Developing mountain-like biochips to enrich respiratory microdroplets

Respiratory microdroplets, commonly spread in crowded settings like schools or cafes, can transmit infections. Microfluidic devices, which process small fluid volumes, are increasingly used for aerosol droplets sampling due to their compact size, compatibility with automated virus analysis, and aiding in monitoring and preventing virus spread. Traditional microfluidic devices quickly become saturated, as settled dehydrated aerosols can be readily dislodged by incoming droplets.

This saturation impedes both the device's sampling capacity and its detection sensitivity, critical for identifying pathogens like the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To address this, the proposed research aims to utilize mountain-like nanowire bundles for enhanced droplet collection. Drawing from our prior investigations into fluid transport within confined spaces with extreme wettability, the designed mountain-like nanowire structures intuitively direct the transport of captured microdroplets.

This directional guidance allows for automatic surface refreshment, drastically minimizing droplet collision or re-suspension events. The end goal is a device that boasts an augmented sampling capacity and heightened sensitivity in pathogen detection.

The approach to realizing this goal is multifaceted: (1) The detailed exploration of flexible PDMS nanowires assembly, driven by template-guided liquid bridge forces. (2) Mechanism research into the impact of asymmetrically arranged nanowires in facilitating directional microdroplet receding during evaporation. (3) Integration of above bundles within microfluidic platforms focused on boosting airborne virus collection efficiency. This project holds the promise of making substantial strides in the realm of airborne virus collection and detection.

Such advancements are not only pivotal for managing the current pandemic but are instrumental for preemptive measures against future respiratory disease outbreaks.