Microfluidic manipulation by spiral hollow-fibre actuators

Sitong Li, Rui Zhang, Guanghao Zhang, Luyizheng Shuai, Wang Chang, Xiaoyu Hu, Min Zou, Xiang Zhou, Baigang An, Dong Qian and Zunfeng Liu ()
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Sitong Li: Nankai University
Rui Zhang: University of Texas at Dallas
Guanghao Zhang: Nankai University
Luyizheng Shuai: Nankai University
Wang Chang: Nankai University
Xiaoyu Hu: Nankai University
Min Zou: Nankai University
Xiang Zhou: Nankai University
Baigang An: University of Science and Technology Liaoning
Dong Qian: University of Texas at Dallas
Zunfeng Liu: Nankai University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract A microfluidic manipulation system that can sense a liquid and control its flow is highly desirable. However, conventional sensors and motors have difficulty fitting the limited space in microfluidic devices; moreover, fast sensing and actuation are required because of the fast liquid flow in the hollow fibre. In this study, fast torsional and tensile actuators were developed using hollow fibres employing spiral nonlinear stress, which can sense the fluid temperature and sort the fluid into the desired vessels. The fluid-driven actuation exhibited a highly increased response speed (27 times as fast as that of air-driven actuation) and increased power density (90 times that of an air-driven solid fibre actuator). A 0.5 K fluid temperature fluctuation produced a 20° rotation of the hollow fibre. These high performances originated from increments in both heat transfer and the average bias angle, which was understood through theoretical analysis. This work provides a new design strategy for intelligent microfluidics and inspiration for soft robots and smart devices for biological, optical, or magnetic applications.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29088-9

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