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High-throughput nanoparticle manipulation via controlled electro-elasticity and Joule heating in microchannels
Xinlei Qi1, Shuhao Ma1, Guoqing Hu1
1Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China. ghu@zju.edu.cn.
Lab on a Chip
|October 10, 2025
Summary
This study presents a novel microfluidic technique for precise nanoparticle manipulation using electro-elasticity and Joule heating. The method achieves high-throughput, continuous NP focusing while mitigating thermal damage, advancing nanotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Effective nanoparticle (NP) manipulation is vital for applications like drug delivery and biomolecule sorting.
- Current methods face challenges in continuous enrichment and precise focusing of NPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-throughput microfluidic method for precise NP manipulation.
- To leverage controlled electro-elasticity and Joule heating for NP focusing.
- To overcome limitations of existing NP manipulation techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a microfluidic system combining electro-elasticity and Joule heating.
- Investigated NP manipulation using slip velocity in viscoelastic flow.
- Employed a dry-ice-based system for temperature control to mitigate Joule heating.
- Determined optimal control parameters like electric field strength, flow velocity, and polymer concentration.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-throughput focusing of 100 nm particles in a rectangular microchannel.
- Demonstrated effective focusing of 20 nm particles using temperature control.
- Identified optimal parameters for NP manipulation.
- Showcased a method balancing high-energy input with thermal effect mitigation.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic method offers precise and high-throughput NP manipulation.
- This approach enables rapid and gentle enrichment of diverse nanoparticle types.
- The technique overcomes limitations of existing NP manipulation strategies.
