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Updated: Jan 23, 2026
10:14
Fabrication and Operation of Acoustofluidic Devices Supporting Bulk Acoustic Standing Waves for Sheathless Focusing of Particles
Published on: March 6, 2016
13.4K
Acoustofluidic separation of cells and particles
Mengxi Wu1, Adem Ozcelik2, Joseph Rufo1
11Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 USA.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|June 25, 2019
Summary
Acoustofluidics uses sound waves to separate biological targets from complex fluids without labels. This technology offers label-free, biocompatible cell separation for medical and research applications.
Area of Science:
- Interdisciplinary science integrating acoustics and microfluidics.
- Applications spanning biology, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Background:
- Acoustofluidics enables label-free, biocompatible, and contact-free separation of biological targets.
- Acoustic fields can isolate cells and bioparticles with high yield and purity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the principles and methods of acoustofluidic separation.
- To highlight traditional and emerging applications of acoustofluidics in various fields.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of working principles behind acoustofluidic separation techniques.
- Comparison of different acoustofluidic separation approaches.
- Synopsis of current and future applications.
Main Results:
- Acoustofluidics provides a powerful tool for isolating bioparticles from complex mixtures.
- Advances include automated, point-of-care devices for sub-micron bioparticle isolation.
- Rapid translation of lab research to clinical problem-solving.
Conclusions:
- Acoustofluidic separation is a versatile technology with significant potential in both research and clinical settings.
- Emerging applications like circulating tumor cell and exosome isolation show great promise.
- The technology addresses limitations of conventional separation methods.
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