Chemical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced the development of fabricated nanoparticles that have the ability to self-steer along a programmed trajectory. The particles’ unique design allows for self-alignment with microchannel centers. Through this alignment, researchers were able to control the flow of particles through microfluidic devices without the need for any external force.
In the future, this class of particle could allow for novel lab-on-a-chip designs. In part, researchers speculate that steerable nanoparticles could be used to create highly-portable diagnostic kits for diseases like cancer. Most lab-on-chip designs comprise a series of microfluidic channels that are engraved on miniaturized chips. However, current limitations of this technology require manufacturers to include a significant amount of external instrumentation, limiting portability.
A significant part of the external instrumentation require for lab-on-a-chip designs is used to ensure that particles behave in an orderly manner. This is done through the application of an electronic or magnetic field. Alternatively, some LOC designs push two steams of liquid along the outer part of a microfluidic channel, forcing particles to remain in the center of the channel.
With the new approach by researchers at MIT, there’s no need for any external force. Instead, particles utilize hydrodynamic principles to ensure they remain at the center of a channel.
