TY - JOUR
T1 - A review on inertial microfluidic fabrication methods
AU - Akbari, Zohreh
AU - Raoufi, Mohammad Amin
AU - Mirjalali, Sheyda
AU - Aghajanloo, Behrouz
N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - In recent decades, there has been significant interest in inertial microfluidics due to its high throughput, ease of fabrication, and no need for external forces. The focusing efficiency of inertial microfluidic systems relies entirely on the geometrical features of microchannels because hydrodynamic forces (inertial lift forces and Dean drag forces) are the main driving forces in inertial microfluidic devices. In the past few years, novel microchannel structures have been propounded to improve particle manipulation efficiency. However, the fabrication of these unconventional structures has remained a serious challenge. Although researchers have pushed forward the frontiers of microfabrication technologies, the fabrication techniques employed for inertial microfluidics have not been discussed comprehensively. This review introduces the microfabrication approaches used for creating inertial microchannels, including photolithography, xurography, laser cutting, micromachining, microwire technique, etching, hot embossing, 3D printing, and injection molding. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods have also been discussed. Then, the techniques are reviewed regarding resolution, structures, cost, and materials. This review provides a thorough insight into the manufacturing methods of inertial microchannels, which could be helpful for future studies to improve the harvesting yield and resolution by choosing a proper fabrication technique.
AB - In recent decades, there has been significant interest in inertial microfluidics due to its high throughput, ease of fabrication, and no need for external forces. The focusing efficiency of inertial microfluidic systems relies entirely on the geometrical features of microchannels because hydrodynamic forces (inertial lift forces and Dean drag forces) are the main driving forces in inertial microfluidic devices. In the past few years, novel microchannel structures have been propounded to improve particle manipulation efficiency. However, the fabrication of these unconventional structures has remained a serious challenge. Although researchers have pushed forward the frontiers of microfabrication technologies, the fabrication techniques employed for inertial microfluidics have not been discussed comprehensively. This review introduces the microfabrication approaches used for creating inertial microchannels, including photolithography, xurography, laser cutting, micromachining, microwire technique, etching, hot embossing, 3D printing, and injection molding. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods have also been discussed. Then, the techniques are reviewed regarding resolution, structures, cost, and materials. This review provides a thorough insight into the manufacturing methods of inertial microchannels, which could be helpful for future studies to improve the harvesting yield and resolution by choosing a proper fabrication technique.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175205660&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/5.0163970
DO - 10.1063/5.0163970
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37869745
AN - SCOPUS:85175205660
SN - 1932-1058
VL - 17
SP - 051504-1-051504-19
JO - Biomicrofluidics
JF - Biomicrofluidics
IS - 5
M1 - 051504
ER -