Editorial

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2 pages, 144 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue on Advances in Optofluidics

by Xuming Zhang

Micromachines 2018, 9(6), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9060302 - 15 Jun 2018

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Abstract

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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

Review

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19 pages, 2644 KiB

Open AccessReview

High-Throughput Optofluidic Acquisition of Microdroplets in Microfluidic Systems

by Zain Hayat and Abdel I. El Abed

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040183 - 14 Apr 2018

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6689

Abstract

Droplet optofluidics technology aims at manipulating the tiny volume of fluids confined in micro-droplets with light, while exploiting their interaction to create “digital” micro-systems with highly significant scientific and technological interests. Manipulating droplets with light is particularly attractive since the latter provides wavelength [...] Read more.

Droplet optofluidics technology aims at manipulating the tiny volume of fluids confined in micro-droplets with light, while exploiting their interaction to create “digital” micro-systems with highly significant scientific and technological interests. Manipulating droplets with light is particularly attractive since the latter provides wavelength and intensity tunability, as well as high temporal and spatial resolution. In this review study, we focus mainly on recent methods developed in order to monitor real-time analysis of droplet size and size distribution, active merging of microdroplets using light, or to use microdroplets as optical probes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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20 pages, 4879 KiB

Open AccessReview

Light Manipulation in Inhomogeneous Liquid Flow and Its Application in Biochemical Sensing

by Yunfeng Zuo, Xiaoqiang Zhu, Yang Shi, Li Liang and Yi Yang

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040163 - 02 Apr 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4204

Abstract

Light manipulation has always been the fundamental subject in the field of optics since centuries ago. Traditional optical devices are usually designed using glasses and other materials, such as semiconductors and metals. Optofluidics is the combination of microfluidics and optics, which brings a [...] Read more.

Light manipulation has always been the fundamental subject in the field of optics since centuries ago. Traditional optical devices are usually designed using glasses and other materials, such as semiconductors and metals. Optofluidics is the combination of microfluidics and optics, which brings a host of new advantages to conventional solid systems. The capabilities of light manipulation and biochemical sensing are inherent alongside the emergence of optofluidics. This new research area promotes advancements in optics, biology, and chemistry. The development of fast, accurate, low-cost, and small-sized biochemical micro-sensors is an urgent demand for real-time monitoring. However, the fluid flow in the on-chip sensor is usually non-uniformed, which is a new and emerging challenge for the accuracy of optical detection. It is significant to reveal the principle of light propagation in an inhomogeneous liquid flow and the interaction between biochemical samples and light in flowing liquids. In this review, we summarize the current state of optofluidic lab-on-a-chip techniques from the perspective of light modulation by the unique dynamic properties of fluid in heterogeneous media, such as diffusion, heat transfer, and centrifugation etc. Furthermore, this review introduces several novel photonic phenomena in an inhomogeneous liquid flow and demonstrates their application in biochemical sensing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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16 pages, 10350 KiB

Open AccessReview

Passive Mixing inside Microdroplets

by Chengmin Chen, Yingjie Zhao, Jianmei Wang, Pingan Zhu, Ye Tian, Min Xu, Liqiu Wang and Xiaowen Huang

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040160 - 01 Apr 2018

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6549

Abstract

Droplet-based micromixers are essential units in many microfluidic devices for widespread applications, such as diagnostics and synthesis. The mixers can be either passive or active. When compared to active methods, the passive mixer is widely used because it does not require extra energy [...] Read more.

Droplet-based micromixers are essential units in many microfluidic devices for widespread applications, such as diagnostics and synthesis. The mixers can be either passive or active. When compared to active methods, the passive mixer is widely used because it does not require extra energy input apart from the pump drive. In recent years, several passive droplet-based mixers were developed, where mixing was characterized by both experiments and simulation. A unified physical understanding of both experimental processes and simulation models is beneficial for effectively developing new and efficient mixing techniques. This review covers the state-of-the-art passive droplet-based micromixers in microfluidics, which mainly focuses on three aspects: (1) Mixing parameters and analysis method; (2) Typical mixing element designs and the mixing characters in experiments; and, (3) Comprehensive introduction of numerical models used in microfluidic flow and diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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7 pages, 8636 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optofluid-Based Reflective Displays

by Mingliang Jin, Shitao Shen, Zichuan Yi, Guofu Zhou and Lingling Shui

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040159 - 01 Apr 2018

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4379

Abstract

Displays can present information like text, images, or videos in a different color (visible light) by activating the materials in pixels. In a display device, pixels are typically of micrometer size and filled with displaying materials that are aligned and controlled by a [...] Read more.

Displays can present information like text, images, or videos in a different color (visible light) by activating the materials in pixels. In a display device, pixels are typically of micrometer size and filled with displaying materials that are aligned and controlled by a display driver integrated circuit. Typical reflective displays can show designed information by manipulating ambient light via the microfluidic behavior in pixels driven by electrophoresis, electrowetting, or electromechanical forces. In this review, we describe the basic working principles and device structures of three reflective displays of electrophoresis display (EPD), electrowetting display (EWD), and interferometric modulator display (IMOD). The optofluidic behavior and controlling factors relating to the display performance are summarized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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14 pages, 36406 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optofluidic Technology for Water Quality Monitoring

by Ning Wang, Ting Dai and Lei Lei

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040158 - 01 Apr 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5978

Abstract

Water quality-related incidents are attracting attention globally as they cause serious diseases and even threaten human lives. The current detection and monitoring methods are inadequate because of their long operation time, high cost, and complex process. In this context, there is an increasing [...] Read more.

Water quality-related incidents are attracting attention globally as they cause serious diseases and even threaten human lives. The current detection and monitoring methods are inadequate because of their long operation time, high cost, and complex process. In this context, there is an increasing demand for low-cost, multiparameter, real-time, and continuous-monitoring methods at a higher temporal and spatial resolution. Optofluidic water quality sensors have great potential to satisfy this requirement due to their distinctive features including high throughput, small footprint, and low power consumption. This paper reviews the current development of these sensors for heavy metal, organic, and microbial pollution monitoring, which will breed new research ideas and broaden their applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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19 pages, 45754 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optofluidics in Microstructured Optical Fibers

by Liyang Shao, Zhengyong Liu, Jie Hu, Dinusha Gunawardena and Hwa-Yaw Tam

Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040145 - 24 Mar 2018

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6382

Abstract

In this paper, we review the development and applications of optofluidics investigated based on the platform of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) that have miniature air channels along the light propagating direction. The flexibility of the customizable air channels of MOFs provides enough space [...] Read more.

In this paper, we review the development and applications of optofluidics investigated based on the platform of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) that have miniature air channels along the light propagating direction. The flexibility of the customizable air channels of MOFs provides enough space to implement light-matter interaction, as fluids and light can be guided simultaneously along a single strand of fiber. Different techniques employed to achieve the fluidic inlet/outlet as well as different applications for biochemical analysis are presented. This kind of miniature platform based on MOFs is easy to fabricate, free of lithography, and only needs a tiny volume of the sample. Compared to optofluidics on the chip, no additional waveguide is necessary to guide the light since the core is already designed in MOFs. The measurements of flow rate, refractive index of the filled fluids, and chemical reactions can be carried out based on this platform. Furthermore, it can also demonstrate some physical phenomena. Such devices show good potential and prospects for applications in bio-detection as well as material analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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10 pages, 5243 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optofluidics Refractometers

by Cheng Li, Gang Bai, Yunxiao Zhang, Min Zhang and Aoqun Jian

Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030136 - 20 Mar 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5228

Abstract

Refractometry is a classic analytical method in analytical chemistry and biosensing. By integrating advanced micro- and nano-optical systems with well-developed microfluidics technology, optofluidics are shown to be a powerful, smart and universal platform for refractive index sensing applications. This paper reviews recent work [...] Read more.

Refractometry is a classic analytical method in analytical chemistry and biosensing. By integrating advanced micro- and nano-optical systems with well-developed microfluidics technology, optofluidics are shown to be a powerful, smart and universal platform for refractive index sensing applications. This paper reviews recent work on optofluidic refractometers based on different sensing mechanisms and structures (e.g., photonic crystal/photonic crystal fibers, waveguides, whisper gallery modes and surface plasmon resonance), and traces the performance enhancement due to the synergistic integration of optics and microfluidics. A brief discussion of future trends in optofluidic refractometers, namely volume sensing and resolution enhancement, are also offered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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14 pages, 3782 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances of Optofluidic Microcavities for Microlasers and Biosensors

by Zhiqing Feng and Lan Bai

Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030122 - 09 Mar 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6275

Abstract

Optofluidic microcavities with high Q factor have made rapid progress in recent years by using various micro-structures. On one hand, they are applied to microfluidic lasers with low excitation thresholds. On the other hand, they inspire the innovation of new biosensing devices with [...] Read more.

Optofluidic microcavities with high Q factor have made rapid progress in recent years by using various micro-structures. On one hand, they are applied to microfluidic lasers with low excitation thresholds. On the other hand, they inspire the innovation of new biosensing devices with excellent performance. In this article, the recent advances in the microlaser research and the biochemical sensing field will be reviewed. The former will be categorized based on the structures of optical resonant cavities such as the Fabry–Pérot cavity and whispering gallery mode, and the latter will be classified based on the working principles into active sensors and passive sensors. Moreover, the difficulty of single-chip integration and recent endeavors will be briefly discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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16 pages, 3138 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optofluidic Tunable Lenses for In-Plane Light Manipulation

by Qingming Chen, Tenghao Li, Zhaohui Li, Jinlin Long and Xuming Zhang

Micromachines 2018, 9(3), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9030097 - 26 Feb 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5827

Abstract

Optofluidics incorporates optics and microfluidics together to construct novel devices for microsystems, providing flexible reconfigurability and high compatibility. Among many novel devices, a prominent one is the in-plane optofluidic lens. It manipulates the light in the plane of the substrate, upon which the [...] Read more.

Optofluidics incorporates optics and microfluidics together to construct novel devices for microsystems, providing flexible reconfigurability and high compatibility. Among many novel devices, a prominent one is the in-plane optofluidic lens. It manipulates the light in the plane of the substrate, upon which the liquid sample is held. Benefiting from the compatibility, the in-plane optofluidic lenses can be incorporated into a single chip without complicated manual alignment and promises high integration density. In term of the tunability, the in-plane liquid lenses can be either tuned by adjusting the fluidic interface using numerous microfluidic techniques, or by modulating the refractive index of the liquid using temperature, electric field and concentration. In this paper, the in-plane liquid lenses will be reviewed in the aspects of operation mechanisms and recent development. In addition, their applications in lab-on-a-chip systems are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Optofluidics)

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