Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:10
Synthesizing Lipid Nanoparticles by Turbulent Flow in Confined Impinging Jet Mixers
Published on: August 23, 2024
3D-Printed Milli-Fluidic Mixing-Extrusion Platform for Continuous, High-Throughput LNP Production
Leekang Jeon1, Seeun Kim1, Hanjin Seo1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 3, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel hybrid platform for manufacturing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), overcoming scalability and cost issues. The reusable milli-fluidic system achieves precise, continuous LNP production, enhancing therapeutic delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are crucial for delivering mRNA vaccines and genetic medicines.
- Current LNP manufacturing methods face challenges in balancing precision, scalability, and cost.
- Microfluidics offers particle control but suffers from fouling and expensive disposable chips, hindering reproducible production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a scalable, cost-effective, and contamination-resistant platform for LNP manufacturing.
- To address the limitations of existing microfluidic and bulk LNP synthesis methods.
- To improve the reproducibility and efficiency of industrial LNP production.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a reusable 3D-printed milli-fluidic mixer with inline membrane extrusion.
- Engineering a robust 3D internal architecture at the milli-scale for rapid mixing and reduced clogging.
- Continuous synthesis enabling single-pass refinement of LNPs.
Main Results:
- Achieved rapid mixing and mitigated clogging risks compared to micro-channels.
- Demonstrated enhanced process reproducibility with a durable, easy-to-clean system.
- Produced high-quality, uniform LNPs at flow rates up to 20 mL/min.
Conclusions:
- The hybrid continuous synthesis platform offers a scalable and cost-effective pathway for industrial LNP manufacturing.
- This system overcomes the limitations of disposable cartridge-based microfluidic systems.
- The developed technology streamlines LNP production, improving accessibility for therapeutic applications.
