Title
The Silent Force: Acoustic Trapping in Microfluidics: Exploring the Design and Fabrication of an Acoustofluidic Device for Microbead Trapping and Manipulation
Author
Wassenaar, Maurits (TU Delft Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering)
Contributor
Caneva, S. (mentor) 
Verbiest, G.J. (mentor)
Açıkgöz, H.N. (graduation committee)
Fanzio, P. (graduation committee)
Degree granting institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
Mechanical Engineering | Micro and Nano Engineering (MNE)
Date
2023-12-08
Abstract
Mechanical forces are integral to the functionality and behavior of biological systems, from the cellular to the molecular level. Acoustic force spectroscopy (AFS), an emerging field, seeks to explore these intricate dynamics. Traditional methods in AFS, particularly those using bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices, still lack sample visibility and have a low throughput. These limitations hinder the amount and type of data that can be gathered in the study of cellular and molecular mechanics. This research project addresses the challenge of enhancing visibility and throughput in AFS by developing a novel BAW device. Here we show the fabrication and implementation of a glass transversal resonator by femtosecond laser ablation and a simple glass-glass bonding technique using polyethylene film and cyanoacrylate glue, which enables two-dimensional particle trapping. Compared to existing BAW setups in AFS, our approach offers improved sample visibility and is capable of positioning particles at arbitrary locations between half- and full-wave mode equilibria by rapid mode-switching. It shows that the position can be predicted using a straightforward method to determine the stiffness of each mode. This advancement of acoustic force spectroscopy could pave the way for new approaches in biomedical research. For example, the ability to alter the force field in a predictable manner allows to form both force- and distance-clamps. More functional BAW devices could thereby not only enhance our understanding of cellular processes but also find broader application in fields like tissue engineering and medical diagnostics.
Subject
acoustics
microfluidics
BAW
tweezer
trap
microbead
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d72f8e42-1c6a-402f-8776-d1008687f443
Embargo date
2025-12-08
Part of collection
Student theses
Document type
master thesis
Rights
© 2023 Maurits Wassenaar