Flow-induced particle migration microfluidics-the experimenter's comprehensive review.

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Flow-induced particle migration microfluidics (FIPMM) encompasses inertial, viscoelastic, and elasto-inertial phenomena.
• These microfluidic techniques are increasingly vital for manipulating and separating nanoscale particles, including exosomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of FIPMM.
• To focus on the use of microfluidic platforms for exosome separation and manipulation.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications in nanoscale particle separation.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of the interplay between inertial and elastic forces in microfluidic channels.
• Synthesis of existing research on FIPMM for particle separation.
• Analysis of advantages, challenges, and limitations of current FIPMM methods.

Main Results:

• FIPMM enables enhanced resolution, throughput, and scalability in nanoscale particle separation without chemical labeling.
• The study highlights the potential of microfluidics for precise manipulation of exosomes.
• Key limitations including device fabrication, material properties, and reproducibility are identified.

Conclusions:

• FIPMM presents a promising label-free approach for nanoscale particle separation, particularly for exosomes.
• Addressing identified limitations is crucial for advancing the practical implementation and scalability of FIPMM.
• This review offers strategic insights for researchers and engineers entering or working in the FIPMM field.