A sound idea

摘要

Ultrasonic standing wave technology enables a new mode of non-invasive and non-contact cell manipulation and separation integrated in microfluidic systems. With the rapid progress in the field of microtechnology and microfluidics the ability to design high performance microscale acoustic resonators opens new possibilities to employ acoustic standing wave technology to the development of advanced particle and cell separating microfluidic systems. Spatial control and manipulation of biological particulate matter in fluids by means of ultrasonic standing waves is thus an area that currently is gaining increased attention. Ultrasonic standing wave manipulation offers a non-contact mode of particle handling, which makes it an attractive tool in cell-based microsystems. Since a minimum of mechanical stress is induced on the cells by the applied acoustic forces, ultrasonic standing wave manipulation allows long-term acoustic field exposure without displaying any cell damage.