David S. W. Lim

Compartmentalization of Chemically Separated Components into Droplets

Not merely a drop in the ocean: The integration of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with droplet generation driven by electroosmotic flow enabled the compartimentalization of molecular components separated by CE in a series of droplets (see picture; the green bars represent the separated analytes). The droplet-confined bands can be docked and studied on a chip.

Fabrication of thermoset polyester microfluidic devices and embossing masters using rapid prototyped polydimethylsiloxane molds

Plastics are increasingly being used for the fabrication of Lab-on-a-Chip devices due to the variety of beneficial material properties, affordable cost, and straightforward fabrication methods available from a range of different types of plastics. Rapid prototyping of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices has become a well-known process for the quick and easy fabrication of microfluidic devices in the research laboratory; however, PDMS is not always an appropriate material for every application. This paper describes the fabrication of thermoset polyester microfluidic devices and masters for hot embossing using replica molding techniques. Rapid prototyped PDMS molds are convienently used for the production of non-PDMS polymeric devices. The recessed features in the cast polyester can be bonded to a second polyester piece to form an enclosed microchannel. Thermoset polyester can withstand moderate amounts of pressure and elevated temperature; therefore, the cast polyester piece also can be used as a master for embossing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic systems. Examples of enclosed polyester and PMMA microchannels are presented, and we discuss the electroosmotic properties of both types of channels, which are important for analytical applications such as capillary electrophoresis.

Simultaneous Generation of Multiple Aqueous Droplets in a Microfluidic Device

This paper describes a microfluidic platform for the on-demand generation of multiple aqueous droplets, with varying chemical contents or chemical concentrations, for use in droplet based experiments. This generation technique was developed as a complement to existing techniques of continuous-flow (streaming) and discrete-droplet generation by enabling the formation of multiple discrete droplets simultaneously. Here sets of droplets with varying chemical contents can be generated without running the risk of cross-contamination due to the isolated nature of each supply inlet. The use of pressure pulses to generate droplets in parallel is described, and the effect of droplet size is examined in the context of flow rates and surfactant concentrations. To illustrate this technique, an array of different dye-containing droplets was generated, as well as a set of droplets that displayed a concentration gradient of a fluorescent dye.

Dynamic formation of ring-shaped patterns of colloidal particles in microfluidic systems

This letter reports the formation of patterns of micrometer-sized beads within the steady-state recirculation flow of a microvortex generated in a microfluidic system. The mechanism by which these patterns form relies on a delicate balance between the centrifugal and displacement forces experienced by the recirculating particles with a lift force exerted on the particles near the solid boundary of the microcavity. Our observation was made possible by the small dimensions of the microchannels we used and by the presence of steep velocity gradients unique to microfluidic devices.

The Generation, Characterization and Application of Microvortices in Microfluidic Systems (Keynote Paper)

This review describes the formation of microvortices in microfluidic systems, and discusses our experimental measurements that illustrate the velocity profiles inside such microvortices. Because of the micrometer dimensions of these vortices and the presence of high rotational velocities, we have observed a number of unique phenomena. One example is the dynamic formation of ring patterns of particles within the microvortex. The mechanism by which these patterns form relies on a balance between the centrifugal and displacement forces experienced by the re-circulating particles with a lift force exerted on the particles near the solid boundary of the microcavity. We also demonstrate the ability to orient and rotate precisely micro and nanometer -sized particles, individual DNA molecules, and single cells. Because of the high linear velocity (m/s) of fluid flow in constricted microchannels and to the small radii (< 10μm) of the microvortices, we have measured the presence of ultrahigh radial accelerations (v2 /r) in such microvortices, which can reach 107 m/s2 or 106 times the gravitational acceleration (g).Copyright