Zweifach-Fung Microfluidic Device for Efficient Microparticle Separation: Cost-Effective Fabrication Using CO₂...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Microfluidic separators are crucial for precise fluid handling in various industries.
• Conventional fabrication methods rely on expensive cleanroom facilities, hindering accessibility.
• The passive Zweifach-Fung principle offers a potential alternative for cost-effective microfluidic device fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, cost-effective microfluidic separator.
• To overcome the financial barriers associated with traditional microfluidic device fabrication.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of the Zweifach-Fung principle in microfluidic particle separation.

Main Methods:

• Lagrangian computational simulations were employed to optimize microfluidic channel design.
• An eleven-channel Zweifach-Fung configuration was computationally modeled.
• Experimental validation was conducted to assess particle separation performance.
• Fabrication was performed using a non-cleanroom, cost-effective method.

Main Results:

• The optimized eleven-channel design achieved a 100% recall rate for normally distributed particles.
• Optimal performance was observed at a total flow rate (TFR) of 2 mL/h.
• The device demonstrated high precision and recall for micrometer-sized particles, with 94% ± 3% overall accuracy.
• Fabrication costs were reduced to less than USD 0.90 per chip, with a 15-minute manufacturing time.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic separator offers a significant cost reduction compared to traditional methods.
• The device provides high operational efficacy, making microfluidic technology more accessible.
• This approach sets a new benchmark for affordable and efficient microfluidic device development.