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BioMEMS and Cellular Biology: Perspectives and Applications
Published on: October 1, 2007
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Cellular fluidics
Nikola A Dudukovic1, Erika J Fong1, Hawi B Gemeda1
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
Nature
|July 1, 2021
Summary
Cellular fluidics utilizes 3D printed, unit-cell-based structures for precise control over multiphase flow, transport, and reactions. This innovative platform enables programmed fluidic behavior for applications like gas-liquid transport and selective material deposition.
Area of Science:
- Multiphase flow and reaction engineering
- Bio-inspired and biomimetic systems
- Advanced materials and fabrication
Background:
- Natural systems exhibit optimized multiphase transport across various scales.
- Existing microfluidic devices are limited in engineering complex multiphase processes.
- Replicating biological systems for fluidic control remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce cellular fluidics as a novel platform for deterministic multiphase flow control.
- Demonstrate the programmability of fluidic transport through architected cellular design.
- Explore applications in gas-liquid transport, evaporative cooling, and CO2 capture.
Main Methods:
- Development of 3D printed, unit-cell-based structures for fluidic control.
- Architected design of cell type, size, and density to program flow behavior.
- Experimental demonstration of gas-liquid transport, capillary-driven flow, and active pumping.
- Selective metallization for pattern generation within cellular fluidic devices.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated programmable gas-liquid transport, including transpiration and absorption.
- Showcased preferential liquid and gas pathways in 3D cellular fluidic devices.
- Achieved selective metallization on pre-programmed patterns.
- Validated deterministic control of fluidic transport through design and predictive modeling.
Conclusions:
- Cellular fluidics offers precise, programmable control over multiphase transport and reactions in 3D.
- Architected cellular materials combined with predictive modeling are key to deterministic fluidic control.
- This platform has the potential to revolutionize spatial and temporal control in multiphase processes.
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