title: Magnetoactive sponges for dynamic control of microfluidic flow patterns in microphysiological systems.
abstract: We developed a microfluidic flow-control system capable of dynamically generating various flow patterns on demand. The flow-control system is based on novel magnetoactive sponges embedded in microfluidic flow channels. Applying a non-uniform magnetic field compresses the magnetoactive sponge, significantly reducing porosity and hydraulic conductivity. Tuning the applied magnetic field can dynamically vary the flow rate in the microfluidic channel. Pulsatile and physiological flow patterns with frequency between 1 and 3 Hz, flow rates between 0.5 and 10 μL min(-1) and duration over 3 weeks have been achieved. Smooth muscle cells in engineered blood vessels perfused for 7 days aligned perpendicular to the flow direction under pulsatile but not steady flow, similar to the in vivo orientation. Owing to its various advantages over traditional flow-control methods, the new system potentially has important applications in microfluidic-based microphysiological systems to simulate the physiological nature of blood flow.
authors: Soft Active Materials Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: Sungmin
authors: S
authors: Hong
authors: Biomedical Engineering Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.|Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea.
authors: Youngmee
authors: Y
authors: Jung
authors: Biomedical Engineering Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: Ringo
authors: R
authors: Yen
authors: Biomedical Engineering Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: Hon Fai
authors: HF
authors: Chan
authors: Biomedical Engineering Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: Kam W
authors: KW
authors: Leong
authors: Biomedical Engineering Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: George A
authors: GA
authors: Truskey
authors: Soft Active Materials Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA.
authors: Xuanhe
authors: X
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D016062:Porosity; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide