measurement techniques have been used for many applications such as thermal characterization of materials and chemical reaction detection. Micromachining techniques allow reduction of the thermal mass of fabricated structures and introduce the possibility to perform high sensitivity thermal measurements in the micro-scale and nano-scale devices. Combining thermal measurement techniques with microfluidic devices allows performing different analytical measurements with low sample consumption and reduced measurement time by integrating the miniaturized system on a single chip. The procedures of thermal measurement techniques for particle detection, material characterization, and chemical detection are introduced in this paper.

Here, we present three protocols for thermal measurements in microfluidic devices.

Tecniche di misurazione termali in Analytical dispositivi microfluidici

Thermal measurement techniques have been used for many applications such as thermal characterization of materials and chemical reaction detection. ...

Iridium Oxide-reduced Graphene Oxide Nanohybrid Thin Film Modified Screen-printed Electrodes as Disposable Electrochemical Paper Microfluidic pH Sensors

A facile, controllable, inexpensive and green electrochemical synthesis of IrO2-graphene nanohybrid thin films is developed to fabricate an easy-to-use integrated paper microfluidic electrochemical pH sensor for resource-limited settings. Taking advantages from both pH meters and strips, the pH sensing platform is composed of hydrophobic barrier-patterned paper micropad (&#181;PAD) using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with IrO2-graphene films and molded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic holder. Repetitive cathodic potential cycling was employed for graphene oxide (GO) reduction which can completely remove electrochemically unstable oxygenated groups and generate a 2D defect-free homogeneous graphene thin film with excellent stability and electronic properties. A uniform and smooth IrO2 film in nanoscale grain size is anodically electrodeposited onto the graphene film, without any observable cracks. The resulting IrO2-RGO electrode showed slightly super-Nernstian responses from pH 2-12 in Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffers with good linearity, small hysteresis, low response time and reproducibility in different buffers, as well as low sensitivities to different interfering ionic species and dissolved oxygen. A simple portable digital pH meter is fabricated, whose signal is measured with a multimeter, using high input-impedance operational amplifier and consumer batteries. The pH values measured with the portable electrochemical paper-microfluidic pH sensors were consistent with those measured using a commercial laboratory pH meter with a glass electrode.

The study demonstrates the growth of iridium oxide-reduced graphene oxide (IrO2-RGO) nanohybrid thin films on irregular and rough screen-printed carbon substrate through a green electrochemical synthesis, and their implementation as a pH sensor with a patterned paper-fluidic platform.

Grafene ossido nanoibrido film sottile elettrodi serigrafati Iridium ossido-riduzione modificato come usa e getta di carta elettrochimica microfluidici pH Sensori

A facile, controllable, inexpensive and green electrochemical synthesis of IrO2-graphene nanohybrid thin films is developed to fabricate an easy-to-use ...

Knowledge Based Cloud FE Simulation of Sheet Metal Forming Processes

The use of Finite Element (FE) simulation software to adequately predict the outcome of sheet metal forming processes is crucial to enhancing the efficiency and lowering the development time of such processes, whilst reducing costs involved in trial-and-error prototyping. Recent focus on the substitution of steel components with aluminum alloy alternatives in the automotive and aerospace sectors has increased the need to simulate the forming behavior of such alloys for ever more complex component geometries. However these alloys, and in particular their high strength variants, exhibit limited formability at room temperature, and high temperature manufacturing technologies have been developed to form them. Consequently, advanced constitutive models are required to reflect the associated temperature and strain rate effects. Simulating such behavior is computationally very expensive using conventional FE simulation techniques.
This paper presents a novel Knowledge Based Cloud FE (KBC-FE) simulation technique that combines advanced material and friction models with conventional FE simulations in an efficient manner thus enhancing the capability of commercial simulation software packages. The application of these methods is demonstrated through two example case studies, namely: the prediction of a material's forming limit under hot stamping conditions, and the tool life prediction under multi-cycle loading conditions.

The following paper presents a novel FE simulation technique (KBC-FE), which reduces computational cost by performing simulations on a cloud computing environment, through the application of individual modules. Moreover, it establishes a seamless collaborative network between world leading scientists, enabling the integration of cutting edge knowledge modules into FE simulations.

La conoscenza basate su cloud FE Simulazione di stampaggio della lamiera Processi

The use of Finite Element (FE) simulation software to adequately predict the outcome of sheet metal forming processes is crucial to enhancing the ...

Electrospinning of Photocatalytic Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

This work demonstrates a protocol to fabricate a fiber-based photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells, consisting of a light-scattering layer made of electrospun titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO2-NFs) on top of a blocking layer made of commercially available titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). This is achieved by first electrospinning a solution of titanium (IV) butoxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and glacial acetic acid in ethanol to obtain composite PVP/TiO2 nanofibers. These are then calcined at 500 &#176;C to remove the PVP and to obtain pure anatase-phase titania nanofibers. This material is characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoanode is prepared by first creating a blocking layer through the deposition of a TiO2-NPs/terpineol slurry on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass slide using doctor blading techniques. A subsequent thermal treatment is performed at 500 &#176;C. Then, the light-scattering layer is formed by depositing a TiO2-NFs/terpineol slurry on the same slide, using the same technique, and calcinating again at 500 &#176;C. The performance of the photoanode is tested by fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell and measuring its efficiency through J-V curves under a range of incident light densities, from 0.25-1 Sun.

The overall goal of this project was to use electrospinning to fabricate a photoanode with improved performance for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Elettrospinning degli elettrodi fotocatalitici per le celle solari sensibilizzate a tinte

This work demonstrates a protocol to fabricate a fiber-based photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells, consisting of a light-scattering layer made of ...

Scalable Solution-processed Fabrication Strategy for High-performance, Flexible, Transparent Electrodes with Embedded Metal Mesh

Here, the authors report the embedded metal-mesh transparent electrode (EMTE), a new transparent electrode (TE) with a metal mesh completely embedded in a polymer film. This paper also presents a low-cost, vacuum-free fabrication method for this novel TE; the approach combines lithography, electroplating, and imprint transfer (LEIT) processing. The embedded nature of the EMTEs offers many advantages, such as high surface smoothness, which is essential for organic electronic device production; superior mechanical stability during bending; favorable resistance to chemicals and moisture; and strong adhesion with plastic film. LEIT fabrication features an electroplating process for vacuum-free metal deposition and is favorable for industrial mass production. Furthermore, LEIT allows for the fabrication of metal mesh with a high aspect ratio (i.e., thickness to linewidth), significantly enhancing its electrical conductance without adversely losing optical transmittance. We demonstrate several prototypes of flexible EMTEs, with sheet resistances lower than 1 &#937;/sq and transmittances greater than 90%, resulting in very high figures of merit (FoM) &#8211; up to 1.5 x 104 &#8211; which are amongst the best values in the published literature.

This protocol describes a solution-based fabrication strategy for high-performance, flexible, transparent electrodes with fully-embedded, thick metal mesh. Flexible transparent electrodes fabricated by this process demonstrate among the highest reported performances, including ultra-low sheet resistance, high optical transmittance, mechanical stability under bending, strong substrate adhesion, surface smoothness, and environmental stability.

Strategia di Fabbricazione elaborata in soluzione scalabile per elettrodi ad alte prestazioni, flessibili e trasparenti con maglia metallica incorporata

Here, the authors report the embedded metal-mesh transparent electrode (EMTE), a new transparent electrode (TE) with a metal mesh completely embedded in a ...

Growth and Electrostatic/chemical Properties of Metal/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 Heterostructures

The quasi 2D electron system (q2DES) that forms at the interface between LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) has attracted much attention from the oxide electronics community. One of its hallmark features is the existence of a critical LAO thickness of 4 unit-cells (uc) for interfacial conductivity to emerge. Although electrostatic mechanisms have been proposed in the past to describe the existence of this critical thickness, the importance of chemical defects has been recently accentuated. Here, we describe the growth of metal/LAO/STO heterostructures in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) cluster system combining pulsed laser deposition (to grow the LAO), magnetron sputtering (to grow the metal) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We study step by step the formation and evolution of the q2DES and the chemical interactions that occur between the metal and the LAO/STO. Additionally, magnetotransport experiments elucidate on the transport and electronic properties of the q2DES. This systematic work not only demonstrates a way to study the electrostatic and chemical interplay between the q2DES and its environment, but also unlocks the possibility to couple multifunctional capping layers with the rich physics observed in two-dimensional electron systems, allowing the fabrication of new types of devices.

Growth and Electrostatic/chemical Properties of Metal/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 Heterostructures

We fabricate metal/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures using a combination of pulsed laser deposition and in situ magnetron sputtering. Through magnetotransport and in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, we investigate the interplay between electrostatic and chemical phenomena of the quasi two-dimensional electron gas formed in this system.

Crescita ed elettrostatico/chimica proprietà di metallo/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 eterostrutture

The quasi 2D electron system (q2DES) that forms at the interface between LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) has attracted much attention from the oxide ...

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Metal Surfaces for Anti-Icing Applications

Several ways to produce superhydrophobic metal surfaces are presented in this work. Aluminum was chosen as the metal substrate due to its wide use in industry. The wettability of the produced surface was analyzed by bouncing drop experiments and the topography was analyzed by confocal microscopy. In addition, we show various methodologies to measure its durability and anti-icing properties. Superhydrophobic surfaces hold a special texture that must be preserved to keep their water-repellency. To fabricate durable surfaces, we followed two strategies to incorporate a resistant texture. The first strategy is a direct incorporation of roughness to the metal substrate by acid etching. After this surface texturization, the surface energy was decreased by silanization or fluoropolymer deposition. The second strategy is the growth of a ceria layer (after surface texturization) that should enhance the surface hardness and corrosion resistance. The surface energy was decreased with a stearic acid film.
The durability of the superhydrophobic surfaces was examined by a particle impact test, mechanical wear by lateral abrasion, and UV-ozone resistance. The anti-icing properties were explored by studying the ability to repeal subcooled water, freezing delay, and ice adhesion.

We illustrate several methodologies to produce superhydrophobic metal surfaces and to explore their durability and anti-icing properties.

Fabbricazione di superfici superidrofobiche metalliche per applicazioni Anti-Icing

Several ways to produce superhydrophobic metal surfaces are presented in this work. Aluminum was chosen as the metal substrate due to its wide use in ...