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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
12:26
Fabrication, Operation and Flow Visualization in Surface-acoustic-wave-driven Acoustic-counterflow Microfluidics
Published on: August 27, 2013
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Traveling surface acoustic wave (TSAW) microfluidic fluorescence activated cell sorter (μFACS)
K Mutafopulos1, P Spink, C D Lofstrom
1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. weitz@seas.harvard.edu.
Lab on a Chip
|June 14, 2019
Summary
A novel microfluidic fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (μFACS) device uses traveling surface acoustic waves (TSAW) for high-speed, high-purity cell sorting. This technology achieves results comparable to conventional machines while maintaining excellent cell viability.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Acoustic Cell Sorting
Background:
- Conventional fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) machines face limitations in throughput and complexity.
- Microfluidic devices offer potential for miniaturized and efficient cell analysis.
- Acoustic waves present a label-free method for manipulating cells in microfluidic systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a microfluidic fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (μFACS) device.
- To utilize traveling surface acoustic waves (TSAW) for high-performance cell sorting.
- To achieve sorting rates, purity, and viability comparable to conventional FACS.
Main Methods:
- Integration of inertial flow focusing and sheath flow for cell alignment and spacing.
- Employment of a tapered interdigital transducer (IDT) for precise TSAW positioning.
- Sorting of three distinct cell lines using the μFACS device.
Main Results:
- Cell sorting achieved at rates comparable to conventional jet-in-air FACS machines.
- High sorting purity and cell viability (around 90%) were maintained simultaneously.
- High-throughput sorting demonstrated at several kHz with cell velocities exceeding 1 m/s.
Conclusions:
- The developed μFACS device offers a promising alternative to conventional FACS for high-throughput cell sorting.
- TSAW technology enables efficient and gentle manipulation of cells in microfluidic systems.
- The device demonstrates potential for various applications in cell biology and diagnostics.
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