Limitation of spiral microchannels for small particle separation in heterogeneous mixtures: impact of particles' size and deformability

Guzniczak, E., Krüger, T., Bridle, H. and Jimenez, M. (2020) Limitation of spiral microchannels for small particle separation in heterogeneous mixtures: impact of particles' size and deformability. Biomicrofluidics, 14(4), 044113. (doi: 10.1063/5.0009673)

Abstract

Spiral microchannels have shown promising results for separation applications. Hydrodynamic particle-particle interactions are a known factor strongly influencing focussing behaviours in inertial devices, with recent work highlighting how the performance of bidisperse mixtures is altered when compared with pure components, in square channels. This phenomenon has not been previously investigated in detail for spiral channels. Here, we demonstrate that, in spiral channels, both the proportion and deformability of larger particles (13 μm diameter) impact upon the recovery (up to 47% decrease) of small rigid particles (4 μm). The effect, observed at low concentrations (volume fraction <0.0012), is attributed to the hydrodynamic capture of beads by larger cells. These changes in particles focussing behaviour directly impede the efficiency of the separation – diverting beads from locations expected from measurements with pure populations to co-collection with larger cells – and could hamper deployment of the technology for certain applications. Similar focussing behaviour alterations were noted when working with purification of stem cell end products.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jimenez, Dr Melanie
• Authors: Guzniczak, E., Krüger, T., Bridle, H., and Jimenez, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Biomicrofluidics
• Publisher: AIP Publishing
• ISSN: 1932-1058
• ISSN (Online): 1932-1058
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Biomicrofluidics 14(4):044113
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301559		Tackling antimicrobial resistance: engineering new microsystems for rapid bacteria purification	Melanie Jimenez	Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)	RF\201718\1741	ENG - Biomedical Engineering
302160		New Microsystems for Antimicrobial Resistance	Melanie Jimenez	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/R006482/1	ENG - Biomedical Engineering