Fluid-Acoustic Microchip for Cell Manipulation

Abstract:
This study presents a combined theoretical and experimental analysis of key design parameters influencing piezoelectric actuation in microfluidic devices for cell manipulation and trapping. The investigated platform consists of glass-based microfluidic chips with integrated cavities and channels, actuated by surface-mounted piezo elements to generate acoustic pressure waves. Unlike conventional bulk acoustic wave (BAW) systems, this configuration supports three-dimensional imaging. To systematically evaluate and optimize acoustofluidic performance, a multi-energy domain-coupled finite element model was developed and calibrated using a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). The influence of positioning, mounting conditions, impedance behaviour, mechanical displacement, and energy transfer of the piezo element was examined, alongside with variations in substrate geometry and material properties. The results provide insights into design strategies for enhancing trapping efficiency and uniformity, contributing to the development of acoustofluidic platforms for biomedical applications such as drug screening and single-cell analysis.