3D Optofluidic Control Using Reconfigurable Thermal Barriers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel optofluidic system that uses structured light and photothermal effects to create reconfigurable 3D thermal barriers, enabling dynamic control over fluids and particles in microfluidic applications.

Contribution

It presents a new method for creating adaptable, reconfigurable fluidic boundaries using structured light and photothermal conversion, surpassing the rigidity of traditional microfluidic barriers.

Findings

Enables real-time reconfiguration of fluidic boundaries.

Allows precise manipulation of particles and fluids in 3D.

Supports complex tasks like particle sorting and steering.

Abstract

Microfluidics has revolutionized control over small volumes through the use of physical barriers. However, the rigidity of these barriers limits flexibility in applications. We present an optofluidic toolbox that leverages structured light and photothermal conversion to create dynamic, reconfigurable fluidic boundaries. This system enables precise manipulation of fluids and particles by generating 3D thermal landscapes with high spatial control. Our approach replicates the functions of traditional barriers while additionally allowing real-time reconfiguration for complex tasks, such as individual particle steering and size-based sorting in heterogeneous mixtures. These results highlight the platform's potential for adaptive and multifunctional microfluidic systems in applications such as chemical synthesis, lab-on-chip devices, and microbiology, seamlessly integrating with existing setups due to its flexibility and minimal operation requirements.