Webinar #23: Applications of Acoustofluidics in Cell Manipulation and Micromachine Actuation

Abstract: 

Since the inception of the field of acoustofluidics (the fusion of microfluidics and acoustics), significant progress has been shown within the realm of microfluidics and micro-machines. From acoustically powered micro-machines to cell–cell interactions, acoustic waves have been implemented in numerous applications in physical, chemical, biological and engineering research. The interaction of sound waves with solids, liquids and gasses offers highly versatile means of translational and rotational manipulation capacity in acoustic tweezers. For example, size, density, or stiffness-based cell isolation methods have been explored as new methods of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnostics and research. This growing field of acoustic microfluidics holds strong promise for a wide range of in vivo studies, in part, owing to the tissue penetration nature of sound waves, which, being non-invasive, can be applied as low-power gentle waves or, proving their versatility, as a high-power probe to intervene with cells and tissues. This dexterity and versatility make acoustofluidics an important field to be explored further to advance the technology and solve new and more challenging problems.