Sheath Liquid Vibration for Stable Microparticle Droplet Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microparticle sorting devices face instability in droplet formation due to complex resonance frequencies in microchips, leading to unstable electric charge application and sorting accuracy issues.
Innovation Solution
A microparticle sorting device with a microchip and a sheath liquid introduction system, where the sheath liquid is vibrated by a vibration element at a frequency different from the microchip's resonance frequency, using a converging portion with specific shapes and materials to stabilize droplet formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vibration is applied to the orifice of the microchip to form droplets, then droplet formation is achieved, but the break-off point becomes unstable due to complex vibration frequencies and resonance
Solution Approach 1:
A sheath liquid introduction portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the vibration source and the microchip flow path. The sheath liquid flows through this portion and transmits the vibration from the vibration element to the fluid in the microchip, thereby decoupling the direct vibration application from the microchip orifice and stabilizing droplet formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical vibration application to the microchip with a fluid-mediated vibration transmission system. Instead of directly vibrating the microchip orifice, vibration is applied to the sheath liquid which then transmits it to the fluid, substituting a mechanical system with a fluid dynamics-based system.
2Power
If the driving frequency matches the resonance frequency of the flow path, then vibration efficiency is improved, but the break-off point becomes unstable due to high-order eigenvalues and mode shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath liquid acts as an intermediary that transmits vibration energy to the fluid in the microchip without requiring direct resonance coupling. This allows efficient vibration transmission while avoiding the instability caused by matching high-order eigenvalues and mode shapes of the flow path.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Stabilizes droplet formation and improves sorting accuracy by efficiently concentrating vibration energy, reducing resonance effects, and minimizing bubble formation.
Implementation Method 1
the sheath liquid flowing through the sheath liquid introduction portion is vibrated
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a technique capable of forming stable droplets.There is provided a microparticle sorting device including a microchip including a main flow path through which a liquid containing a microparticle flows, a sheath liquid flow path that communicates with the main flow path and through which a sheath liquid flows, and a sheath liquid introduction portion that introduces the sheath liquid, in which the sheath liquid flowing through the sheath liquid introduction portion is vibrated. Furthermore, there is also provided a microparticle sorting method including, in a microchip including at least a main flow path through which a liquid containing a microparticle flows, a sheath liquid flow path that communicates with the main flow path and through which a sheath liquid flows, and a sheath liquid introduction portion that introduces the sheath liquid, vibrating the sheath liquid flowing through the sheath liquid introduction portion.