TITLE: U-uF-SM1-2/3 Serpentine Mixing Chips User Manual
AUTHORS: Serhat S

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block">This is the user manual for U-uF-SM1-2/3 Serpentine Mixing Chips of uFluidic.com</div></div>

[STEPS]
?. [INTRODUCTION]
This is a PDMS microchannel on microscope glass chip, UV sterilized, and packaged. Serpentine mixing chips have multiple inlets and long channels for passive mixing of liquids by diffusion. Main application areas are flow chemistry and organic synthesis.
?. [ABOUT COMPANY]
WE'RE A DESIGN AND FABRICATION CENTER FOR MICROFLUIDIC LAB-ON-A-CHIP DEVICES.www.nehirbt.com.trwww.ufluidic.combilgi@nehirbt.com.trhello@ufluidic.com00903123860423skype: live-ufluidicUzaycagi Cd. 1308 Sk. No:6 / B11Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey PC-06370
?. [NECESSARY EQUIPMENT]
Inverted or stereo microscope to view the devices, microchannels and inner sample Syringe pumps to pump samples (at least 3 for single syringe capacity or 2 for dual syringe capacity) Syringes with luer or luer-lock tips to hold samples during pumping. (at least 1mL volume)Tubing to connect the syringes to chips (silicone or any flexible material with ID: 1mm-2mm is suggested)Fittings of syringe-to-tubing and tubing-to-chip to complete liquid flow path through chip (NBT original fittings at uFluidic.com are suggested)Cell strainers and filters to filter out any dirt, contamination or agglomerations Suggested: 25um or 40um cell strainer filterSyringe pumps to pump samples (at least 3 for single syringe capacity or 2 for dual syringe capacity) Syringes with luer or luer-lock tips to hold samples during pumping. (at least 1mL volume)Tubing to connect the syringes to chips (silicone or any flexible material with ID: 1mm-2mm is suggested)Fittings of syringe-to-tubing and tubing-to-chip to complete liquid flow path through chip (NBT original fittings at uFluidic.com are suggested)Cell strainers and filters to filter out any dirt, contamination or agglomerations Suggested: 25um or 40um cell strainer filterSyringes with luer or luer-lock tips to hold samples during pumping. (at least 1mL volume)Tubing to connect the syringes to chips (silicone or any flexible material with ID: 1mm-2mm is suggested)Fittings of syringe-to-tubing and tubing-to-chip to complete liquid flow path through chip (NBT original fittings at uFluidic.com are suggested)Cell strainers and filters to filter out any dirt, contamination or agglomerations Suggested: 25um or 40um cell strainer filterTubing to connect the syringes to chips (silicone or any flexible material with ID: 1mm-2mm is suggested)Fittings of syringe-to-tubing and tubing-to-chip to complete liquid flow path through chip (NBT original fittings at uFluidic.com are suggested)Cell strainers and filters to filter out any dirt, contamination or agglomerations Suggested: 25um or 40um cell strainer filterFittings of syringe-to-tubing and tubing-to-chip to complete liquid flow path through chip (NBT original fittings at uFluidic.com are suggested)Cell strainers and filters to filter out any dirt, contamination or agglomerations Suggested: 25um or 40um cell strainer filter
?. [QUICK START GUIDE]
A. SET UP THE FLUIDIC SYSTEM- Put the chip on microscope, 20x preferred- Connect the tubings and fittings with syringe and syringe pumpB. ARRANGE the suitable liquid flow rate and PUMP the liquids- Send the sterile distilled water first to fill the micro-channels- Send, then, the sample at suitable pressure.
?. [DESCRIPTION of DEVICES]
The chip contains four devices of microchannelsEach channel has single outlet of product collectionSM1-2 device has two inlets for reactants. SM1-3 device has three inlets for reactants.Here the code of chip is given.
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Open the package andTake care of the chips.Remove the protection tape on top of chipsBe sure it is good condition and there is not any breakage
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-1: Flow is not presentSolution: It takes time to push liquid sample in syringes, tubing and press air in microchannels. You may need to wait longer to stabilised flow inside channels. Please also check the conditions below;Any leakage from fittings and or the microchannels disrupt the proper flow of liquids, please be sure there is not any leakage from syringe, fittings, inlet ports, inside microchannels.Any clogging in channels also disrupt the proper flow, please check if all the microchannels are open and free of debris.Ensure the syringe back is acting and pump is working properly.Air bubbles in any part of the microchannels or tubing also disrupt the laminar flow and pressure stabilisation required for sorting. Please make sure there is not any air bubbles in the flow.
?. [GLOSSARY]
Lab-on-a-Chip: Highly integrated microfluidic system providing laboratory functions.Microfluidics: The science of manipulating and controlling fluids, usually in the range of microliters (10^6) to picolitres (10^12), in networks of channels with dimensions from tens to hundreds of micrometres.Microfluidic Subsystem: Fluidic system may contain one or many MEMS components which are subsystems such as controlling, signalling, analysis, and/or modification elements, attached to a larger system or subsequent process.Microfluidic Devices: Within each chip, the separate microchannels of microfluidic application with minimum 1 inlet and connected outlet.Biocompatibility: Refers to a special quality of some materials allowing them to come into contact biological materials without changing the materials’ bioactivity.Droplet Microfluidics: The science of manipulating and controlling immiscible liquids to form droplets in the range of nanoliters.Inside Reservoir: A wider microchannel area relative to other channels of same microfluidic device to collect, analyse, or incubate specific droplets, cells, particles, or molecules.Microreactor: A device in which chemical reactions take place in a confinement with a typical lateral and/or vertical dimensions below 1 mm.Fittings Accessories: parts related to microfluidic chips to connect tubing to chips and syringes for flowing samples through.Single Layer Droplets: This is single cover or single capsule of droplets such as water-in-oil (w/o) or oil-in-water (o/w). For multi-layer droplets, multiple layers of phases are needed such as water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w).
?. [DESCRIPTION of DEVICES]
Table-1: The properties of SM# series serpentine mixing microfluidic chips.Specification for InfoNumber of devices per Chip4 devicesMaterialPDMS bonded on microscopy glassXY Size of Total Chip25x73 mm2 of the chip on 26x76 mm2 of
std microscopy glassZ Height of Microchannels300 micrometerZ Height of PDMS chip3.0-4.0 mmThe Width of the Channel300 micrometerThe aspect ratio of channels (W/H)1Ports on Top or Edgeon TopNumber of Ports3 ports for SM1#4 ports for SM1#Pitch btw ports and edge-to-port3 mm and 3.5 mmSize and Shape of Ports2 mm and CircleSuitable Connector's Outer Diameter2.0 - 2.5 mmmicroChannel GeometryRectangular
Specification for InfoNumber of devices per Chip4 devicesMaterialPDMS bonded on microscopy glassXY Size of Total Chip25x73 mm2 of the chip on 26x76 mm2 of
std microscopy glassZ Height of Microchannels300 micrometerZ Height of PDMS chip3.0-4.0 mmThe Width of the Channel300 micrometerThe aspect ratio of channels (W/H)1Ports on Top or Edgeon TopNumber of Ports3 ports for SM1#4 ports for SM1#Pitch btw ports and edge-to-port3 mm and 3.5 mmSize and Shape of Ports2 mm and CircleSuitable Connector's Outer Diameter2.0 - 2.5 mmmicroChannel GeometryRectangular
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Prepare fittings, tubing, and chemicals2 or 3 syringe and syringe-to-tubing fitting per deviceEnough amount of tubing with ID:1mm-2 mm3 or 4 tubing-to-chip fitting for 2-3 for inlets and 1 for outletsOpen reservoir fitting can be used for collection at outletPlug fitting is not suggested
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Fill syringe with suitable liquidsFill one of the syringe with sterile distilled waterFill one of the syringes with your sample per deviceDo not leave any bubble inside syringe and tubing after filling
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Connect syringes with tubing and fittingsFill the liquid inside the connected liquid pathwayDo not leave any bubble inside liquid pathway
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Connect inlets with sample liquid tubingConnect sample tubings to chip by the inlet portsBeware of air bubbles
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
OutletsOutlets can stay free for initial adjustmentsBeware of air bubbles
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Pumping velocityIt is suggested to use 1-3 mL/min flow rate to obtain successful results.Higher flow rates may be needed for specific applicationsVery high flow rates may cause high pressure to breakage the bond between PDMS and glass.
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
NO Closure on the outletsDo not close or plug any outlets which will disrupt the mixing and chemical reaction of the samplesUse any suitable tubing to chip fitting for equal pressure affect on chip
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Which outlet?Observe the product liquid sample through outlets and find the outlets to be used for collectionConnect fittings with tubing to the outlets for product liquid collection
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
NO Closure on the inlets
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Stable flowWait for a few minutes to obtain stable flow and stable diffusion mixing or experimental product.Fine tune the flow rates for desired mixing efficiency regarding product properties.
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
How to set the complete systemThe chips can be observed under inverted or stereo microscopeThe syringes and syringe pumps must be located higher vertically than the chips
?. [EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL]
Collecting product in a tubeConnect a tubing and a fitting of tubing-to-chip on the correct outlet ports.Place the other end of the tubing inside a suitable tube of 0.5 mL – 50 mL.
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-2: Flow is not stable under syringe pump pressureSolution:In order to obtain stable, uniform, and laminar flow, whole the system must also be stable. Please check the conditions below;Tubing must stay stable and without vibration. The shorter the tubing the better results.The vertical level of syringe pumps must be at equal level or higher with the chip on microscope or table.The syringe pump or any other pumping actuator must be as low pulsation as possible. Higher the pulsation of pump, lower the uniformity of droplets.
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-3: Particles or Cells are lostSolution:This is an easy to solve common problem microfluidic experimentation. Please check the conditions below:Wetting the chips totally with sterile distilled water or PBS is necessary before starting the application. This makes the surface ready for your sample so no one sticks on the channel walls.Mix the tubing and syringes time to time to solve the precipitation of particles or cell inside syringes or tubing.
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-4: Particles or Cells are not observableSolutionUnder optimum conditions flow rate is equal between pump and microchannels but velocity of the flow is much higher inside channels due to contraction effect. Please check the conditions below;Observe the wider channels just before outlet ports to see the particle or cell separation. The wider the channel, slower the particles or cells.Use fluorescent beads with similar diameter with your target particles or cells so tracking the fluorescence is easier.Label the target particles or cells with fluorescent dyes for initial optimisation so tracking the fluorescence is easier.Use a high speed high fps camera with your microscope to be able to observe the sample ingredients.
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-5: Clogging of channels with particles or dirtSolution:The width of microchannels are given in the user manual. Please filter all the liquid samples previous to application by proper filters according to width of microchannels. If clogging occurs, under some conditions, inverted flow by pressure through outlets may clean the clogging.
?. [TROUBLESHOOTING]
Problem-6: For any other problems regarding theSM#: Serpentine Mixing Microfluidics Chips or chemicalcompatibilitiesSolutionPlease let us know by email or call via the contact details given above.For any problem the microchannels can be cleaned by distilled sterile water or ethanol at some level. For other PDMS compatible or non-compatible materials, please check our blog pages.The amount of protein in water-based sample, also, strongly influences the droplets. For example, Serum is strongly inhibitory and must be washed out completely.