title: Microfluidic Pneumatic Cages: A Novel Approach for In-chip Crystal Trapping, Manipulation and Controlled Chemical Treatment.
abstract: The precise localization and controlled chemical treatment of structures on a surface are significant challenges for common laboratory technologies. Herein, we introduce a microfluidic-based technology, employing a double-layer microfluidic device, which can trap and localize in situ and ex situ synthesized structures on microfluidic channel surfaces. Crucially, we show how such a device can be used to conduct controlled chemical reactions onto on-chip trapped structures and we demonstrate how the synthetic pathway of a crystalline molecular material and its positioning inside a microfluidic channel can be precisely modified with this technology. This approach provides new opportunities for the controlled assembly of structures on surface and for their subsequent treatment.
authors: Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology; Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Bioscience, ETH Zurich.
authors: Afshin
authors: A
authors: Abrishamkar
authors: ICN2-Institut Catala de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia.
authors: Markos
authors: M
authors: Paradinas
authors: WITec GmbH.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Bailo
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona.
authors: Romen
authors: R
authors: Rodriguez-Trujillo
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona.
authors: Raphael
authors: R
authors: Pfattner
authors: Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.
authors: René M
authors: RM
authors: Rossi
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Ocal
authors: Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Bioscience, ETH Zurich.
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: deMello
authors: School of Chemistry, The University of Nottingham.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Amabilino
authors: Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology; Josep.Puigmarti@empa.ch.
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Puigmartí-Luis
mesh_terms: D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation*