These abstracts should not be cited in bibliographies.

Material contained herein should be treated as

personal communication and should be cited as such only with the consent of the author.

Sponsors
ANFF-Q, ANFF-SA and Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC).

Abstracts of papers presented at the

7TH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND NANO-MICROFLUIDICS

SYMPOSIUM (ANZNMF 2016)
Griffith University EcoCentre, Nathan Campus, 21-23 March 2016

SYMPOSIUM CO-CHAIRS
Dr Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky, Griffith University
Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen, Griffith University

LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Mr Nazmul Islam, Ms Sharda Yadav, Dr Say Hwa Tan,
Dr Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky and
Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS
Professor Michael Breadmore, University of Tasmania
Professor Leslie Yeo, RMIT University
Dr Craig Priest, University of South Australia
Professor Amanda V. Ellis, Flinders University
Professor Stephen J. Haswell, Deakin University
Dr Geoff R. Willmott, The University of Auckland

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

NANO-MICROFLUIDICS SYMPOSIUM
(ANZNMF)
The ANZNMF meeting is the annual gathering of the ANZ
Microfluidics community, which is an informal network of
researchers working in the field in Australia and New Zealand with
the aim of facilitating exchange of ideas and collaborative
interactions. The network was inaugurated at the first ANZNMF
meeting in Melbourne at Monash University in 2009. Successive
meetings were hosted by University of New South Wales (UNSW)
in Sydney (2011), the MacDiarmid Institute in Wellington (2012),
University of South Australia and Flinders University in Adelaide

(2013), University of Tasmania in Hobart (2014) and RMIT

University, Deakin University and the Melbourne Centre for
Nanofabrication in Melbourne (2015).

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Professor Carolyn Ren

Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering; Canada Research Chair in Droplet
Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) Technology

Dr. Ren received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto in
2004 and Masters and Bachelors degrees in Thermal Engineering from Harbin Institute
of Technology in 1995 and 1992, separately. She worked in Dalian University of
Technology for four years prior to her Ph.D. study in Canada. She joined the University of
Waterloo (UW) in May 2004 as an Assistant Professor and promoted to Associate and Full Professor in 2010
and 2015, respectively. She has received many research awards including CSME fellow in 2012, Research
Excellence Award from UW in 2010, Canada Research Chair in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology in 2009 and
2014, and Early Research Award from the Ministry of Research and Innovation of Ontario in 2007.

Professor Leslie Yeo

Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering
RMIT University, Melbourne
Leslie Yeo is currently an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and Professor
of Chemical Engineering at RMIT University, Australia. He received his PhD from
Imperial College London in 2002, for which he was awarded the Dudley Newitt prize
for a computational/theoretical thesis of outstanding merit. Prior to joining RMIT
University, he was a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular
Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, USA, after which he held a faculty position at Monash University.
Dr Yeo was the recipient of the 2007 Young Tall Poppy Science Award from the Australian Institute for Policy
& Science in recognition of the achievements of outstanding young researchers in the sciences including
physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology, and both the Dean and Vice-Chancellors
awards for excellence in early career research at Monash University. Dr Yeo is co-author of the book
Electrokinetically Driven Microfluidics & Nanofluidics (Cambridge University Press), and the author of over 150
research publications and 20 patent applications. He is also the Editor of the American Institute of Physics
journal Biomicrofluidics, editorial board member of Interfacial Phenomena & Heat Transfer and Scientific
Reports, and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Physiology at Monash University.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Professor Justin J. Cooper-White

University of Queensland (UQ) and CSIRO, Australia
Professor, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and School of
Chemical Engineering, UQ,
CSIRO OCE Science Leader,
Director, Australian National Fabrication Facility Queensland Node.
Professor Justin Cooper-White is a globally acknowledged pioneer in regenerative
medicine research. He leads two world-class research laboratories in Australia, the Tissue Engineering and
Microfluidics (TEaM) laboratory within The University of Queenslands Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN), and the Biomaterials Discovery laboratory within the Manufacturing Flagship at
CSIRO in Melbourne. His team of over 20 researchers focus on developing novel biomaterials, nanoparticles,
scaffolds and engineered microfluidic devices and systems that enable endogenous tissue repair at sites of
damage and the safe expansion, differentiation and delivery of stem cells for regenerative medicine
applications. He currently holds the positions of Group Leader within the Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN, UQ), Professor of Bioengineering within the School of Chemical Engineering
(UQ), CSIRO Office of the Chief Executive Science Leader (Manufacturing Flagship, Melbourne), Founding
Director of the Queensland Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-Q), and Professor and
Group Leader (Adjunct) within the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI, Monash University). Prof.
Cooper-White has over 200 refereed publications cited >5000 times. He has also produced 6 Worldwide
patents that have reached National Phase Entry in USA, Europe and Australia. He is Past President of
Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (ASBTE) (2006-2008), and the Australasian
Society of Rheology (2002-2004), and currently an Australian representative on the Int. Union of Societies for
Biomaterials Science and Engineering (2012-current) and President of the Asian Biomaterials Federation and
Council (2015-current).

Professor V. Amanda Ellis

ARC Future Fellowship
School of Chemical & Physical Sciences
Flinders University

Prof. Ellis graduated from her PhD in 2003 at the University of Technology, Sydney.
She undertook two US postdocs, the first at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and
the second at New Mexico State University. She was then awarded a prestigious (1 of 16) New Zealand
Foundation of Research Science and Technology (NZFRST) fellowship at Industrial Research Ltd, NZ (now
Callaghan Innovations) where she worked on microfluidics, in particular switchable surfaces and carbon
nanotubes electrodes in microchannels. She currently holds an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship
at Flinders University and has over 125 publications with 2300 citations. Her work primarily involves the
modification of surfaces for applications in microfluidics, desalination, forensic science and biosensing.

Professor Stephen Haswell

Chair in Sensors and Microfluidics
Centre Regional & Rural Future
Deakin University

Stephen Haswell has spent the last thirty years of his career in the UK higher education
sector but recently moved from being Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University
of Hull, a post he has held for the past 23 years, to a new position in the Centre for
Regional and Rural Futures at Deakin University as Professor in Sensors and
Microfluidics. Whilst Steves past research interests have been in the fields of elemental speciation,
chemometrics and process analysis his research over the past 20 years have been in the areas of microreactors and Lab-on-a-chip technology. At Deakin Steve is establishing a world leading multidisciplinary
translational research centre for Lab-on-a-chip technology, which will be capable of meeting the demanding
needs of industry and society for adaptive relevant technology in the areas of health, environment and
agriculture.

Professor Spas D Kolev

Professor of Chemistry, School of Chemistry
Program Leader, Novel Chemistry Research, Centre for Aquatic Pollution
Identification and Management (CAPIM), Melbourne University

Spas Kolev is Professor of Chemistry of The University of Melbourne (Australia). Most

of his research is focused in the areas of flow analysis techniques, including paperbased microfluidics; chemical sensors, development of polymer inclusion membranes for separation or
synthesis of metallic nanoparticles; and phytoremediation and phytomining. He has published close to 170
refereed articles, 3 book chapters and has co-edited a book entitled Advances in Flow Injection Analysis and
Related Techniques (Elsevier, 2008). He has given over 35 invited, keynote or plenary lectures at international
conferences.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to his fields of research, Spas Kolev has been awarded the
Ronald Belcher Memorial Award (Talanta, 1988), the Lloyd Smythe Medal of the Analytical Division of the
Royal Australian Chemical Instutute (2009), the Medal of the Japanese Association for Flow Injection Analysis
(2010), and the Grimwade Prize in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Melbourne (2012).
He is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Membranes (MDPI) and member of the Editorial Boards of
Analytica Chimica Acta (Elsevier), Talanta (Elsevier), Sensors (MDPI), Challenges (MDPI), Environmental
Modeling and Assessment (Springer), and the International Journal of Analytical Chemistry (Hindawi).
Spas Kolev is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Scientia Professor J. Justin Gooding

Professor and Founding Co-director of The Australian Centre for NanoMedicine
School of Chemistry
University of New South Wales

Scientia Professor Justin Gooding graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) from Melbourne
University before spending two years working for ICI Research on explosives. He
then returned to University obtaining a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford and
received post-doctoral training at the Institute of Biotechnology in Cambridge
University. He returned to Australia in 1997 as a Vice-Chancellors Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the
University of New South Wales (UNSW. He was promoted to full professor in 2006. He was one of the
recipients of a 2004 NSW Young Tall Poppy award, a 2005 Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, the 2007
RACI Lloyd Smythe Medal for Analytical Chemistry, the 2009 Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, the RACI
2011 H.G. Smith Medal for contributions to chemistry, the 2012 RACI R.H. Stokes Medal for electrochemical
research, the 2012 Royal Society of Chemistry Australasian Lecturer and the 2013 NSW Science and
Engineering Award for Emerging Research. Between 2010 -2014 he was an ARC Professorial Fellow and is
currently an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow and the co-director of the Australian Centre for NanoMedicine.
He is also editor-in-chief of the joural ACS Sensors. He leads a research team of 42 people interested in
surface modification and nanotechnology for biosensors, biomaterials, electron transfer and medical
applications.

Dr Yonggang Zhu
Senior Principal Research Scientist and a Research Team Leader, CSIRO
Dr Yonggang Zhu graduated from Tsinghua University, Beijing in 1995 and obtained
his PhD from The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia in 1995. After his Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Johns Hopkins University, he joined CSIRO as a
research scientist in 1998. He is currently a Senior Principal Research Scientist and
a Research Team Leader for the Microfluidics and Fluid Dynamics Team in CSIRO.
He is also an Adjunct Professorial Fellows at Swinburne University of Technology
and Victoria University, a Fellow of Institute of Engineers Australia, a member of the
editorial board for Micro and Nanosystems and served as a member of several scientific committees. His
current research interests include microscale thermal & fluid flows, biomicrofluidics and lab on a chip devices.
He is currently leading projects in developing technologies in sensing and biomedical devices, novel materials
development, biotechnology and energy with a range of partners including government agencies, industry and
research institutions. He is also a partner investigator in the recently established ARC Centre for Excellence
in Nanoscale Biophotonics. He is the winner of 2012 Australian Museum Eureka Science Award for
Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security.

Dr Geoff R. Willmott
Department of Physics
The University of Auckland

Geoff Willmott is a Senior Lecturer in the Departments of Physics and Chemistry at

the University of Auckland. He grew up in Auckland, obtained a PhD from the
University of Cambridge, then returned to New Zealand and worked in the Nano and
Micro Fluidics group at Industrial Research Limited (now Callaghan Innovation) in
Lower Hutt from 2006-2013. His main areas of research interest are nanofluidics
(especially tunable resistive pulse sensing) and dynamic microfluidics (especially drop impacts). He is a PI
with the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, and a Rutherford Discovery Fellow.
Geoff spends his winter weekends refereeing rugby.

A/Prof Conor Hogan

College of Science, Health and Engineering
LaTrobe University

Dr Conor Hogan completed his PhD in Chemistry at Dublin City University in Ireland in
2000 and following several years of postdoctoral research in Ireland (under Prof.
Robert Forster) and Australia (under Prof. Alan Bond) was appointed as a lecturer in
the Department of Chemistry at La Trobe in 2003. Since 2009 he has been a senior lecturer in analytical
chemistry at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science where he leads one of the institutes five research
themes (Molecular Sensing). Research in his group is multidisciplinary. His fundamental research focuses on
focuses on the interface between electrochemistry and photochemistry and is driven by applications in the field
of chemical sensors and biosensors. He is known internationally for his contributions to the field of
Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and the development of mobile phone based sensing technologies. He is a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. He is active in particular
within the electrochemical and analytical divisions of the RACI. He was chair of the Electrochemical Division
of the RACI from 2011 to 2013 and he is currently Australia & New Zealand regional representative for the
International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

Dr Craig Priest
Foundation Fellow (Senior Research Fellow)
Future Industries Institute
University of South Australia

I completed my PhD in 2005 at the University of South Australia (UniSA) on the physical
chemistry and interfacial science of wetting structured surfaces. I then completed a 2year postdoc at the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, before
returning to the Ian Wark Research Institute, UniSA, as a Research Associate. I am now a Foundation Fellow
(Senior Research Fellow) at the newly-formed Future Industries Institute, UniSA. My research has led to 65
publications in the fields of interfacial chemistry, thin films, wettability, micro- and nano-fluidics, nanomaterials,
mineral extraction, analytical chemistry, and ionic liquid behavior. I was awarded the SA Early Career
Researcher of the Year Award in 2011 and joined the SA State Governments Premiers Science and Industry
Council for a three-year term (2012-2014).

Professor Weihua Li
Professor, School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering
Director, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Research Strength
Weihua Li, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Research
Strength at the University of Wollongong. He obtained his B.Eng (1992) and M.Eng
(1995) from the University of Science and Technology of China, and PhD from
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2001). Since 2003, he has been
working as academic staff at the School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of
Wollongong, Australia. His research focuses on smart materials and their applications, microfluidics, rheology,
and intelligent mechatronics. He is serving as editor or editorial board member for more than 10 international
journals, including Scientific Reports, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, Smart Materials and
Structures, RSV Advances, etc. He has published more than 260 journal and conference papers. He is a
recipient of IOP Fellowship (2015), JSPS Invitation Fellowship (2014), Australian Endeavour Fellowship
(2011), and Best Paper Awards.

Dr Rosanne Guijt
Senior Lecturer
University of Tasmania

Dr Rosanne Guijt completed her undergraduate degree in Biopharmaceutical Sciences

at Leiden University, the Netherlands, and her PhD degree from Delft University of
Technology where she worked between the Kluyver Institute for Biotechnology and the
Institute de Microtechnique (IMT) at the Universit de Neuchtel in Switzerland. She was
awarded a fellowship from the Dutch Science and Technology Foundation STW to initiate
Lab on a Chip research at the University of Tasmania (TAS@UTAS). In Australia, she received a 4 year
postdoctoral fellowship from the Australian Research Council to work in the Australian Centre for Research on
Separation Science (ACROSS), and her research focus broadened to also include the development of flowthrough microreactors. Her research strength is in the development of portable and field deployable analytical
instrumentation, with applications in counterterrorism and environmental and bioprocess monitoring. She has
also explored the use of 3D printing in microfluidics. Following her appointment in the School of Medicine
focusing on the development of new technologies for point of care diagnostics and therapeutic drug monitoring.
In 2014, she received an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Experienced Researchers to conduct her
research at the Korean Institute for Science and Technology Europe in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Dr David W. Inglis
Senior Lecturer
Macquarie University

Dr Inglis received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from The University of

Alberta in 2001 and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 2007.
He was an Australian Postdoctoral Fellow in the Physics Department of Macquarie
University from 2008 to 2011 and a research associate there until 2013. He is now a
Senior Lecturer in the Engineering Department at Macquarie University where he is the program coordinator
for Mechatronic Engineering. Dr Inglis research interests lie in microfabrication for medicine and biology. He
is well known in the microfluidics community for work on deterministic lateral displacement separations, but
has published many high impact papers on other topics in micro and nanofluidics including separation of
microparticles and biomolecules.

DAY 1, 21 March 2016, MONDAY

9.00 am

Dr Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky/ Prof Nam-Trung Nguyen, Griffith University

Welcome

Chair: Prof Nam-Trung Nguyen, Griffith University

9.10 am

OPENING PLENARY
Prof Carolyn Ren, University of Waterloo
Droplet Microfluidics Enabling Technology for High Throughput Screening

9.50 am

Prof Justin J. Cooper-White, University of Queensland

Next Generation Microdevices for Applications in Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine

10.20 am

Prof Colin. L. Raston, Flinders University

Thin Film Microfluidics

10.40 am

MORNING TEA

Chair: Prof Justin J. Cooper-White, University of Queensland

11.00 am

Prof Amanda V. Ellis, Flinders University

Surface Modifications in Microfluidic Devices

11.30 am

Prof Yanyi Huang, Peking University

Microfluidics Single Cell Sequencing

11.50 am

Dr Simon R. Corrie, University of Queensland/Monash University

Microprojection Arrays for Selective Capture of Dengue Proteins from the Skin

12.10 pm

Dr Han Wei Hou, Nanyang Technological University

An Integrated Point-of-Care Microdevice for Neutrophil Sorting and Chemotaxis Assay

12.25 pm

Feng Li, University of Tasmania

Nanoporous Membranes for Microfluidic Sample-in/Answer-Out Assay of Proteins in Urine

12.40 pm

LUNCH

Chair: Prof Michael Breadmore, University of Tasmania

1.40 pm

Prof Stephen J. Haswell, Deakin University

What Can Micro Reactors Offer Chemical Synthesis and Bio Processing

2.10 am

Dr Chun-Xia Zhao, University of Queensland

Microfluidic Fabrication of Stable Double Emulsions for Controlled Release

2.30 am

Muhsincan Sesen, Monash University

Microfluidic Droplet Sensing, Splitting and Merging Using Capacitive Sensors and Surface Acoustic
Waves

2.45 pm

Dr Huaying Chen, CSIRO Clayton

Multiplexed Biomarker Detection Using a Microfluidic Platform Integrating Single Bead Trapping and
Acoustic Mixing

3.00 pm

Dr Chau T. Lien, ANFF-Queensland Node (SPONSOR TALK # 1)

Fabrication and Characterisation Capabilities at ANFF-Q

3.20 pm

AFTERNOON TEA

Chair: Prof Amanda V. Ellis, Flinders University

3.40 pm

Prof Spas D. Kolev, University of Melbourne

Environmental Monitoring of Nutrients Using Paper-Based Microfluidic Sensors

4.10 pm

Dr Ciprian Iliescu, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore

Microfluidic-Assisted Constrain Spheroids for Long Term Cell Culture

4.30 pm

Dr Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Advanced Microfluidic Systems for Cancer Research

4.50 pm

Ziqiu (Tony) Tong, University of South Australia

Microfluidic Based Platform for High Throughput Screening of Nanoparticle Toxicity

5.05 pm

CLOSE DAY 1

1. Opening Plenary
DROPLET MICROFLUIDICS ENABLING TECHNOLOGY FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING
Carolyn Ren
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo
200 University Ave West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L3G1
Email: c3ren@uwaterloo.ca
Droplet-based two-phase microfluidics enables high throughput screening analysis by utilizing monodispersed
nanoliter-sized droplets as mobilized test tubes. Other advantages of droplet microfluidics over traditional high
throughput technology include continuous flow offering continuous processing, minimized cross contamination
benefiting from well encapsulated droplets, and rapid mixing due to three-dimensional flow occurring in
droplets. Both gas-liquid and two immiscible liquids (water and oil) systems have been employed to make
liquid droplets in microfluidic platforms. This talk only focuses on the system employing two immiscible liquids
to generate droplets.
The first half of the talk will discuss fundamentals and physical modelling of droplet generation in T-junctions13 and flow focusing geometries 4-5 and droplet trafficking and sorting through a channel network 6. The second
half will focus on electrical sensing and manipulation of droplets. In particular, capacitance sensing 7 and
microwave sensing8-9 of droplets will be discussed and then followed with microwave heating and mixing of
droplets10.
References
1. Glawdel, T.; Elbuken, C.; Ren, C.L. Phys Rev E, 2012, 85, 016322 (9 pp).
2. Glawdel, T.; Elbuken, C.; Ren, C.L. Phys Rev E, 2012, 85, 016323 (12 pp).
3. Glawdel, T.; Ren, C.L. Phys Rev E, 2012, 86, 026308 (12 pages).
4. Chen, X.; Glawdel, T.; Cui, N.; Ren, C.L. Microfluidics Nanofluidics, 2015, 18, 1341-1353.
5. Chen, X.; Ren, C.L., Phys Fluids, 2015, in rebuttal.
6. Glawdel, T.; Elbuken, C.; Ren, C.L. Lab Chip, 2011,11, 3774-3784
7. Elbuken, C.; Glawdel, T.; Chan, D.; Ren, C.L. Sens Actuator A: Phys, 2011, 171, 55-62.
8. Boybay, M.S.; Jiao, A.; Glawdel, T.; Ren, C. L. Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 3840-3846.
9. Yesiloz, G.; Boybay, M.S.; Ren, C.L. Lab Chip, 2015, 21, 4008-4019.
10. Yesiloz, G.; Boybay, M.S.; Ren, C.L. Anal Chem, Submitted, 2016.

2. Keynote
NEXT GENERATION MICRODEVICES FOR APPLICATIONS IN DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY AND
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Justin J. Cooper-Whitea,b,c*
aAustralian

Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD
4072, AUSTRALIA.
bSchool of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, AUSTRALIA.
cBiomedical Manufacturing, Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO, Clayton, Victoria 3169, AUSTRALIA.
* j.cooperwhite@uq.edu.au ; justin.cooper-white@csiro.au

The successful deployment of human stem cells (pluripotent (hPSCs) or mesenchymal (hMSCs)) in
regenerative medicine applications depends on effective control of both their undifferentiated expansion and
differentiation into desired lineages. We have developed scalable, valveless, continuous-flow microdevice
platforms to probe the impacts of a range of microenvironmental parameters on stem cell behaviours so as to
effect greater control over stem cell fate. For example, among these device platforms, our microbioreactor
arrays (MBAs) have been designed to both provide a combinatorial set of defined factor compositions, and
allow controlled accumulation of paracrine factors through the creation of perfused cellular microenvironments
in parallel. Through screens of pluripotency maintenance and differentiation of hPSCs into primitive streak,
cardiac and kidney cells, we have demonstrated the unique ability of this platform to separate, visualise,
identify and modulate paracrine effects that are not otherwise readily accessible with standard culture formats.
Culture conditions optimized with the arrays are readily translated to conventional static culture protocols. Most
recently we have assessed the impacts and interplay of developmental factors on proliferation of hPSC-derived
cardiomyocytes, exemplifying the potential utility of the device for patient-specific early drug stratification.
These multiplexed microfluidic platforms can decipher factor interplay and signalling hierarchies that control
stem cell fate, and are applicable as microenvironmental screening platforms for developmental biology,
bioprocess optimisation, media formulation design, quality control for cellular therapies and cell-based drug
screening.

3. Invited
THIN FILM MICROFLUIDICS
Colin. L. Raston*1
Centre for NanoScale Science and Technology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders
University, Bedford Park SA 5042, Australia
* Corresponding Author: colin.raston@flinders.edu.au
The presentation will highlight the application of a vortex fluidic device (VFD) 1-4 which generates intense shear
within dynamic thin films, allowing access to a diverse range of processing, from small molecule and materials
synthesis to protein folding and enhancing enzymatic reactions.
The ability to carry out chemical and biochemical processing under continuous flow is gaining prominence,
where scalability is factored in at the inception of the fundamental science. To this end we have developed a
vortex fluidic device (VFD), Fig. 1,1 as a versatile thin film microfluidic platform. The VFD does not suffer from
clogging, unlike conventional channel based microfluidics, and the processing is not limited to diffusion control.
Reaction rates and yields can be dramatically increased relative to conventional batch processing, as well as
gaining access to new products and processing. This relates to the unique conditions imparted in the dynamic
thin film in the device, including a vibronic response in the form of Faraday waves, high shear stress and
micromixing, and increased heat and mass and transfer.2 All molecules are treated in the same way in the thin
film, which can be varied by varying the VFD control parameters, including concentrations, temperature, flow
rates, tilt angle , rotational speed, and surface contact angle, as well as different Faraday waves and other
field effects (magnetic, pulsed laser and UV, plasma), Fig.1. Within the thin films in the VFD, molecules and
materials can be prepared and probed. Both bottom up and top down materials synthesis is possible, and can
be used to control the pore size and wall thickness of mesoporous materials, control the phase of materials,
control the formation of graphene scrolls, slicing SWCNT and MWCNT < 400 nm, and exfoliate boron nitride
and graphene. Other applications abound in catalysis (including enhancing enzymatic reactions), probing the
structure of self-organised systems, reactivity and selectivity (assembly line synthesis), 3 protein folding,4 and
more

Figure 1. The vortex fluidic device (VFD) and some applications in materials, chemical and
biochemical processing.
References
1. Yasmin, L.; Chen, X.; Stubbs, K. A.; Raston, C. L. Scientific Reports, 2013, 3, 2282.
2. Britton, J.; Dalziel, S. B.; Raston, C. L. RSC Advances 2015, 5, 1655.2.
3. Britton, J.; Chalker, J.; Raston, C. L. Chem. Eur. J., 2015, 21, 10660.
4. Yuan, T. Z.et al., ChemBioChem, 2015, 16, 393.

4. Keynote
SURFACE MODIFICATIONS IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
Amanda V. Ellis*1
1Flinders

Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, School of Chemical and
Physical Sciences, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
* Corresponding Author: amanda.ellis@flinders.edu.au
This talk discusses various strategies to create novel surfaces inside microfluidic channels. In particular,
modification with oligonucleotides, carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles. Work will be presented on the
development of a new primer system (using hairpin-looped primers) that allows for the hybridisation of doublestranded PCR products on capture probes immobilised onto a surface of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)
microfluidic devices.1,2 The development of a PDMS microfluidic reactor with an interface layer made of carbon
nanomaterials (multi- and single-walled CNTs,). The CNT layer provides an electrical connection between
two physically separated microfluidic channels allowing for contactless open circuit RedOx reactions to be
performed between reagents passing through two the microchannels. Finally, a discussion of off-stoichiometric
thiol-ene (OSTE) polymers in combination with a one-step UV lamination click reaction that afford the
opportunity to rapidly create microchannels with low volume shrinkage and optical transparency will be
presented. A further benefit is pendant alkene groups can be utilised to attach nanoparticles, in this case gold
nanoparticles to form gold films as potential electrodes inside microchannels.
References
1. Khodakov, D. A., Thredgold, L. D., Lenehan, C. E., Andersson, G., Kobus, H. J., Ellis, A. V., Biomicrofluidics
2012, 6(2), 026503-1-026503-11.
2. Khodakov, D. A., Khodakova, A., Linacre, A., Ellis, A. V. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135(15), 5612-5619.

5. Invited
MICROFLUIDICS SINGLE CELL SEQUENCING
Yanyi Huang
1Biodynamic

Optical Imaging Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, College of Engineering, PekingTsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
* E-mail: yanyi@pku.edu.cn
Quantitative single-cell analysis enables the characterization of cellular systems with a level of detail that
cannot be achieved with ensemble measurement. I am going to show some of our recent work on developing
better approaches for single-cell sequencing. Whole-genome amplification (WGA) for next-generation
sequencing has seen wide applications in biology and medicine when characterization of the genome of a
single cell is required. High uniformity and fidelity of WGA is needed to accurately determine genomic
variations, such as copy number variations (CNVs) and single- nucleotide variations (SNVs). Prevailing WGA
methods have been limited by fluctuation of the amplification yield along the genome, as well as false-positive
and -negative errors for SNV identification. Here, we report emulsion WGA (eWGA) to overcome these
problems. We divide single-cell genomic DNA into a large number (105) of picoliter aqueous droplets in oil.
Containing only a few DNA fragments, each droplet is led to reach saturation of DNA amplification before
demulsification such that the differences in amplification gain among the fragments are minimized. We
demonstrate the proof-of-principle of eWGA with multiple dis- placement amplification (MDA), a popular WGA
method. This easy-to-operate approach enables simultaneous detection of CNVs and SNVs in an individual
human cell, exhibiting significantly improved amplification evenness and accuracy.
References
1. Yusi Fu, Chunmei Li, Sijia Lu, Wenxiong Zhou, FuchouTang, X.Sunney Xie,* Yanyi Huang, PNAS 2015,
112(38), 11923-11928.

6. Invited
MICROPROJECTION ARRAYS FOR SELECTIVE CAPTURE OF DENGUE PROTEINS FROM THE SKIN
Simon R. Corrie* and Mark A. F. Kendall
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent BioNano Science and Technology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
* Corresponding Author: s.corrie1@uq.edu.au
While novel capture and detection aspects of immunosensor technology continue to attract significant research
interest, progress is hampered by the reliance on need/syringe-based sampling of unpurified body fluid
samples. The protein content of blood is dominated by several high-concentration species1 such that complex
sample processing methods are often carried out in a laboratory prior to detection of the target protein. In the
context of infectious disease diagnostics, particularly in remote areas, access to laboratory infrastructure and
expert clinicians/technologists is severely restricted.
In addressing this challenge, we have developed a device for biomarker-selective capture of proteins and
antibodies directly from the skin, using Microprojection arrays coated with anti-fouling polymers and
biomarker-selective probes2. A microfabrication approach (DRIE) was used to produce silicon master arrays,
from which polycarbonate arrays were then copied using PDMS negative moulds in a hot embossing process3.
Our most recent findings describe the basic mechanism underlying the process of biomarker capture from the
skin in situ, and furthermore demonstrate application of Microprojection arrays for the detection of dengue NS1
protein in murine models of dengue fever.
References
1. Anderson, N. L.; Anderson, N. G.; Mol. Cell. Proteomics. 2002, 1, 845-867.
2. Corrie, S. R.; Fernando, G. J. P.; Crichton, M. L.; Brunck M. E. G.; Anderson, C. D.; Kendall, M. A. F.; Lab
Chip. 2010, 10, 2655-2658.
3. Yeow, B.; Coffey, J. W.; Muller, D. A.; Grondahl, L.; Kendall, M. A. F.; Anal. Chem. 2013, 85, 10196-10204.

7.
AN INTEGRATED POINT-OF-CARE MICRODEVICE FOR NEUTROPHIL SORTING AND CHEMOTAXIS
ASSAY
Hui Min Tay1, Chayakorn Petchakup2, Bernhard O. Boehm1,3, King Ho Holden Li2 and Han Wei Hou*1
1

Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore
636921, Singapore. 2Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50
Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore. 3Endocrine and Diabetes, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11
Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore.* Corresponding Author: hwhou@ntu.edu.sg
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting in increased
oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction 1. While clinical studies have reported abnormal
neutrophil chemotaxis in diabetic patients2, 3, the study of leukocyte dysfunctions remains technically
challenging due to laborious leukocyte isolation methods (density gradient centrifugation and blood lysis). In
this work, we introduce a novel integrated microdevice for single-step neutrophil sorting and chemotaxis assay
from whole blood directly. Using small blood volumes (~10 L), neutrophils are enriched using cell margination 4
and the purified neutrophils are subsequently exposed to a diffusion based chemotactic gradient to initiate
cellular migration. The unique strategy of integrating neutrophil sorting with chemotaxis assay for point-of-care
testing offers several key advantages including rapid, single step neutrophil enrichment and purification (~10
minutes using a drop of blood) and well controlled microenvironment to generate linear and stable chemotactic
gradients. Device operation using syringe pump is easy and the user only has to load blood sample into the
device. We envision that characterization of neutrophil chemotaxis in diabetes patients can provide direct
evidence in microvascular compilations in diabetes, and be used as surrogate biomarkers for monitoring
endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, peripheral markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in metabolic
diseases.
References
1. Hartge, M. M.; Unger, T.; Kintscher, U., Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research 2007, 4 (2), 84-88.
2. Mowat, A. G.; Baum, J., New England Journal of Medicine 1971, 284 (12), 621-627.
3. Delamaire, M.; Maugendre, D.; Moreno, M.; Le Goff, M. C.; Allannic, H.; Genetet, B., Diabetic Medicine
1997, 14 (1), 29-34.
4. Hou, H. W.; Bhagat, A. A. S.; Chong, A. G. L.; Mao, P.; Tan, K. S. W.; Han, J.; Lim, C. T., Lab on a Chip
2010, 10 (19), 2605-2613.

8.
NANOPOROUS MEMBRANES FOR MICROFLUIDIC SAMPLE-IN/ANSWER-OUT ASSAY OF PROTEINS
IN URINE
Feng Li1,2, Rosanne M Guijt2, Michael C Breadmore1
1

Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Chemistry, University of Tasmania,
Private Bag 75, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
2 Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania,
Private Bag 26, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. Email: Michael.Breadmore@utas.edu.au
Microfluidic device integrating nonporous membrane based sample preparation with electrophoretic separation
was developed. This device was fabricated by sandwiching two different nanoporous polycarbonate track
etched (PCTE) membranes between two PDMS slabs embedded with microchannels. It has been
demonstrated our device integrated the protein extraction, purification, concentration and separation into a
single chip based on size selectivity of these two membranes. The first larger membrane was a filter and
extractor, it can be used to selectively extract and inject proteins with appropriate size while preventing larger
interferences from sample matrix. The second smaller membrane was a concentrator which can
preconcentrating target proteins, at the same time it can also purify the proteins by removing the small
interferences ions and smaller proteins. By using this device, sample-in/answer-out analysis of albumin in
human urine has been achieved within 1 min, and the linear range of 0-100 g mL-1 of albumin covers the
diagnostic level of albuminuria of 30g mL-1, which shows our device has a great potential in point-of-care
protein analysis from body fluids.

9. Keynote
WHAT CAN MICRO REACTORS OFFER CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS AND BIO PROCESSING
Stephen J. Haswell
Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
Email: s.haswell@deakin.edu.au
In this presentation the fundamental aspects of micro reactor systems together with their operational
properties will be described. The systems used have been constructed from borosilicate glass to give a
network of etched channels in the range 50-300 m. Hydrodynamic pumping and applied electric fields
to create electroosmotic flow and electrokinetic mobilisation within the capillaries are used to transport
and separate the nl volumes of reagents and reaction products. Examples will be given of a number of
reactions that have now been carried out in micro reactors to illustrate the practical advantages of the
technology. Having described and illustrated the advantages micro reactor technology can bring in
terms of micro fluidic manipulations, the presentation will next consider how reaction intensification
conditions and monitoring can be exploited in an integrated way. In terms of reaction intensification
examples will be given to show how modified surfaces and localised heating can be used to achieve
greater flexibility and control of chemical and biological processing.
Currently the analytical finish carried out to characterise the chemistry performed with micro reactors
has relied mainly on off chip GC MS, HPLC and NMR measurements, however the in situ use of current
and pressure monitoring has proved to be an attractive inferential approach to reaction monitoring, from
which dynamic reaction information can be obtained. Examples will be given of how inferential based
measurements could provide a beneficial measurement strategy in micro reactor devices, where a high
level of chemical control is achievable. Finally the relevance of system integration will be outlined as
one of the major strengths of adopting a micro reactor approach to chemical and biological processing.

10. Invited
MICROFLUIDIC FABRICATION OF STABLE DOUBLE EMULSIONS FOR CONTROLLED RELEASE
Chun-Xia Zhao,*1,2 Dong Chen,2 David A. Weitz1 and Anton P. J. Middelberg1
1Australian

Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD
4072, Australia. 2School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Department of Physics, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States. * Corresponding Author: z.chunxia@uq.edu.au
Double emulsions have attracted significant interest because of their hierarchical structure of droplets
encapsulated in droplets, and have been applied for various applications, such as food, pharmaceuticals, etc
[1-3]. Traditional methods of making double emulsions involve a two-step process, firstly forming the primary
emulsions then followed by further emulsifying the primary emulsions in an external phase. These approaches
lack control over the structure and size of the resulting double emulsions. Microfluidic technology offers a facile
way to make complex emulsions with various structures (double, triple and even higher hierarchical emulsions)
and controlled properties. However, the stability of double emulsions, which is essential for practical
applications, remains a big challenge due to their inherent thermodynamic instability. To improve the stability
of double emulsions, we developed a microcapillary method for making ultra-thin shell double emulsions, which
can be stable up to months. Different parameters were investigated to control the formation of ultra-thin-shell
double emulsions, and optimize the system and operation conditions that are facile for the formation of ultrathin-shell double emulsions. Different sizes of monodisperse double emulsions formed in the dripping regime
showed good stability over a long period of time and small molecules can be retained in the inner droplet
without a trigger. In contrast, rapid release can be achieved by osmolarity shock. This work demonstrated the
significant potential of stable double emulsions in controlled release.
References
1. L.-Y. Chu, A.S. Utada, R.K. Shah, J.-W. Kim, D.A. Weitz, Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 46
(2007) 8970-8974.
2. A.T. Florence, D. Whitehill, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 11 (1982) 277-308.
3. S. Matsumoto, Y. Kita, D. Yonezawa, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 57 (1976) 353-361.

11.
MICROFLUIDIC DROPLET SENSING, SPLITTING AND MERGING USING CAPACITIVE SENSORS AND
SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVES
Muhsincan Sesena, Tuncay Alana, and Adrian Neild*a
a Lab

for Microsystems, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.

* Corresponding Author: Adrian.neild@monash.edu
Exhaustive analytical studies can be carried out in rapid succession in microfluidic devices when aqueous
droplets are dispersed in a carrier fluid. Droplet microfluidics offers chemical and physical isolation of droplets
where every single droplet can be identified as a mini reaction compartment. Mono-disperse droplet formation
and further manipulation capabilities allows a multitude of studies to be carried out with these systems. In this
work, the droplets are first sensed by a capacitive sensor so that they can be split unevenly on-demand at a
T-junction by-pass using surface acoustic waves (SAWs). SAWs couple into a fluid medium with Rayleigh
angle and this leads to acoustic streaming that can drive the carrier fluid in the by-pass channel. The by-pass
channel is designed to have high resistance so without SAW actuation, the droplets do not split, however,
when SAW is applied, acoustic streaming in the by-pass channel creates a suction effect in the main channel
thereby splitting a droplet at the junction into two. A number of parameters determine the final split daughter
droplet volume and these parameters are thoroughly characterised by experiments and simulation.
Furthermore, the split droplets could be trapped in a hydrodynamic merging chamber and merged with the
second split droplet so that a combinatorial library is formed. The proposed system can easily be integrated to
existing lab-on-a-chip devices and it offers a robust and contamination-free droplet manipulation technique in
closed microchannels that can be used with screening studies in an attempt to find the desired chemical
reaction.

12.
MULTIPLEXED BIOMARKER DETECTION USING A MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORM INTEGRATING
SINGLE BEAD TRAPPING AND ACOUSTIC MIXING
Huaying Chen1, Yuan Gao1, Karolina Petkovic-Duran1, Michael Best1, Vicky Boyd2 and Yonggang Zhu*1
1

Microfluidics and Fluid Dynamics Team, CSIRO Manufacturing and Biosecurity Flagship, Private Bag 10,
Clayton, VIC, 3169, Australia.
2 Biosecurity Flagship, CSIRO, Private Bag 24, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
*Corresponding Author: yonggang.zhu@csiro.au
Rapid detection of multiple biomarkers in a small amount of sample is highly demanded in the pathogen/virus
detection in clinics, food safety control, environment monitoring and homeland security, etc. In this paper, we
report the development of a microfluidic platform for the rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers
using immunoassay. The microfluidic platform is based on simple single magnetic beads trapping technique
and bubble-induced acoustic micromixing. It consists of i) a PDMS microfluidic chip containing air bubble traps
and a glass slide coated with permalloy microarray, ii) a vacuum pump and solenoid valves to handle the liquid
reagents, and iii) a piezo transducer to generate ultrasound to mix nanoliter samples. This device enables a)
trap and release of single magnetic microbeads, b) rapid and active mixing of low concentration analytes and
beads conjugated with antibodies and c) imaging of individual beads for multiplexed detection. A proof-ofconcept study has shown that the platform can simultaneously detect both PSA and CEA with a limit of
detection of around 1 ng/mL. The novelties of the device are a) active bubble-induced micromixing, which
dramatically reduces the assay time from hours to less than 20 min; and b) robust and simple single bead
trapping, which not only reduces the assay time by fast sample loading and washing, but also enables single
bead identity (a critical requirement for multiplexed detection. This platform has a great potential for multiplexed
biomarker detection with high sensitivity using color-coded beads and other imaging techniques such as
surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

13. Sponsor Talk # 1

FABRICATION AND CHARACTERISATION CAPABILITIES AT ANFF-Q
Chau T. Lien
The Queensland Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-Q), AIBN, The University of
Queensland, St. Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. Email: l.chau@uq.edu.au
Learn how the Queensland Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-Q) can assist your
research. ANFF-Q provides open access to state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities to national and international
academic researchers and industry personnel. ANFF-Q has sites at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering
and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and the Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE) at The University
of Queensland and the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre (QMNC) at Griffith University and is
part of a national network of 8 nodes and 19 institutions across Australia. With cutting-edge equipment and
highly experienced staff, ANFF-Q can assist you with the development of ideas, creating prototypes and
characterising outcomes in a wide range of areas including microfluidics and MEMS, micro and nano
electronics, sensors and medical devices, biomaterials, silicon carbide on silicon deposition, and novel
substrates. Projects assisted by ANFF-Q include the development of nanopatch microprojection
nanoneedles to replace traditional injections, the development of a device to capture and detect specific
cancer cells in blood, the study of stimuli-responsive peptides and their applications in pharmaceuticals to
functional foods, the improvement of mine safety through the application of novel materials, the investigation
of novel biocidal agents to improve water treatment systems, and the development of next generation organic
solar cells.

14. Keynote
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF NUTRIENTS USING PAPER-BASED MICROFLUIDIC SENSORS
Spas D. Kolev*
School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
* Corresponding Author: s.kolev@unimelb.edu.au
Paper-based microfluidic sensors have gained considerable popularity in recent years as a new type of
disposable analytical sensing devices which meet the increasing needs of rapid, accurate and low-cost
monitoring and analysis for environmental protection and healthcare. They utilize the capabilities of cellulose
fibres in paper, which form a hydrophilic porous matrix, to transport liquids by capillary force only.
The present paper describes the development and application of paper-based microfluidic sensors for
environmental monitoring of nutrients such as phosphate, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia. 1-4 The hydrophilic liquid
penetration channels and detection zones in these sensors were ink-jet printed using a paper-sizing agent.
Colour analytical reactions were utilized for analyte detection with the colour intensity being measured by a
conventional flatbed scanner. Complex on-line sample pre-treatment steps such as reduction of nitrate to nitrite
and membrane-based gas-diffusion separation of ammonia were successfully implemented for the first time in
the proposed paper-based sensors thus further expanding their analytical capabilities. The paper-based
sensors, mentioned above, were applied to natural samples and very good agreement with the corresponding
reference methods was observed.
References
1. Jayawardane, B. M.; McKelvie, I. D.; Kolev, S. D. Talanta 2012, 100, 454-460.
2. Jayawardane, B. M.; Wongwilai, W.; Grudpan, K.; Kolev, S. D.; Heaven, M. W.; Nash, D. M.; McKelvie, I.
D. J. Env. Qual. 2014, 43, 1081-1085.
3. Jayawardane, B. M.; Shen, W.; McKelvie, I. D.; Kolev, S. D. Anal. Chem. 2014, 86, 7274-7279.
4. Jayawardane, B. M.; McKelvie, I. D.; Kolev, S. D. Anal. Chem. 2015, 87, 4621-4626.

15. Invited
MICROFLUIDIC-ASSITED CONSTRAIN SPHEROIDS FOR LONG TERM CELL CULTURE
Ciprian Iliescu,1 * Fang Yu,1,2 Hanry Yu1,2
1Institute
2National

of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore.

University of Singapore.* Corresponding Author: cipi_sil@yahoo.com

Numerous microfludic cell culture platforms have been developed with a monolayer of cells growing on 2D
substrates. The main drawback for 2D culture system is that it lacks the cell-cell interaction as presented in
vivo. In vivo, cells are present in many layers where they interact with each other by providing biological,
chemical and mechanical cues. Therefore, 3D cell cultures system where multiple layers of cells are interacting
with each other are able to recapture in vivo cell morphology, gene expression profile and biological activities
better than cells cultured in 2D system.
The present work underlines the main achievements of our team in the field: a 3D culture model named
Constrain Spheroids (CS) that can operate in both static or perfusion culture. In this model the cells aggregates
in spheroids which are stabilized in a sandwich configuration between surface modified glass slide and a
microfabricated ultra-thin Parylene C membrane. This allows us to maximize mass transfer, and overcome
uneven cell count and spheroids size issues. The glass substrate was modified for more uniform and rapid
hepatocytes spheroids formation within 1 day, allowing for earlier drug testing and perfusion culture initiation.
The top substrate is an ultra-thin, inert and flexible parylene membrane fabricated using MEMS technologies,
special design to entrap the spheroids. We found that the perfusion constrain-spheroids culture maintain a
better polarity.

16. Invited
ADVANCED MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani1*
1School

of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of

New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia*
Corresponding Author: m.warkiani@unsw.edu.au
Cancer is one of the worlds deadliest human diseases. The number of cancer-related deaths has been on the
rise due to the increasing life expectancy of our modern population and also rapid globalization of unhealthy
lifestyles and diets. Over the past decades, numerous medical and bioengineering approaches have been
developed to gain more insights into this disease. More recently, microfluidics technology has been intensively
utilized for the analysis of cancer. With a length scale comparable to that of cells and inherent advantages
such as small sample volume and fast processing time; microfluidics is well-positioned to serve as a promising
platform for study of cancer. In fact, various applications have been demonstrated using the microfluidic-based
devices. In this seminar, I will describe our recent efforts in development of novel microfluidic tools for
enrichment of cancer cells from blood. I will discuss how simple micro-engineered tools (i.e., fabricated using
conventional micromilling, 3D printing and MEMS techniques) can be combined with fluid mechanics concepts
in order to develop functional devices for the study and analysis of cancer, from early detection to drug
screening.

17.
MICROFLUIDIC BASED PLATFORM FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF NANOPARTICLE
TOXICITY
Ziqiu Tong1, Scott McCormick1, Angela Ivask1, Enzo Lombi1, Craig Priest1, and Nicolas H. Voelcker*1
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095,
Australia.* Corresponding Author: nico.voelcker@unisa.edu.au
Manufactured nanoparticles (MNPs) are microscopic materials (sub-100 nm) having physical and chemical
properties uniquely different from their respective bulk materials. Hence, MNPs have found applications in
optical, electronic, and biomedical fields and numerous novel products containing MNPs are entering the
market each year1,2. However, it has been shown that some nanoparticles exhibit toxic effects 2. A rapid,
reproducible standard screening tool for analyzing and determining MNPs toxicity in vitro in a high throughput
manner would be desirable to safeguard against toxic effects to humans or the environment. To this end, we
are developing a microfluidic platform aiming for quick cyto- and genotoxicity screening of large numbers of
nanoparticles. Specifically, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic chips fabricated via
photolithography are adhered to glass cover slides functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins or
cell surface antibodies. In microchannels, parallel laminar streams containing suspensions of different
mammalian cells are immobilized onto the functionalized surfaces. Subsequently, in perpendicular channels a
series of parallel streams of nanoparticle-containing solution are flown over the immobilized cells. Different cell
types and different nanoparticle treatment conditions can therefore be assessed in a single experiment. At the
present, we have successfully fabricated PDMS microfluidic chips with 5 inlet microchannels for cells
perpendicularly crossing with 5 inlet microchannels for nanoparticles. We have been able to capture flowing
cells by ECM or antibody surface functionalization, and further to deliver treatment solutions (cell tracker dyes)
to visualize the perpendicular cross flow. In our future work, we will scale up the number of microchannels for
screening of larger number of nanoparticles.
References
1. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. Consumer Products
http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi
2. Malysheva, A. et al. Nature nanotechnology. 2014, 10, 835-844
3. Levard, C. et al. Environ Sci Tech. 2012, 46, 6900-6914.

Inventory.

October

2013, from

DAY 2, 22 March 2016, TUESDAY

9.00 am

Dr Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky, Griffith University

Announcement

Chair: Dr Geoff R. Willmott, The University of Auckland

9.10 am

Prof Justin Gooding, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Towards Single Molecule Sensors

9.40 am

Prof Alberto Redaelli, Politecnico di Milano

A Novel Lab-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Platform to Monitor The Shear-Induced Thrombotic Risk

10.00 pm

Dr Ramanathan Vaidyanathan, University of Queensland

Next-Gen Immunoassays: Enhancing Target Capture Using Tunable Surface Shear Forces and
Novel Affinity Reagents

10.20 pm

Ellen Otte, University of Queensland/ CSIRO Clayton

Using a Microfluidic Device to Isolate and Investigate Different Modes of Cell-Cell Communication

10.35 am

MORNING TEA

Chair: Prof Justin Gooding, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

11.00 am

Dr Yonggang Zhu, CSIRO Clayton

Microfluidics for Biodetection and Energy

11.30 am

Dr Niall Macdonald, University of Tasmania

3D Printing Microfluidic Devices Which Printer Type?

11.50 am

Chin Hong Ooi, Griffith University

Self-Propelled Motion and Evaporation of a Floating Liquid Marble

12.05 pm

Frederik H. Kriel, University of South Australia

Extraction and Scale-Up of Platinum Using Microfluidic Solvent Extraction

12.20 pm

Kara B. Spilstead, Deakin University

Exploring Coloured Materials for Application in Chemiluminescence Detection Flow Cells and
Microfluidic Chips

12.35 pm

LUNCH

Chair: Prof Stephen J. Haswell, Deakin University

1.35 pm

Dr Geoff R. Willmott, The University of Auckland

Trajectories and Charge in Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing

2.05 am

Dr Egan H. Doeven, Deakin University

Development of a Lab on a Chip System for The Detection of Influenza Virus

2.25 am

Dan Yuan, University of Wollongong

Selective Lateral Transport of Particles and Solution Exchange in Viscoelastic Fluid

2.40 pm

Dr Craig Priest, University of South Australia (SPONSOR Talk # 2)

ANFF South Australia: Chips and Interfaces for Micro/Nanofluidics

3.00 pm

Mr Alan Iacopi, QLD Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (SPONSOR Talk # 3)

The Queensland Microtechnology Facility Innovation Centre and Capabilities

3.20 pm

AFTERNOON TEA

Chair: Dr Rosanne M Guijt, University of Tasmania

3.50 pm

Dr Conor F. Hogan, La Trobe University

Android Voltammetry: Low Cost Electrochemical Detection for Paper Microfluidic Sensors Using a
Mobile Device

4.20 pm

POSTER SESSION

5.20 pm

CLOSE DAY 2

6.30 pm

CONFERENCE DINNER (Stone Restaurants & Bar, 161 Grey Street, South Bank, Brisbane)

18. Keynote
TOWARDS SINGLE MOLECULE SENSORS
Yuanhui Zheng1, Xun Lu1, Alexander H. Soeriyadi1, Xiaoyu Cheng1,2, Thibault Tabarin2, Phillip Nicovich2,
Lorenzo Rosa3,4, Soon Hock Ng5,6, Udo Bach5,6, Katharina Gaus2 and J. Justin Gooding1*
1

School of Chemistry, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent
Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
2EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences and the ARC Centre of
Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
3Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Micro-Photonics (H34), P. O. Box 218, Hawthorn, Victoria
3122, Australia.
4Department of Information Engineering, University of Parma, V.le G.P. Usberti, 181/A I-43124 Parma, Italy
5Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800,
Australia.
6The Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168.
*Corresponding author: Email justin.gooding@unsw.edu.au
Single molecule sensors are in some ways the ultimate analytical device. We are interested in developing
single molecule sensors for quantitative analysis. Conventional single molecule measurements are bound by
upper and lower concentration limits. A consideration of these concentration limits provides clues on how to
develop quantitative single molecule sensors [1]. A number of strategies are being tried which we have
classified as i) near field-massively parallel, ii) wide field sampling-near field detection and iii) wide field
measurements [2]. This talk will outline work done in our laboratory that addresses these different strategies.
The first is a single molecule surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy as a wide field sampling-near field
detection approach [3] and the second employs single molecule localisation microscopy as a wide field
measurement method [4].
References
1. P. Holzmeister, P.; Acuna, G. P.; Grohmann, D.; Tinnefeld, P. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2014, 43, 1014-1028.
2. Gooding, J. J.; Gaus, K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Submitted
3. Y. Zheng, A. H. Soeriyadi, L. Rosa, S. H. Ng, U. Bach, J. J. Gooding, Nature Comm. 2015, 6, 8797.
4. X. Lu, T. Tabarin, P. Nicovich, S. R. C. Vivekchand, K. Gaus, J. J. Gooding, unpublished.

19. Invited
A NOVEL LAB-ON-A-CHIP MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORM TO MONITOR THE SHEAR-INDUCED
THROMBOTIC RISK
Annalisa Dimasi1, Filippo Consolo1, Marco Rasponi1, Gianfranco B. Fiore1, Lorenzo Valerio1,2, Federico
Pappalardo2, Danny Bluestein3, Marvin J. Slepian4, Alberto Redaelli*1
1Department

of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci

32, 20133, Milano IT
2Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58
20132. Milano IT
3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
4Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson,
AZ , USA
* Corresponding Author: alberto.redaelli@polimi.it
Shear-induced thrombosis due to platelet activation (PA) can cause device failure and serious post-implant
complications for the recipients of blood contacting devices (BCDs) such as ventricular assist devices (VADs).
However, standard in vitro flow-based assays require large volumes of sample and reagents and do not allow
high-throughput experiments. Furthermore, "hyper-shear" conditions and fast dynamics of shear stress
patterns typically occurring in BCDs cannot be replicated in viscometer-based devices. To overcome these
limits we used PDMS-based microfluidic technology to replicate realistic flow patterns in BCDs under highly
controlled conditions [1]. As a first step we simulated the behavior of the Heart Assist V (MicroMed Technology
Inc., USA) VAD. In vitro tests of PA were performed by using the platelet activity state (PAS) assay [2]. Blood
was withdrawn from healthy adult volunteers, filtered and subsequent gel-column filtration of platelet rich
plasma. Experiments were conducted by flowing the gel-filtered plasma (GFP) sample through the microfluidic
platforms by means of two synchronized syringe pumps working in a reciprocating mode so that the sample
flew alternatively in two directions through the device.
An increasing trend of activation was observed between 0 and 40 passages, while a quasi-plateau behaviour
was observed from 40 to 72 passages, suggesting that a limit of platelet activation was reached at longer
exposure time. The study represents a first application of microfluidic platforms to perform shear-induced tests
of PA under dynamic and VAD-like shear flow conditions. In perspective it can be used to test antiplatelet
drugs and assess/compare different devices.
References
1. Dimasi, A.; Rasponi, M.; Sheriff, J.; Chiu, W.C.; Bluestein, D.; Tran, P.L.; Slepian, M.J.; Redaelli, A. Biomed.
Microdevices, 2015, 17, 117.
2. Bluestein, D.; Girdhar, G.; Einav, S; Slepian, M.J. J. Biomech. 2013, 46, 338-344.

20. Invited
NEXT-GEN IMMUNOASSAYS: ENHANCING TARGET CAPTURE USING TUNABLE SURFACE
SHEAR FORCES AND NOVEL AFFINITY REAGENTS
Ramanathan Vaidyanathan,1 Yadveer S. Grewal,1 Lauren J. Spadafora,3 Muhammad J.A. Shiddiky,1,,*
Gerard A. Cangelosi3 and Matt Trau1,2*
1Centre

for Personalised NanoMedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
Corner College and Cooper Roads (Bldg 75), The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
2School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland
4072, Australia
3School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Email: r.pudhukodevaidyanath@uq.edu.au; m.shiddiky@griffith.edu.au*; m.trau@uq.edu.au*

New high-performance detection technologies and more robust protein capture agents can be combined to
both rapidly and specifically capture and detect protein biomarkers associated with disease in complex
biological samples. Recently, we have developed a simple methodology using tunable alternating current (ac)
electrohydrodynamics (ac-EHD) forces generated within few nanometers of an electrode surface (i.e., double
layer), referred to as nanoshearing. Over the past two years, we have extensively explored this phenomenon
for the removal of nonspecifically adsorbed species from the sensor surface and also for the highly specific
capture of cellular species,1 molecular analytes2-4 as well as the manipulation of colloidal particles.5 This
presentation shall review some of these recent developments, highlighting the applicability of this approach for
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunoassays and rapid detection (< 5 min) of protein
biomarkers in combination with recently developed stable recombinant affinity reagents, namely nanoyeastscFv.

References
1. Vaidyanathan, R.; Shiddiky, M. J. A.; Rauf, S.; Dray, E.; Tay, Z.; Trau, M. Anal. Chem. 2014, 86, 2042-49.
2. Shiddiky, M. J. A.; Vaidyanathan, R.; Rauf, S.; Tay, Z.; Trau, M. Sci. Rep. 2014, 4, 3716.
3. Wang, Y.; Vaidyanathan, R.; Shiddiky, M. J. A.; Trau, M. ACS Nano 2015, 9, 6354-6362.
4. Vaidyanathan, R.; Rauf, S.; Grewal, Y. S.; Spadafora, L. J.; Shiddiky, M. J. A.; Cangelosi, G. A.; Trau, M.
Anal. Chem. 2015, 87, 11673-11681.
5. Rauf. S.; Shiddiky, M. J. A.; Trau, M.; Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 4813-15.

21.
USING A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE TO ISOLATE AND INVESTIGATE DIFFERENT MODES OF CELLCELL COMMUNICATION
Ellen Otte1,2, Guannan Su2, Nick Glass1 and Justin Cooper-White1,2,3,*
1Australian

Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Cnr College Rd and

Cooper Rd, St Lucia, QLD, 4072
2Manufacturing, CSIRO, Normanby Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3198
3School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072
* Corresponding Author: j.cooperwhite@uq.edu.au
Efficient and complete differentiation of stem cells is an important aspect of successful tissue engineering.
Differentiation, like all cellular processes, is regulated by a complex combination of biological and abiotic
factors. During development in vivo communication between cell populations is essential for cell specification.
The ability of cells to release soluble factors to affect the cells around them is regularly exploited, as the addition
of soluble factors is the basis of most differentiation protocols. Missing is the contribution of direct contact with
other cell populations, as this has so far been difficult to isolate and investigate. In order to isolate these cell
communication modes, a microfluidic device has been designed allowing direct contact and paracrine
signalling to be spatially separated, whilst their effects on cells are quantifiable with the use of fluorescent
readouts in situ. This has been applied to investigate the effect of cell-cell communication on mesenchymal
stem cells when exposed to a number of different cell types. The ability to grow cell populations that have
direct contact with each other but do not share a fluid/media environment has allowed insight into the
communication between endothelial cells and MSCs, which are difficult to co-culture due to incompatible media
requirement. These experiments have shown that contact with endothelial cells decreases the osteogenic
differentiation of MSCs, with important implications for the generation of vascularized bone tissue constructs.

22. Keynote
MICROFLUIDICS FOR BIODETECTION AND ENERGY
Huaying Chena, Yanping Dua, Karolina Petkovic-Durana, Yuan Gaoa, Yinan Zhangb, Clifford Shuma,c, Nam
Lea, G. Bradburya, Guy Metcalfea, Min Gud and Yonggang Zhua*
aCSIRO

Manufacturing Flagship, Private Bay 10, Clayton, VIC 3169, Australia.

University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
cRMIT University, SAMME, Building 57, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
dRMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
*yonggang.zhu@csiro.au
bSwinburne

The field of microfluidics has grown significantly since the past two decades due to the wide variety of
multidisciplinary such as sensing, drug development, energy and so on. This presentation will cover some of
the latest research and development activities in CSIRO Microfluidics Laboratories. It will mainly focus on the
investigations of capillary and chaotic flows in microgeometries and the associated applications in the
development of microchip based point of care diagnostic device for virus detection and a high efficiency heat
transfer device for solar cells.
To address the main challenges for point-of-care devices such as speed, reliability and portability, micromixing
techniques have been developed to speed up the biochemical assay process. Both acoustic and magnetic
techniques are used to achieve chaotic mixing at microscales. The assay time can be significantly reduced
from hours down to minutes. Detections of Hendra virus antibody from infected horse blood samples and
several cancer biomarkers have been demonstrated using the developed microfluidic device. For the energy
application, a low cost heat-pipe plate based thermal management system has been developed that can
remove heat from solar panel with high efficiency has been developed. One of the key features of the device
is the fluidic channels with nano-coated porous materials for effective capillary flow. The system has been
integrated with a plasmonic amorphous silicon solar cell and it can dramatically recover the efficiency loss due
to temperature rise and thus increase the energy yield of the solar cells.

23. Invited
3D PRINTING MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES WHICH PRINTER TYPE?
Niall Macdonalda, Feng Lib, Joan Marc Cabota, Sidra Waheeda, Vipul Guptaa, Petr Smjekalb, Rosanne
Guijtc, Brett Paulla,b and Michael Breadmorea,b
a ARCCentre

of Excellence for ElectromaterialsScience (ACES), School of Physical Sciences, University of

Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
b Australia Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Physical Sciences- Chemistry, University
of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
c Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
Corresponding Author: Michael.Breadmore@utas.edu.au
Despite being an old technique, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing as it has more commonly become
known, has received significant attention because of the possibility to create just about anything, from guns,
cars, body parts and designer fashion items. It also shows much promise in the field of microfluidics where
the possibility to go from computer design to physical microfluidic device in hand within a few hours would
significantly change the field. While this is not quite reality, devices that can be produced with 3D printers
demonstrate the potential of this fabrication approach, but this depends on the type of printer selected for use.
This presentation will discuss the potential of inkjet, fused deposition modelling and stereolithography printers
for the fabrication of microfluidic devices, and will address their advantages and disadvantages of each
approach to help choose the right printer to make the devices right for you.

24.
SELF-PROPELLED MOTION AND EVAPORATION OF A FLOATING LIQUID MARBLE
Chin Hong Ooi, Nam-Trung Nguyen*
QLD Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan
QLD 4111, Australia.* Corresponding Author: nam-trung.nguyen@griffith.edu.au
A liquid marble is a liquid droplet coated with hydrophobic powder. The hydrophobic coating separates the
enclosed liquid with its surroundings. This feature allows a liquid marble to float on liquid surfaces with the help
of surface tension. The liquid marble has been used as a microbioreactor or a three-dimensional cell growth
platform.1 A mobile flating liquid marble could serve as a digital microfluidics platform. A liquid marble
containing aqueous ethanol can propel itself across a water surface because of the Marangoni solutocapillary
effect.2 Recently, we showed that the floating liquid marble motion depends on the ratio of the water surface
to liquid marble size and the ethanol concentration of the liquid marble. 3 This was done by tracking the motion
of a floating liquid marble. As the liquid marble coating is porous, the liquid content evaporates. The lifetime of
the liquid marble depends on its evaporation rate. We investigated the evaporation rate of a sessile liquid
marble on a solid surface that contains aqueous ethanol. We analysed the changes in volume, mass, density
and surface tension via a combination of direct measurement and marble surface profile fitting. The
evaporation rate of a liquid marble differs from that of an aqueous ethanol droplet because the powder coating
significantly affects its critical properties.
References
1. Sarvi, F.; Jain, K.; Arbatan, T.; Verma, P. J.; Hourigan, K.; Thompson, M. C.; Shen, W.; Chan, P. P. Y.; Adv.
Healthc. Mater. 2014, 77-86.
2. Bormashenko, E.; Bormashenko, Y.; Grynyov, R.; Aharoni, H.; Whyman, G.; Binks, B. P. J. Phys. Chem. C
2015, 119, 9910-9915.
3. Ooi, C. H.; Nguyen, A. V.; Evans, G. M.; Gendelman, O.; Bormashenko, E.; Nguyen, N. T. RSC Adv., 2015,
5, 101006-101012.

25.
EXTRACTION AND SCALE-UP OF PLATINUM USING MICROFLUIDIC SOLVENT EXTRACTION
Frederik H. Kriel1, Craig Priest*1, John Ralston1, Luke Parkinson1, Stephen Woollam2, Neville Plint2, Richard
A. Grant3, Peter Ash3
1 Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia

Anglo Americans Technical Solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Sonning Common, Reading, United Kingdom
* Corresponding Author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
2

Microfluidic technologies have transformed the way tiny volumes of fluid are dispensed, transported, reacted,
and separated in chemistry and biology applications, and, while higher throughput processing has shown great
promise, major challenges exist at these scales. Traditional scale-up is not possible due to the high surfaceto-volume ratio being a key feature of the system and, therefore, massive parallelization is necessary while
maintaining flow stability and efficient phase disengagement. We have shown that microfluidic solvent
extraction (SX) can be applied to mineral processing, using model, particle-spiked, and real leach solutions.14

In the chip, two channels (tens of m high and wide etched in Pyrex glass) merge to contact the aqueous and
organic phases for periods from milliseconds up to 1 min before diverging. Here, we present the first study of
microSX in a multichip configuration for precious metals refining, focusing on extraction performance, flow
stability, and throughput for platinum by anion exchange extractants. The results suggest that parallel operation
of these multi-chip modules can be reliably achieved and may be further numbered-up for industrial use.
References
1. Priest, C., et al., Chemical Engineering & Technology 2012, 35, 1312-1319
2. Priest, C., et al., International Journal of Mineral Processing 2011, 98, 168-173.
3. Priest, C., et al., J. Flow Chem. 2013, 3, 76-80.
4. Kriel, F.H., et al., Chemical Engineering Science 2015, 138, 827-833

26.
EXPLORING COLOURED MATERIALS FOR APPLICATION IN CHEMILUMINESCENCE DETECTION
FLOW CELLS AND MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS
Kara B. Spilstead1, 2*, Richard Alexander2, Egan H. Doeven2, Paul S. Francis1, Stephen J. Haswell2, Neil W.
Barnett1
1

Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Chemistry
and Biotechnology, (Waurn Ponds Campus). 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
2 Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Regional and
Rural Futures, (Waurn Ponds Campus). 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
* Corresponding Author: kbs@deakin.edu.au
The use of coloured materials for chemiluminescent flow cell detection has not extensively been explored to
date. In the late 1970s, Stieg and Nieman compared the use of white and black materials for
chemiluminescence flow cells in flow injection analysis, and demonstrated that white cells produced signal
intensities that were far superior.1 Since this initial work, however, chemiluminescence detectors constructed
by machining channels have almost exclusively been prepared using transparent materials, 2-5 and there has
been little exploration of other coloured materials, even though they could provide an advantage in the
detection of low concentration samples.
This work examines the application of a range of coloured materials to enhance detection using different
chemiluminescence reactions (luminol and permanganate) in microfluidic sized channels. The effectiveness
of each cell has been evaluated by comparing the chemiluminescence intensity of continuously merged
reactants, as well as the distribution of light throughout the reaction zone using photographic image analysis
with ImageJ software. Results demonstrate that a red cell produces 3-5 times greater signal intensities than
blue cells for red emitters, and so there is a potential for coloured materials to be incorporated into flow cells
and microfluidic chips.
References
1. S. Stieg and T. A. Nieman, Analytical Chemistry, 1978, 50, 401-404.
2. A. Economou, A. K. Clark and P. R. Fielden, Analytical Communications, 1998, 35, 389-390.
3. L. M. Magalhes, M. A. Segundo, S. Reis, J. L. F. C. Lima, J. M. Estela and V. Cerd, Analytical Chemistry,
2007, 79, 3933-3939.
4. J. M. Terry, J. L. Adcock, D. C. Olson, D. K. Wolcott, C. Schwanger, L. A. Hill, N. W. Barnett and P. S.
Francis, Analytical Chemistry, 2008, 80, 9817-9821.
5. B. Kuswandi, Nuriman, J. Huskens and W. Verboom, Anal. Chim. Acta, 2007, 601, 141-155.

27. Keynote
TRAJECTORIES AND CHARGE IN TUNABLE RESISTIVE PULSE SENSING
Geoff R. Willmott*1,2, Eva Weatherall1,3 and Peter Hauer1,3
1The

MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

of Physics and Chemistry, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
3School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
* Corresponding Author: g.willmott@auckland.ac.nz
2Departments

Tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS) is a pore-based technique which enables high throughput, particleby-particle analysis of submicron colloids.1 This presentation will focus on two extensions to the basic analysis
usually used for TRPS concentration, size, and charge measurements. The work is important for
understanding the precision and accuracy of TRPS, especially as the technique is applied over an increasing
range of experimental conditions. The results should also be relevant for resistive pulse sensing techniques in
general, and various similar nano- and microfluidic systems.
Firstly, we consider the pore surface charge, which controls electro-osmotic transport. Surface charge is also
responsible for non-uniform spatial distributions of ions, which can give rise to conductive pulses. 2 Our
experiments study elastomeric polyurethane pores which have controlled surface chemistry, with electrokinetic
properties characterized using streaming potential measurements.
Secondly, the occurrence and effects of particle trajectories have been studied using TRPS in conjunction with
fluorescence microscopy.3 Correlations between sizes and durations of both resistive and fluorescence pulses
can be explained by considering trajectories, the laser beam shape, and the distribution of ions. Finite element
methods have been applied to model both trajectories and ionic distributions.
References
1. Weatherall, E.; Willmott, G. R. Analyst 2015, 140, 3318-3334.
2. Weatherall, E.; Willmott, G. R. J. Phys. Chem. B 2015 119, 53285335.
3. Hauer, P.; Le Ru, E. C.; Willmott, G. R. Biomicrofluidics 2015, 9, 014110.

28. Invited
DEVELOPMENT OF A LAB ON A CHIP SYSTEM FOR THE DETECTION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS
Egan H. Doeven*, Richard Alexander, Yi Heng Nai, Stephen J. Haswell
Centre for Rural and Regional Futures, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science,
Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. * Corresponding
Author: egan.doeven@deakin.edu.au
Lab on a chip (LOAC) systems have the potential to revolutionise the point of need diagnostics industry by
providing faster, cheaper and more comprehensive analytical data to the user. However whilst many LOAC
systems with widespread commercial applicability have been proposed, very few have made it to market, often
due to devices relying on techniques or materials that prove difficult to manufacture on a large scale.
This research presents a concept LOAC system for the detection of avian influenza A viral RNA which has
been designed for manufacturability, whilst still providing quality data to the user. Injection moldable polymers
have been used to manufacture the chip substrate, with isothermal nucleic acid sequence based amplification
(NASBA) being used to amplify selected viral RNA. Detection of the amplified RNA is achieved using
electrochemiluminescence, which can be achieved without an external excitation source or optics as required
for fluorescence based detection techniques. Reagent and solution storage / chip filling are handled via a
combination of freeze drying (for reagents) and blister storage / sequenced bursting (solution storage and chip
filling). Sample transport within the chip is achieved through the use of magnetic particles with tailored surface
functionality and a system of moveable magnets, negating the requirement for pumps or complex solutionchip interfaces.
This presentation will outline the strategies used in designing this microfluidic device which combines the
inherent advantages of microfluidics with optimised manufacturability and optimal simplicity of operation. Data
from prototype devices will show the viability of the approach taken.

29.
SELECTIVE LATERAL TRANSPORT OF PARTICLES AND SOLUTION EXCHANGE IN VISCOELASTIC
FLUID
Dan Yuan1, Jun Zhang2, Sheng Yan3, Gangrou Peng4, Qianbin Zhao5, Gursel Alici6 and Weihua Li*7,
1

School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong,

NSW 2522, Australia.* Corresponding Author: weihuali@uow.edu.au
In this work a novel technique for selective lateral transport of micro-particles and solution exchange using
non-Newtonian viscoelastic fluid is proposed. Micro-particles suspended in a PEO (polyethylene oxide)
solution stream will migrate laterally to a DI (deionised) water stream, but transfer in the opposite direction
from a DI water stream to a PEO solution stream or from one DI water stream to another DI water stream could
not be achieved; this means that the lateral transportation of particles depends on the viscoelastic properties
of the two co-flowing fluids. This result inspired an investigation into the forces experienced by particles in
these co-flowing fluids and the mechanisms inherent in this selective transport phenomenon, as well as how
the flow rate, PEO concentration, channel length, and type of solution affects the migration of these microparticles. This technique of passive particle transfer can deliver a selective, rapid, high throughput (~10000/s)
particle transfer and solution exchange by simply adding harmless PEO molecules to the particle suspension,
without any external force field, in a simple straight channel. This selective transfer technique promotes
automated cell staining and washing in microfluidic platforms, and holds numerous applications for
biomedicine.

30. Sponsor Talk # 2

ANFF SOUTH AUSTRALIA: CHIPS AND INTERFACES FOR MICRO/NANOFLUIDICS
Craig Priest1, 2
1 South

Australian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, University of South Australia and
Flinders University, Australia
2 Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia
Corresponding Author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
The South Australian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-S) was established in 2007
under the Australian Governments National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). SAs
node is located at UniSAs Mawson Lakes Campus and Flinders Universitys Bedford Park Campus, and is
home to world-class clean room facilities and a suite of equipment related to interfacial coating, patterning,
and structuring. Technical staff work closely with research and industry users to design, fabricate,
package/interface, and prototype fluidic devices for diverse purposes, from water quality to
bioassay/separations to mineral processing. The ANFF-SA team are specialists in silica/borosilicate glass and
silicon microchips, prepared by plasma and wet etching processes. Polymer chips can also be prepared using
hot embossing, direct micro-machining, and moulding. Value-adding to your microchips by including
electrodes, sensors, and optical components is also possible, customised for your specific design.
(a)

(b)

(c)

Fig. 1 (a) Plasma-etched borosilicate glass (b) custom chip holders and fluid interfacing, and (c) chip with
embedded electrodes for on-chip electrochemistry.

31. Sponsor Talk # 3

THE QUEENSLAND MICROTECHNOLOGY FACILITY INNOVATION CENTRE AND CAPABILITIES
Alan Iacopi1and Nam-Trung Nguyen1
1QLD

Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan
QLD 4111, Australia
* Corresponding Author: a.iacopi@griffith.edu.au

Bridging the gap between university and industry, the Queensland Microfabrication Facility provides a
fabrication capability using standard industry silicon wafer processing techniques for R+D, prototyping and low
volume production.
The focus of the facility is on applied research into SiC technologies for both epitaxial grown SiC on Si and
SiC semiconductor devices fabricated on SiC wafers. Over the following decades, SiC will be increasing used
in the commercialization of next generation products. Some of the attributes of SiC and process capability will
be presented and how these can be translated into viable products capable of exploitation in Australia.
The facility, part of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, provides a process innovation centre for
Australia for High Value Manufacturing. The industrial partnerships that have been established enable us to
be one of the few centres in worldwide able to capitalise on SiC technology. We are the only facility that can
provide epitaxial SiC growth on Si for up to 300mm dia silicon wafers. The open innovation model enables
clients to develop products within the facility without capital expenditure. We provide expertise so our
customers can innovative, demonstrate processes and support product feasibility for commercialisation.

32. Keynote
ANDROID VOLTAMMETRY: LOW COST ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION FOR PAPER
MICROFLUIDIC SENSORS USING A MOBILE DEVICE
Conor F. Hogan,*1 Darrell Elton,2 Seng Loke,3 Kiran Bano1
1 La

Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry and Physics; 2 Dept. of Electronic
Engineering, 3 Computer Science & Computer Engineering, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Melbourne,
Australia. * Corresponding Author: c.hogan@latrobe.edu.au
The rapid expansion of mobile phones and other mobile technologies is set to transform the biosensing
landscape. In particular the widespread availability of smartphone technology and the capabilities they offer
in terms of computation, communication, networking, and imaging will allow a more extensive deployment of
lab-on-a-chip and related sensing technologies. Furthermore the combination of mobile technologies with lowcost sensing concepts such as paper microfluidics could make game-changing health and environmental
testing technologies available to many millions more people both in the developed and developing worlds.
Voltammetry is the cornerstone technique of electrochemical sensing, and almost all dynamic electrochemical
methods can be regarded as variations of the basic voltammetric method. We will show for the first time that
quantitative voltammetric analysis may be carried out using only the intrinsic hardware in a mobile phone or
tablet and a suitable software application, with no external device or instrument whatsoever. We call this new
approach Android voltammetry.

DAY 3, 23 March 2016, WEDNESDAY

Chair: Prof Leslie Y. Yeo, RMIT University
9.00 am

Dr Craig Priest, University of South Australia

Interfacial Effects on Fluids in Small Geometries

9.30 am

A/Prof Chamindie Punyadeera, Queensland University of Technology

Isolation, Culture and Characterization of Live Head and Neck Cancer Patient Derived Circulating
Tumour Cells

9.50 pm

Dr Richard Alexander, Deakin University

Design and Fabrication of Commercially Viable Microfluidic Devices

10.10 pm

Dr Tuncay Alan, Paul Scherrer Institut

Xray Compatible Microfluidics for In-Situ Crystallization Studies

10.25 am

MORNING TEA

Chair: Dr Craig Priest, University of South Australia

11.00 am

Prof Weihua Li, University of Wollongong

Dielectrophoretic Microfluidic Devices for Manipulation of Particles

11.30 am

Dr Marco Rasponi, Politecnico Di Milano

Cyclic Uniaxial Strain on 3D Microconstructs: A Beating Heart-on-a-Chip Platform for The Generation
of Functional Cardiac Microtissues

11.50 am

Dr Laura G. Carrascosa, University of Queensland

On-Chip Profiling of Clinically Relevant Exosomes Using a SPR Biosensor

12.10 pm

Dr Mazher I. Mohammed, Deakin University

Autonomous Microfluidics with Embedded Optics for Rapid Quantitative Environmental Analysis of
Nitrates

12.30 pm

LUNCH

Chair: Prof Weihua Li, University of Wollongong

1.15 pm

Dr Rosanne M Guijt, University of Tasmania

25 Year TAS

1.45 pm

Dr David W. Inglis, Macquarie University

Developments in Low Reynolds Number Passive Particle Separation

2.15 pm

Dr Khashayar Khoshmanesh, RMIT University

Liquid Metal Based Fluidic Actuators

2.35 pm

Dr Say Hwa Tan, Griffith University

Developing a Versatile Microfluidic Tool for High-Throughput Drug Screening

Chair: Dr Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky, Griffith University

2.55 pm

CLOSING PLENARY
Prof Leslie Y. Yeo, RMIT University
Microfluidic Nebulisation of Nanoaerosols and Nanoparticles for Inhaled Gene Delivery

3.35 pm

POSTER AWARDS

3.45 pm

CONFERENCE CLOSE

33. Keynote
INTERFACIAL EFFECTS ON FLUIDS IN SMALL GEOMETRIES
Craig Priest*1
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
* Corresponding Author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
It is well-known that the importance of interfacial phenomena is amplified in small geometries; however, the
thermodynamic models for partial wetting which rely on minimization of the global free energy of the
interfaces present tend to fail in real-world scenarios. So-called energy barriers, where a local surface
feature (bump, scratch, or patch) prevents a meniscus or three-phase contact line from advancing or receding,
i.e. pins it, are usually responsible. It follows that small geometries amplify the importance of pinning and
other non-ideal wetting phenomena, making understanding these effects vital in many small-scale applications,
including micro and nanofluidics. In this presentation, basic theory, along with an explanation of observed
departures, will be given. Then, selected application examples where understanding these effects is crucial
will be presented, including enhanced wetting hysteresis 1, wicking of liquid in microstructures2,3, stabilization
of co-flowing immiscible streams4, and spontaneous bubble release in microgravity5.
References
1. Forsberg, P. S. H.; Priest, C.; Brinkmann, M.; Sedev, R.; Ralston, J., Langmuir 2010, 26, 860-865.
2. Holzner, G.; Kriel, F. H.; Priest, C., Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87, 4757-4764.
3. Kriel, F. H.; Priest, C., Analytical Sciences 2016, 32 103-108.
4. Priest, C.; Hashmi, S. F.; Zhou, J.; Sedev, R.; Ralston, J., J. Flow Chem. 2013, 3, 76.
5. Wohlgenannt, U.; Chugh, D.; Kriel, F. H.; Nicolau, E.; Cabrera, C.; Semprebon, C.; Brinkmann, M.; Priest,
C., Minimizing Gas Phase Fouling Of Electrodes Using Capillarity In Surface Microstructures, in The 18th
International Conference of Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences: San Antonio, USA,
2014.

34. Invited
ISOLATION, CULTURE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIVE HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENT
DERIVED CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS
Arutha Kulasinghe1, Chris Perry2, Lidija Jovanovic3, Ian Vela3, Tony Blick1, Ken OByrne4, Erik Thompson1,
Colleen Nelson3, Chamindie Punyadeera1
1 The

School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University
of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
2Department of Otolaryngology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD,
Australia.
3Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre - Queensland, Institute of Health and
Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Translational
Research Institute Brisbane, Australia
4Translational Cell Imaging Queensland, Institute of Health and Biomedical
Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute Brisbane, Australia
Corresponding author: chamindie.punyadeera@qut.edu.au

Background: Metastasis is responsible for 88% of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patient deaths within 12
months of diagnosis. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) provide a window of insight into the metastatic process
and are present at low concentrations in the peripheral blood of patients. The isolation, ex-vivo culture and
characterization of CTCs may provide an opportunity to non-invasively monitor patient treatment and provide
personalized therapeutic strategies.
Methodology: Commercial technologies have been developed to facilitate the isolation of CTCs from whole
blood (CellSearch: FDA-approved, ScreenCell: microfiltration, RosetteSep: CD45 depletion). Our study
compared the performance of three CTC isolation technologies using paired blood from 65 patients with
advanced stage HNC but no radiological evidence of metastasis. Moreover, a Microfluidics Spiral-Chip has
been optimised to isolate and detect CTCs in bloods from HNC patients.
Results: Single or clustered CTCs that expressed (EGFR+CK-8,-18,-19+and CD45-) were detected in 9/36
(25%) samples using CellSearch; 13/22 (59%) samples using ScreenCell and 15/22 (68%) samples using
RosetteSep. In a proof-of-concept study, we established six short-term CTC cultures in 2D (MSK media) and
3D (Happy Cell) tumour spheroids from HNC patients.
Conclusions: This study will provide crucial insight into the clinical utility of CTCs in HNC. Future directions
include further characterization of these patient derived tumour cells and targeted drug sensitivity testing.
Real World Implications: This research project will provide a simple blood test allowing clinicians to
determine patients at-risk of developing metastasis, ex vivo culture and drug sensitivity testing before it is
radiologically detectable allowing for clinical interventions

35. Invited
DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF COMMERCIALLY VIABLE MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
Richard Alexander*, Egan H. Doeven, Yi Heng Nai and Stephen J. Haswell
Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia.
* Corresponding Author: richard.alexander@deakin.edu.au
Lab on a chip technology offers considerable potential in both monitoring and improving the health of
individuals, livestock and the environment. This impact is clearly reflected in the research literature which has
been growing over the last three decades around the topic of microfluidics and is set to pass 100,000 articles
later this year1. Despite this momentum, there are only a handful of devices available in the commercial arena 2.
This work aims to establish a commercially viable manufacturing and assembly processes for integrated,
portable, lab on a chip devices, which is both compatible with the needs of research whilst being relevant to a
wide range of diagnostic applications. For this to be realised issues associated with the translation of one off
prototypes to reproducible, manufactural products and the required compromises need to be identified.
Reducing the numerous failure modes during the chips manufacture (small geometry), assembly (alignment)
and operation (leaks/bubbles) is an easy way to improve accessibility to the commercial arena.
In this presentation common issues related to the assembly, storage of reagents, filing of the chips and
transport along the fluidic network will be addressed. Examples will be given on how microfluidic features,
each with their own challenges, can be designed and optimised for manufacturing by addressing factors such
as material selection which in turn can improve the chemical processing and vice versa.
References
1. ISI Web of Knowledge, http://apps.webofknowledge.com/
2. Chin, C. D.; Linder, V.; Sia, S. K., Lab Chip 2012, 12 (12), 2118

36.
XRAY COMPATIBLE MICROFLUIDICS FOR IN-SITU CRYSTALLIZATION STUDIES
Jason Brenker1, Katja Henzler2, Camelia Borca2, Thomas Huthwelker2, Tuncay Alan1*
1

Paul Scherrer Institut, Synchrotron Radiation and Nanotechnology Department, 5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland
2Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
* Corresponding Author: tuncay.alan@monash.edu
A series of Xray compatible, droplet based, microfluidic systems (Fig. 1a) were developed for in-situ analysis
of bio/molecular samples at Synchrotron Xray facilities. The devices consist of PDMS microfluidic channels
bonded to Si based chips containing specially fabricated Xray transparent windows (free standing 100-nmthick SiN membranes shown in Fig. 1b). The ultrathin windows allow the incident Xrays to penetrate the
channel and interact with the samples contained in aqueous droplets which are carried in an immiscible oil
phase. Similarly, when employed in Xray fluorescence absorption spectroscopy (XAS) mode the same
windows allow the fluorescent photons to be transmitted back to a silicon drift detector. By analysis of all
photons originating from the droplets the fluorescence spectrum of the droplet contents can be derived (Fig.
1c). We will present results from proof of concept experiments used to obtain spectroscopy of wellcharacterised CaCl2 solutions, as well as ongoing work using mixed droplets for crystallization studies.

Figure 1. a) photograph of a typical device b) water in oil droplets through a T-junction (top) and device cross
section showing incident Xrays (bottom) c) a time resolved analysis resulting in the fluorescence
spectroscopy of the studied CaCl2 solution.

37. Keynote
DIELECTROPHORETIC MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR MANIPULATION OF PARTICLES
Weihua Li*
School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
2522, Australia.* Corresponding Author: weihuali@uow.edu.au
The development of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) over the past decade, has attracted more and more interest, and
aims to achieve the miniaturisation, integration, automation, and parallelisation of biological and chemical
assays. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a phenomenon that occurs due to a translational force exerted on a
dielectric particle in a non-uniform electric field. It has proven to be a versatile mechanism for manipulating
various micro/nano scale bio-particles. The seminar will be focusing on the development of novel microfluidic
devices for manipulation of micron particles using dielectrophoresis. The following research topics will be
presented: (a) Development of simple and cost-effective micro-fabrication approaches;1 (b) development of
novel DEP devices with 3D microelectrodes;2 (c) development of insulator-based DEP microdevices;3 and (d)
development of DEP-assisted hydrophoretic microdevices.4 The application of microdevices for manipulation
of biological particles will be demonstrated.
References
1. Li, M., et al. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. 2012, 12, 751-760.
2. Li, S. B., et al. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. 2013, 13, 499-508.
3. Li, M., et al. Electrophoresis. 2013, 34, 952-960.
4. Yan, S., et al. Lab on a Chip. 2014, 14, 2993-3003.

38. Invited
CYCLIC UNIAXIAL STRAIN ON 3D MICROCONSTRUCTS: A BEATING HEART-ON-A-CHIP PLATFORM
FOR THE GENERATION OF FUNCTIONAL CARDIAC MICROTISSUES
Anna Marsano1, Chiara Conficconi1,2, Marta Lemme1,2, Paola Occhetta2, Emanuele Gaudiello1, Emiliano
Votta2, Giulia Cerino1, Alberto Redaelli2 and Marco Rasponi*2
1Departments

of Surgery and Biomedicine, University Basel, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20,
4031 Basel, Switzerland.
2Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci
32, Building #21, 20133 Milano, Italy.* Corresponding Author: marco.rasponi@polimi.it
Cardiac microscale in vitro models have been developed to recapitulate key physical and biological cues
typical of the native myocardium. Mechanical stimulation was particularly investigated, often limited to twodimensional settings.1,2 Indeed, the application of controlled physiological uniaxial cyclic strains on a defined
three-dimension cellular environment was so far limited to macroscale models. We developed a heart-on-achip platform, which recapitulates the mechanical environment experienced in the native myocardium. 3 The
device includes an array of hanging posts to confine cell-laden gels, and a pneumatic actuation system to
induce homogeneous uniaxial cyclic strains to the 3D cell constructs during culture. The device was used to
generate mature and highly functional micro-engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs), from both neonatal rat and
human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM), strongly suggesting the robustness
of our engineered cardiac micro-niche. Our results demonstrated that the cyclic strain was effectively highly
uniaxial and uniformly transferred to cells in culture. As compared to control, stimulated ECTs showed
superior cardiac differentiation, as well as electrical and mechanical coupling, owing to a remarkable increase
in junction complexes. Mechanical stimulation also promoted early spontaneous synchronous beating and
better contractile capability in response to electric pacing. Pacing analyses of hiPSC-CM constructs upon
controlled administration of isoprenaline showed further promising applications of our platform in drug
discovery, delivery and toxicology fields. The proposed heart-on-a-chip device represents a relevant step
forward in the field, providing a standard functional three-dimensional cardiac model to possibly predict signs
of hypertrophic changes in cardiac phenotype by mechanical and biochemical co-stimulation.
References
1. Pavesi, A.; Adriani, G.; Rasponi, M.; Zervantonakis, I.K.; Fiore, G.B.; Kamm, R. D. Sci. Rep. 2015, 5, 11800.
2. Ugolini, G.S.; Rasponi, M.; Pavesi, A.; Santoro, R.; Kamm, R.; Fiore, G.B.; Pesce M.; Soncini, M.
Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015.
3. Marsano, A.; Conficconi, C.; Lemme, M.; Occhetta, P.; Gaudiello, E.; Votta, E.; Cerino, G.; Redaelli, A.;
Rasponi, M. Lab Chip. 2015.

39. Invited
ON-CHIP PROFILING OF CLINICALLY RELEVANT EXOSOMES USING A SPR BIOSENSOR
Laura G. Carrascosa*,1, Abu Ali Ibn Sina1, Ramanathan Vaidyanathan1, Shuvashis Dey1, Muhammad J. A.
Shiddiky1,* and Matt Trau1,2,*
1 Centre

for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
Corner College and Cooper Roads (Bldg 75), The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
2School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072,
Australia. * Corresponding Author: lgcarrascosa@uq.edu.au, m.shiddiky@griffith.edu.au, m.trau@uq.edu.au
Tumor-derived exosomes possess significant clinical relevance due to their unique composition of genetic and
protein material that is representative of the parent tumor. Specific isolation as well as identification of
proportions of these clinically relevant exosomes (CREs) from biological samples could help to better
understand their clinical significance as cancer biomarkers. Herein, we present a simple approach for the
quantification of the proportion of CREs within the bulk exosome population isolated from patient serum. This
proportion of CREs can potentially inform on the disease stage and enable non-invasive monitoring of interindividual variations in tumor-receptor expression levels. Our approach utilises a Surface Plasmon Resonance
(SPR) platform to quantify the proportion of CREs in a two-step strategy that involves (i) initial isolation of bulk
exosome population using tetraspanin biomarkers (e.g., CD9), and (ii) subsequent detection of CREs within
the captured bulk exosomes using tumor-specific markers (e.g., human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
(HER2)). We demonstrate the isolation of bulk exosome population and detection of as low as 10% HER2(+)
exosomes from samples containing designated proportions of HER2(+) BT474 and HER2(-) MDA-MB-231 cell
derived exosomes. We also demonstrate the successful isolation of exosomes from three breast cancer patient
samples and identified that approximately 14-35% of their bulk population express HER2.

40.
AUTONOMOUS MICROFLUIDICS WITH EMBEDDED OPTICS FOR RAPID QUANTITATIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF NITRATES
Mazher I. Mohammed*1, Angus Fitzpatrick1, Leanne Farago1, Erol Harvey2, Stephen J. Haswell3, Richard
Alexander3, Ian Gibson1
1

Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia, School of Engineering.

1 Dalmore Drive, Scoresby, Melbourne, Victoria, 3179, Australia
3Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia, CeRRF
* Corresponding Author: mazher.mohammed@deakin.edu.au
2MiniFAB,

Detection of environmental effluents and improved biosecurity are pressing issues for the Australian
agricultural industry [1]. The ability to perform real-time in-field testing and absolute quantification, of key
targets of interest has yet to be realised, posing severe limitations on the diagnostics capabilities of
environmental protection agencies, whilst also presenting a huge market opportunity.
Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices offer an unsurpassed ability by which to perform a diverse range of
chemical and biological processes, in a neatly packaged, portable and fully integrated chip-based device
format [2]. This work presents the development a polymeric microfluidic device platform, fabricated through
the use of laser engraving and micro-machining rapid prototyping techniques. The platform is capable of
performing liquid phase chemical reactions to provide quantitative measurement of various environmental
targets, such as nitrates, nitrites and phosphates. The device realises complete control of all fluid handling
stages using passive capillary microfluidics, providing automated sample introduction, continuous flow and
containment of waste reaction products. In addition to fluid handling, various approaches for integrated 2D and
3D lens structures have been examined to provide a means of quantitative absorption measurements with a
colour change end-point reaction. Preliminary results will be presented for the detection of serial concentrations
of nitrite samples, where we have achieved comparable levels of sensitivity to more bulky, commercial devices.
The automation and portable nature of the device provides a novel solution for in-field testing of environmental
samples and could find potential uses in several areas of land management and environmental monitoring.
References
1. Simpson, M. and V. Srinivasan, Australia Biosecurity Future: Preparing for future biological challenges.
2014.
2. Mohammed, M.I., S. Haswell, and I. Gibson, Procedia Technology, 2015. 20: p. 54-59.

41. Keynote
25 YEAR TAS
Rosanne M Guijt
School of Medicine and ACROSS, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 26, Hobart TAS 7001 Australia
* Corresponding Author: Rosanne.Guijt@utas.edu.au
The concept of miniaturised total analysis systems (TAS) is based on the integration of the range of analytical
processes and their associated system components in a miniaturised platform capable of monitoring chemical
changes quickly, efficiently, on-site and in an automated fashion. The analytical processes typically take place
inside microfabricated devices, where microfluidic channels and chambers accommodate reactions and
separations. The TAS concept has broadened from its initial analytical focus to Lab on a Chip systems used
across the life sciences for activities ranging from cell biology to point of care diagnostics and in-field forensic
investigations. During this presentation, I will return to the original definition of the TAS and provide an
overview of progress made in 25 years to realise TASs.

42. Keynote
DEVELOPMENTS IN LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER PASSIVE PARTICLE SEPARATION
David W. Inglis* and Shilun Feng
Department of Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW 2109
*Corresponding Author: david.inglis@mq.edu.au

This talk will cover recent work where micro-fabrication has been used to control fluid physics for biomedical
applications, focussing on a long standing interest in passive particle separations. In part due to commercial
interest, DLD work has continued and this talk will cover two recent refinements. Inextricably coupled with
particle separation is particle concentration. The first development extends earlier work 1 to maximise output
particle concentration. Published examples of DLD work have often hidden complications. One of those
complications is anisotropic permeability. Anisotropic permeability causes local changes to the average flow
direction, broadening the critical size parameter. The second DLD topic that will be covered deals with sources
of this anisotropy and ways to reduce its negative affects. Low Re passive particle separations also include
branch flow filtration. The talk also will highlight a recent device that uses branch flow filtration and is much
less likely to clog than DLD devices.2

Figure 1: Left: Post modification to maximise particle concentration in DLD.

Centre: Anisotropy in DLD arrays, Right: Machine designed branch flow filtration
device.
References
1. Inglis, D.W.; Applied Physics Letters 2009, 94, 013510..
2. Inglis, D.W., Herman, N.; Lab on a Chip 2013, 13, 1724-1731.

43. Invited
LIQUID METAL BASED FLUIDIC ACTUATORS
Shi-Yang Tang 1, Jiu Yang Zhu 1, Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh 1, Arnan Mitchell 1, and Khashayar
Khoshmanesh * 1
1School of

Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia* Corresponding Author:

khashayar.khoshmanesh@rmit.edu.au
Gallium based liquid metal alloys such as eGaIn (75% gallium, 25% indium) and Galinstan (68.5% gallium,
21.5% indium, 10% tin) inherit the properties of both liquids and metals 1. These alloys have high electrical
and thermal conductivities, and are highly deformable at room temperature. Unlike mercury, these alloys are
not toxic and have an extremely low vapour pressure, and thus can be safely used in laboratories. Due to
these properties, there has been an increasing interest in using such liquid metals for developing various microelectro-mechanical and microfluidic systems.
A variety of mechanisms, including electro-chemical, electro-magnetic, photo-chemical, and nanoparticle fuels
have been demonstrated for actuation of liquid metal droplets 2. In particular, the electro-chemical actuation of
droplets has been proven as a versatile mechanism for unbalancing the interfacial tension between the liquid
metal and the surrounding liquid, and inducing Marangoni flow over the surface of droplet.
Different flow patterns can be induced depending on the magnitude and frequency of the applied electrical
signal. For example, applying a DC signal can lead to a continuous flow of liquid through the fluidic system,
creating a liquid metal enabled pump 3. Alternatively, applying a sinusoidal AC signal can lead to inducing
harmonic vortices within the flow, creating a liquid metal enabled shaker 4. Such fluidic actuators offer great
opportunities for advancing the field of microfluidics.
References
1. Dickey, M. D. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2014, 6, 18369-18379.
2. Gol, B.; Tovar-Lopez, F. J.; Kurdzinski, M. E.; Tang, S-Y.; Petersen, P.; Mitchell, A.; Khoshmanesh K. Lab
Chip 2015, 15, 2476-2485.
3. Tang, S-Y.; Khoshmanesh, K.; Sivan, V.; Petersen, P.; OMullane, A.; Abbott, D.; Mitchell, A.; Kanlantarzadeh K. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2014, 111, 3304-3309.
4. Tang, SY.; Sivan, V.; Petersen, P.; Zhang, W.; Morrison, P. D.; Kalantarzadeh, K.; Mitchell, A.;
Khoshmanesh, K. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2014, 24, 5851-5858.

44. Invited
DEVELOPING A VERSATILE MICROFLUIDIC TOOL FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT DRUG SCREENING
Say Hwa Tan1
1

Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, N74, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels
Road, QLD 4111, Australia. * E-mail: Sayhwa.tan@griffith.edu.au
Drug screening requires the precise addition and mixing of different natural compound candidates with a target
native protein to test their effectiveness and suitability. However, controllable injection of small amount of
reagent (picolitre or less) and efficient micro-mixing is not possible with the current technology. In this talk, I
will describe my preliminary works on developing a versatile droplet generator, reagent injection and micromixing system on a single lab-on-a-chip using a droplet-based microfluidic system. The systems harnesses
different electrohydrodynamic instabilities phenomenon in microfluidics. First, I will show that droplet
generation volume can be precisely controlled using an AC electric field. The precise control allows an acoustic
interpretation of the droplet using a microfluidic Jukebox. Second, using a similar setup, I demonstrate that a
controlled volume of reagents can be injected by using 2 pairs of electrodes. The droplet volume is varied by
changing the applied voltage to the electrodes. Third, I will also demonstrate here an electrically mediated
droplet deformation mechanism using an AC electric field. The results can be used to actively induced micromixing in droplets. Lastly, preliminary screening results using a conventional mass spectrometry which is
integrated with a microfluidic device is illustrated.
References
1. S. H. Tan, B. Semin, and J.-C. Baret, Lab on a Chip, vol. 14, pp. 1099-1106, 2014.
2. S. H. Tan, F. Maes, B. Semin, J. Vrignon, and J.-C. Baret, Sci. Rep., vol. 4, 2014.

45. Closing Plenary

MICROFLUIDIC NEBULISATION OF NANOAEROSOLS AND NANOPARTICLES FOR INHALED GENE
DELIVERY
Leslie Y. Yeo*1
1Micro/Nanophysics

Research Laboratory, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia

* Corresponding Author: leslie.yeo@rmit.edu.au
We demonstrate the use of an acoustic microfluidic nebulisation platform for non-viral gene delivery. High
levels of gene expression are observed in the Western blot analysis of COS-7 cells transfected with postnebulised naked plasmid DNA encoded with an influenza A virus surface antigen. This is subsequently verified
through systematic and mucosal antibody responses detected via a haemagglutinin inhibition assay in the sera
of female Sprague-Dawley rats delivered via intratracheal instillation of the condensed aerosols and in that of
female Merino-cross ewe lambs delivered through direct inhalation via a mechanical ventilator. Further, we
demonstrate that the technology is a very rapid, efficient and straightforward means for synthesising 100 nm
dimension biodegradable polymeric particles within which therapeutic molecules such as nucleic acids,
proteins and peptides can be encapsulated. Finally, the ability to synthesise multiple polyelectrolyte coatings
encapsulating these biomolecules is shown using sequential nebulisationsuspension steps as a fast and
efficient alternative to conventional layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte assembly. These multilayer nanocapsules
offer the possibility for tuning the drug release profile for controlled delivery over a prolonged period or for
targeting the delivery to a specific location within the body. The low costs, control offered over the
aerosol/particle size, possibility for flexible and multilayer encapsulation, low power requirement, high delivery
efficiency, and the miniaturisation of the system altogether suggest that the SAW nebulisation platform
represents an attractive alternative to current nebulisers and inhalers, which we envisage could constitute the
next-generation of devices that will revolutionise inhaled drug and gene delivery for needle-free vaccination or
for the treatment of various lung diseases in the near future.

LIST OF THE POSTERS

(Session: 4.20 5.20 pm, Tuesday)

P1
AMPLIFICATION-FREE DETECITON OF GENE FUSIONS IN PROSTATE CANCER URINARY SAMPLES
USING MRNA-GOLD AFFINITY INTERACTION
Kevin M. Koo1, Laura G. Carrascosa, Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky*1, and Matt Trau*1,2
1

Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
2School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
Present address: School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road,
Nathan QLD 4111, Australia.* Corresponding Author: m.shiddiky@griffith.edu.au ; m.trau@uq.edu.au
A crucial issue in present-day prostate cancer (PCa) detection is the lack of specific biomarkers for accurately
distinguishing between benign and malignant cancer forms. This is causing high degree of overdiagnosis and
overtreatment of otherwise clinically insignificant cases. As around half of all malignant PCa cases display a
gene fusion mutation between the TMPRSS2 promoter sequence and the ERG coding sequence
(TMPRSS2:ERG) detectable in urine; non-invasive screening of TMPRSS2:ERG mRNA in patient urine
samples could improve specificity of current PCa diagnosis. However, current gene fusion detection
methodologies are largely dependent on RNA enzymatic amplification, which requires extensive sample
manipulation, costly labels for detection, and it is prone to bias/artifacts. Herein we introduce the first successful
amplification-free electrochemical assay for direct detection of TMPRSS2:ERG mRNA in PCa urinary samples
by selectively isolating and adsorbing TMPRSS2:ERG mRNA onto bare gold electrodes without requiring any
surface modification. We demonstrated excellent limit-of-detection (10 cells) and specificity using PCa cell line
models; and showcased clinical utility by accurately detecting TMPRSS2:ERG in a collection of 12 urinary
samples obtained from PCa patients. Furthermore, these results were validated with current gold standard
reverse transcription (RT)-PCR approach with 100% concordance.

P2
POLY(A) EXTENSIONS OF miRNAS FOR AMPLIFICATION-FREE ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION
ON SCREEN-PRINTED GOLD ELECTRODES
Kevin M. Koo1, Laura G. Carrascosa, Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky*1, and Matt Trau*1,2
1

Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
2School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
Present address: School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road,
Nathan QLD 4111, Australia.* Corresponding Author: m.shiddiky@griffith.edu.au ; m.trau@uq.edu.au

Current amplification-based microRNA (miRNA) detection approaches are limited by the small sizes of
miRNAs as well as amplification bias/artifacts. Herein, we report on an amplification-free miRNA assay based
on elevated affinity interaction between poly-adenylated miRNA and bare gold electrode. The poly(A)
extension on 3 ends of magnetically-isolated miRNA targets facilitated high adsorption efficiency onto gold
electrode surfaces for electrochemical detection without any cumbersome electrode surface functionalization
procedures. The assay showed excellent detection sensitivity (10 fM) and specificity, and was demonstrated
for quantitative miR-107 detection in human cancer cell lines and clinical urine samples. We believe our assay
could be useful as an amplification-free alternative for miRNA detection.

P3
IMMOBILISING CELLS ON MICROCHANNEL WALLS FOR NANOPARTICLE TOXICITY SCREENING
Scott McCormick1, Ziqiu Tong1, Angela Ivask1, Nicolas H. Voelcker1, Enzo Lombi1 and Craig Priest*1
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes
Boulevard, Mawson Lakes SA 5095, Australia
* Corresponding Author: Craig.Priest@unisa.edu.au
The ever-increasing use of nanomaterials in new technologies and materials poses a safety concern for health
and environment regulators 1. Nanoparticles are used for medicinal 2 3, preservative 1, and personal care 4
applications and, in some cases, could induce toxic effects in human cells 5, such as inflammation and necrosis
6 7
, genetic damage, and potentially leading to cancerous growths 8. The large combinatorial space of
nanoparticle characteristics (size, shape, material) and cell types (vascular, organ, skeletomuscular) demands
high-throughput screening of toxicity, which is the focus here. This work aims to produce a microfluidic lab-ona-chip environment where live human cells can be bound to the surface and exposed to streams of different
types of nanoparticles under flow. To bind the cells, specific antibody/antigen binding or non-specific binding
to extracellular matrix proteins is used, and the parameters for attachment of cells under flow will be
investigated. The surface modification of the microchannel wall (i.e. on a glass slide bound to a
polydimethylsiloxane channel) is investigated and compared with cell binding efficiency. Subsequently, one or
more nanoparticle suspensions can be introduced to the bound cells. Creating a matrix of cells and
nanoparticles offers a microarray for in-flow screening. Ultimately, these attached cells could then be labelled
with fluorescent live-dead cell staining dyes through the microfluidic channels, and finally produce an array of
fluorescence images that correlate to the overall cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles at each point.
References
(1) Lohse, S., http://sustainable-nano.com/2013/03/25/nanoparticles-are-all-around-us/ (accessed
August 11, 2015).
(2) Steinbach,
D.
C.
http://www.nanopartikel.info/en/nanoinfo/materials/silicon-dioxide/overview
(accessed April 28, 2015).
(3) Chiappini, C.; Almeida, C. 8 Silicon nanoneedles for drug delivery. In Semiconducting Silicon
Nanowires for Biomedical Applications; Imperial College Press: London, UK, 2014; pp 144-167.
(4) Kessler, R. Environmental Health Perspectives 2011, 119 (3), A120-A125.
(5) Grove, J.; Marsh, M. Journal of Cell Biology 2011, 195 (7), 1071-1082
(6) Betteridge, D. J. Metabolism 2000, 49 (2 Suppl 1), 3-8.
(7) Sies, H. Oxidative Stress; Elsevier, 2013.
(8) Fischer, H. C.; Chan, W. C. W. Current Opinion In Biotechnology 2007, 18, 565571.

P4
MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED FLOATING LIQUID MARBLE AS A NEW DIGITAL MICROFLUIDICS
PLATFORM
Mei Kum Khaw, Chin Hong Ooi, R. K. Vadivelu, Nam-Trung Nguyen*
Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111 Queensland,
Australia.* Corresponding Author: nam-trung.nguyen@griffith.edu.au
A liquid marble is an aqueous solution coated with hydrophobic powder. 1 On a liquid surface, the liquid marble
floats on it with minimal friction.2 The surrounding liquid increases the humidity and reduces the evaporation
of the liquid marblemaking them suitable for cell culture platform as a liquid marble can maintain its volume for
several days. Recently, we used a floating liquid marble as a bioreactor for growing three-dimensional cell
culture.3 The floating liquid marble in this work is stationary. Mixing inside the liquid marble is crucial for the
effectiveness of the bioreactor. Moving the marble around would induce internal flow and mixing. We studied
the use of magnetic actuation on a floating liquid marble filled with a minute amount of magnetic particles.
Manipulation of liquid marble through magnetic force is potentially useful for digital microfluidics. We vary the
magnetic force by varying the flux density, B and the flux density gradient, dB/dx. The product of these two
parameters decreases with increasing distance of the liquid marble from the permanent magnet. The magnetic
force increases with the volume, V, of the magnetic particles. To vary the frictional force, the speed, v, of the
permanent magnet is varied. The higher the speed would result in a larger frictional force. As a result, we can
determine the suitable operating conditions for magnetic actuation of floating liquid marbles.
References
1. P. Aussillous and D. Qur, Nature, vol. 411, pp. 924-927, 2001.
2. E. Bormashenko, Y. Bormashenko, A. Musin, and Z. Barkay, ChemPhysChem, vol. 10, pp. 654-656, 2009.
3. R. K. Vadivelu, C. H. Ooi, R.-Q. Yao, J. T. Velasquez, E. Pastrana, J. Diaz-Nido, et al., Scientific reports,
vol. 5, 2015.

P5
CELL STRETCHING DEVICE FOR ASSESSING BEHAVIOUR OF OLFACTORY ENSHEATHING CELLS
IN SPINAL CORD INJURY REPAIR
Kamble Harshad,1 Myeongjun Jun, 2 Sungsu Park, 2 James St John,3 Matthew Barton,4 Nam-Trung Nguyen1
1Queensland

Micro- and Nanotechnology Center, Griffith University, Australia.

of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Korea.
3Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Australia.
4 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Australia.
* Corresponding Authors: nam-trung.nguyen@griffith.edu.au, nanopark@skku.edu
2School

External mechanical strain applied on cells leads to diverse cellular activities and results in physiological
changes. This phenomenon is known as mechanobiology. We will address the design, simulation and
characterisation of a cell-stretching device based on the single side uniaxial stretching approach. A custom
made PDMS device is fabricated incorporates a permanent disc magnet embedded into the device wall and
200um thick deformable PDMS membrane bonded with the bottom part of the device. Stretching is automated
using, programmable DC power supply controlled electromagnet, which generates controlled magnetic field
for actuation. Custom made mounting platform holds device and electromagnet such that embedded disc
magnet and electromagnet are in axial position. Mechanical properties of the device are characterised by FEA
simulation in COMSOL. Magnetic field of the permanent magnet and electromagnet is characterised with
respect to distance and voltage respectively using gauss meter. MATLAB based image analysis program is
developed to characterised the strain pattern over the membrane due to stretching. Biocompatibility of the
device is established by seeding the device at a density of 50x103cells/500ul and confluency rate was tracked
over the period of 24hr. Primary experimental results show growing rate of cells is directionally proportional to
the strain experienced by the cell. In future with further optimisation of the design and control of the device,
active manipulation of the cell growth and direction might be possible which will have vast applications in the
field of biology.

P6
FLOW-ETCHING OF GOLD IN LAMINAR FLOW OF AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE IN A HIGH-ASPECT
RATIO MICROCHANNEL
Svetlana Kotova,1 Bart Follink,2 Lorena Del Castillo,1 and Craig Priest*1
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, 5095, Australia
of Chemistry, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia
* Corresponding Author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
2School

Dissolution of interfacial materials in spatially confined flow is an important physicochemical process. Here,
we present a study of gold etching, where the gold layer is removed from a microchannel wall within a high
aspect ratio channel (8 m x 4 mm cross-section; 1:500). The etchant is an aqueous solution of sodium
thiosulfate, ammonium hydroxide, and copper sulfate. Optical transmission of the gold layer was used for
quantitative, in situ, and real-time measurement of the layer thickness and its spatial uniformity along and
across the channel. The onset of etching is not immediate, indicating that a passivation layer exists (even on
bare gold layers, where etching was delayed by approx. 2 min). Pre-treatment of the gold surface with an
incomplete alkane thiol self-assembled monolayer (11-mercapto-1-undecanol) led to a later onset of etching
and slower etching rate (5.5 nm/min) compared with that on bare gold (6.2 nm/min). Flow profiles are reflected
in the observed etch profiles. Upstream and downstream differences in etch rate are magnified for intermediate
copper sulfate concentrations.

P7
MICROFLUIDIC EXTRACTION OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS FROM A MINERAL LEACH SOLUTION
Elisabeth Kolar1, Frederik H. Kriel1, Rik P. R. Catthoor1, Rossen Sedev1, Scott Middlemas2, Gareth Hatch3,
and Craig Priest*1
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD 20783, United States
3Technology Metals Research, LLC, 180 S. Western Ave 150, Carpentersville, IL 60110, United States
* Corresponding Author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
2Army

Rare earth metals (REEs) find applications in many advanced technologies, including catalysts, energy storage
and harvesting, lasers, ceramics, and magnets. They are abundant in the Earths crust but their separation
and purification using conventional bulk solvent extraction (bulkSX) is challenging, requiring hundreds of
extraction, scrubbing, and stripping stages. Microfluidic solvent extraction (microSX) has been discussed as
an alternative approach to hydrometallurgy (e.g., for Ag1, Cu2,3, Pt4,5, Pd5 and various lanthanides6,7,8) which
may improve the efficiency and selectivity of extraction. Here, the extraction rates and selectivity for HREEs,
i.e. from Gd to Lu and Y, from a mineral leach solution were studied with a stream based microfluidic device
and the results were compared to the conventional bulk method. The chosen extractant was Cyanex 572.
The HREEs were successfully separated from the LREEs, i.e. La to Sm, after an adjustment of the leach
solution to a pH of 0.7. The microSX extraction rates for HREEs were approximately double the rates in bulkSX,
except for Yb and Lu which were three times faster in microSX. The faster extraction rates were mainly
attributed to the higher surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) of the microchannels.
References
1. Nagai, H. et al. J. Appl. Phys. 105, 102015 (2009).
2. Priest, C. et al. Chem. Eng. Technol. 35, 13121319 (2012).
3. Priest, C. et al. Int. J. Miner. Process. 98, 168173 (2011).
4. Kriel, F. H. et al. Chem. Eng. Sci. 138, 827833 (2015).
5. Yin, C-Y. et al. Miner. Eng. 45, 1821 (2013).
6. Yin, S. et al. Chem. Eng. Process. Process Intensif. 91, 16 (2015).
7. Kubota, F. et al. Solvent Extr. Res. and Dev. 10, 93-102 (2003)
8. Nichols, K. P. et al. J. of the Amer. Chem. Soc. 133, 1572115729 (2011).

P8
IMPROVED FUNCTIONALITY AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL PROFILING OF SOLVENT EXPOSED
CLOSED POLYMERIC MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS
Kim Quayle1, Egan H. Doeven1, Richard Alexander1, Mazher I. Mohammed2, Paul S. Francis3, Matthew J.
Baker4, Xavier A. Conlan3 and Stephen J. Haswell1
1Deakin

University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia, CeRRF

University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia, School of Engineering
3Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia, CCB
4West CHEM, Technology and Innovation Centre, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of
Strathclyde, 99 George Street, G1 1RD, UK
*Corresponding Author: kquayle@deakin.edu.au
2Deakin

Microfluidic devices consist of networks of micro channels that are produced in a solid substrate such as
polymers, glass and elastomers, using relatively complex fabrication methods. [1] Techniques for rapid
prototyping such as laser ablation, micro milling and injection moulding have all been reported as potential
fabrication routes to commercialized microfluidic production due to significant reductions in turnaround times
and readily automated batch processing.[2] Solutes used within microfluidic devices are moved through
dimensionally constrained channel geometries where they are subject to physical and chemical surface
effects.[3] Accordingly, residual surface defects introduced throughout the fabrication process can have
adverse effects upon mixing and transport of solutes which cannot be accurately accounted for by
computational simulation. These limitations can be exaggerated by processes such as the chaotic evaporation
and sublimation caused by laser ablation, making it an unsuitable fabrication method for microfluidic devices
that require, for example, the transport of magnetic particles.[4]
This research is focussed on the movement of magnetic particles in micro channels fabricated using a range
of methods based on laser ablation, micro milling and injection moulding, coupled with the optimized removal
of surface defects by solvent exposure. Upon the closure of the microfluidic systems, three-dimensional
profiles have been generated using measurements of dye absorbance and optical microscopy to map the
average surface roughness produced by each fabrication technique. In addition, magnetic particle movement
throughout the micro channels was used to evaluate the effects of surface roughness, identified by the
absorption measurements taken from a photodiode mounted within a specifically engineered dark box,
fabricated using 3D printing.
References
1. S. Ren et al., Accounts of chemical research, 2013, Vol 46 (11), pp 2396406
2. J. Steigert et al., J Micromech Microeng, 2007, Vol 17, pp 33341
3. G. M. Whitesides, Physics Today, 2001, pp 42-8
4. H. Klank et al., Lab Chip, 2002, Vol 2, pp 242-6

P9
FABRICATION OF COMPLEX MICRONEEDLE ARRAYS BY 3D LASER LITHOGRAPHY AND SOFT
EMBOSSING
Zahra. Faraji Rad1, 2*, Graham. J. Davies1, Lynne Bilston1, Carl Anthony2, Philip. D. Prewett2, Robert. E.
Nordon1
1Graduate

School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales,

Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham,
Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.* Corresponding Author: z.farajirad@unsw.edu.au
Microneedle patch arrays address the clinical need for unskilled, painless collection of blood or transcutaneous
delivery of biopharmaceuticals. In addition to skin penetration microneedles require microfluidic channels to
transport fluids across the skin. Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) has been used to fabricate very sharp
micro-projections, however DRIE is not practical for fabrication of microneedles with micro-channels long
enough to penetrate capillaries below the surface of skin (>650 m). Our aims are to a) manufacture
microneedle patch arrays by 3D laser lithography and b) to develop a cost-effective replication process using
medical grade thermoplastics.
Nanoscribe 3D laser lithography (Nanoscribe GmbH, Germany) 1 and soft embossing 2 were utilised to
manufacture a great variety of out-of-plane open channel microneedle geometries with submicron fidelity for
the first time (Australian Provisional Patent No 2014903523). Microneedle length ranges from 650-1000 m
were connected to a microfluidic network for analyte analysis or drug delivery. The microneedle patch was
passively filled by capillary action.
The mechanical behaviour of thermoplastic microneedles were analysed by Finite Element Analysis (FEA),
mechanical testing, and skin penetration (drug delivery). It was concluded that polymeric microneedles
fabricated from thermoplastics have the mechanical strength to penetrate biological tissues without failure.
Capillary driven filling of microneedles with blood was modelled by two phase flow (COMSOL). The rate of
filling depended on the contact angle (<90), the viscosity of the fluid, and the capillary radius. The model was
verified by time lapse imaging. It takes around 30 ms for a 700 m long microneedle to fill passively by capillary
action. The opportunities that this fabrication approach may have for high volume manufacture of disposable
drug delivery and/or point-of-care devices will be discussed.

References
1. Nanoscribe. http://www.nanoscribe.de/en/ (Accessed 20 May 2014).
2. Goral, V.N, Hsieh, Y.C. Petzold, O.N. Faris, R.A. Yuen, P.K. J. Micromech Microeng. 2011, 21, 017002.

P10
RAPID AND EFFICIENT MICROFLUIDIC MIXING USING A VIBRATING MEMBRANE
Hoang Van Phan,a M. Bulut Cokun,a Muhsincan een,a Gregory Pandraud,b Adrian
Neilda and Tuncay Alan*a
aMechanical

and Aerospace Engineering Department, Monash University

Clayton VIC 3800 Australia
b Else Kooi Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CT Delft, The Netherlands
* Corresponding Author: tuncay.alan@monash.edu
This study presents a novel acoustic mixer comprising of a microfabricated silicon nitride membrane with a
through etched hole, leading to extremely fast and homogeneous mixing 1. When the membrane is immersed
in a fluid medium and actuated at its resonant frequency, a strong streaming field resulting in vortices
centred at the discontinuity is generated. We hypothesise that the hole introduces a discontinuity to the
boundary conditions of the membrane, leading to strong streaming vortices. We investigate the mixing
performance by varying the flow rates for various devices containing circular, square and rectangular shaped
holes of different dimensions. We demonstrate rapid mixing within 3 ms mixing time (90% mixing efficiency
at 60 l min1 total flow rate) is possible with the current designs.

Fig. 1 Schematic showing the working of the device. Insert: experimental snapshot showing mixing of two
solutions.
Reference
1. H V Phan et al, Lab Chip, 2015,15, 4206-4216

P11
THIN, FLEXIBLE POLYMER-BASED HEATPIPES FOR FLEXIBLE ELECTRONICS
Nam Cao Hoai Le*, Glenn Bradbury, Yanping Du and Yonggang Zhu
Microfluidics Laboratory, CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
* Corresponding Author: Nam.Le@csiro.au
Heat pipe is a highly effective, ubiquitous and robust heat transfer device that utilizes both thermal conductivity
and phase transformation of liquid to transport heat between two solid interfaces. 1 Traditionally heat pipes have
been integrated into consumer electronic devices such as laptops, PC and smart phones to manage the heat
of the central processing units (CPUs).2 Recently the emergence of thin, flexible devices such as flexible smart
phones, smart watches or wearable gears has necessitated the need for the development of flexible heat pipes
as thin as 1 mm or less that are capable of integrating with such devices. 3 Here, we report the analysis,
fabrication and testing of a thin, flexible heat pipe made of composite aluminized PET as skin material and
copper meshes as wick material with acetone as working liquid. First we performed the theoretical analysis of
the heat pipe, taking into account the balance between capillary pressure and pressure drops in liquid and
vapor phases, to optimize the dimensions of the heat pipe as well as the thickness of the wick and that of the
vapor space. The heat pipe was then fabricated using a simple lamination process and measured 40 mm x
120 mm x 0.9 mm (W x L x H) and weighted at 12 g. Preliminary testing data indicate that the heat pipe has a
heat transfer capacity of 8 W at 55 C whilst further testing is under way.
References
1. Peterson, G. P. An Introduction to Heat Pipes, Wiley: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 1994.
2. Go, J. S. Sens. Actuators A, Phys. 2005, 121, 549-556.
3. Lewis, R.; Xu, S.; Liew, L. A.; Coolidge, C.; Yang, R.; Lee, Y. C. J. Microelectromech. Syst. 2015, 24, 20402048.

P12
ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION OF PROTEIN GLYCOSYLATION USING LECTIN AND PROTEINGOLD AFFINITY INTERACTIONS
Sharda Yadav a b*, Laura G. Carascossaa, Abu A. I. Sinaa, M. J. A. Shiddikya, Michelle Hillab and Matt Trauac.
aAustralian

Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland,

Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
bThe University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research
Institute, QLD 4102, Australia
cSchool of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072,
Australia. E-mail: s.yadav@uq.edu.au, l.garciacarrascosa@uq.edu.au
We report a new method for the electrochemical detection of glycosylation on proteins, which rely on lectinprotein interaction on a bare gold electrode. The target protein isolated by immunoaffinity is directly adsorbed
onto a gold surface and its glycosylation status is retrieved by subsequent addition of specific lectins. The
adsorption and subsequent recognition process is monitored electrochemically in the presence of [Fe(CN) 6]3/4 redox system 1, 2. By decoupling target protein capture from glycosylation read-out steps, this approach
circumvents unwanted antibody-lectin crosstalk3 while enabling specific glycosylation detection from as low as
5ng/L of a glycoprotein in serum-spiked samples in less than 1h.
References
1. K. M. Koo, A. A. Sina, L. G. Carrascosa, M. J. Shiddiky and M. Trau, Analyst, 2014, 139, 6178-6184.
2. A. A. Sina, S. Howell, L. G. Carrascosa, S. Rauf, M. J. Shiddiky and M. Trau, Chemical Communications,
2014, 50, 13153-13156.
3. C. Li and D. M. Lubman, Methods in Molecular Biology, 2011, 723, 15-28.

P13
ENDIANDRIN A PROMOTES RAPID SPHEROID FORMATION AND FUSSION OF OLFACTORY
ENSHEATHING CELLS IN 3D MICROFLUDIC ENVIRONMENT
Raja K. Vadivelua, Marie-Laure Viala, Jenny A. K. Ekberga, Rohan Davisa, Ronald J. Quinna, Nam-Trung
Nguyenc and James A. St Johna*
aEskitis

Institute for Drug Discovery , Griffith University, QLD 4111, Australia

of Biomedical Sciences,University of Technology, Brisbane, 4000, QLD, Australia.
cQLD Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road QLD 4111,
Australia. * Corresponding Author: j.stjohn@griffith.edu.au
bSchool

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) has been trialled for repair of the paralysed spinal cord,
with promising but variable results, and thus this therapy needs improvement. In order to model complex cell
interactions of the in-vivo environment, we employed a floating liquid marble (FLM) as a bioreactor to generate
multiple spheroids of OECs. The bioreactor is a liquid droplet containing cells coated with hydrophobic powder
and placed on a liquid bath. By floating, a FLM allows the OECs to freely associate and interact to produce
spheroids. Furthermore, FLM creates a confine environment for spheroids to aggregate and fuse. This platform
can be used to study drug screening to identify candidates that promote spheroid proliferation, aggregation
and fusion. We have identified that the natural product Endandrin A (End A) potently stimulates the biological
activity of OEC spheroids. Treatment with End A enhances the timing of spheroid formation and proliferation
of cells such that spheroids are produce more rapidly compared to untreated cells. Additionally, End A
promotes rapid fusion of separate spheroids into larger aggregates which formed functional tissue. Moreover,
End A treated spheroids increased the ability of OECs to migrate. The treated OECs migrated out significantly
faster than cells from untreated spheroids. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that three-dimensional
culturing of OECs within a FLM can be used for drug screening to identify compounds that stimulate the
activity of cells in a complex 3D structures.
References
1. R. K. Vadivelu, C. H. Ooi, R.-Q. Yao, J. T. Velasquez, E. Pastrana, J. Diaz-Nido, et al., Scientific reports,
vol. 5, 2015.

P14
RAPID PARTICLE ORDERING USING MAGNETOPHORESIS-ASSISTED HYDROPHORESIS
Sheng Yan,1,2 Jun Zhang,1 Dan Yuan,1 Huaying Chen,2 Yonggang Zhu*2 and Weihua Li*1
1School

of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW

2522, Australia. *weihuali@uow.edu.au
2CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC, 3169, Australia. *Corresponding
Author: weihuali@uow.edu.au; yonggang.zhu@csiro.au
The continuous-flow focusing of specific micro- or nanoparticles of interest is a routine work in biological
laboratories for performing accurate and reproducible procedure downstream. Hydrophoresis is an effective
hydrodynamic method for particle focusing, but it is limited by the fixed operational range due to the lack of
flexibility. Here, we present the use of magnetophoresis to achieve tunablity and improve the dynamic range
of hydrophoresis device. A novel approach to fabricate the lateral fluidic ports is proposed, which allows the
flipped chip to remain stable on the stage of microscope. Diamagnetic polystyrene particles are suspended in
a ferrofluidic medium and injected through the channel. The particles are repelled to the lower level of the
channel by the magnetic repulsion force, and then interact with grooves to form hydrophoretic ordering. It is
found that the focusing efficiency is highly dependent on (i) flow rate of the suspension, (ii) particle size, (iii)
magnetic susceptibility of the medium, and (iv) number of magnets. As our magnetophorsis-assisted
hydrophoretic device is a tunable and simple system that does not require bulky and expensive equipment, it
holds a great potential to be integrated with other microfluidic components for downstream applications.

P15
POTENTIAL OF SKIN MICROBIOPSY FOR DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF SKIN CANCER AND
DISEASES USING DOWNSTREAM ADVANCED MOLECULAR TECHNOLOGIES.
Lin LL, Hang LYT, Yamada M, Payne EJ, Soyer HP, Prow TW
Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute,
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia
A minimally invasive skin microbiopsy was developed to enable repeated sampling without the need of local
anaesthesia and without pain and scarring, while providing enough viable tissue for molecular detection
of disease and live-cell assays. Moving forward from genotyping and BRAFV600Emutation profiling
using Sanger sequencing, we explored the feasibility using the skin microbiopsy samples in advanced
analytical platforms such as mass spectrometry, Nanostring, real-time PCR-based somatic mutation
profiling array and new generation sequencing. A total of 27 cytokines were screened using state-of-the-art
tandem mass spectrometry, and of which 22 were identified using 0.2 g of total protein. The relative
quantification of total RNA in microbiopsy samples were determined using quantitative reversetranscriptase PCR while digital gene expression profiling was explored using a 48-MAQC human gene
set. We compared genetic signatures of microbiopsy samples and its matched non-pigmented lesions,
and detected 17 corresponding mutations in 20 samples using p53/Rb PCR Array kit. Complimentary DNA
libraries were successfully generated using SMARTer Stranded RNA-Seq Kit. We have shown that samples
collected from the skin microbiopsy can provide relevant biological information of suspicious lesions with
advanced omic technologies. Skin microbiopsy is a simple and easy to-use device that can be easily
adopted in clinics or used by patients themselves. It is foreseen that the device can enable elaboration
of molecular profiling to facilitate early detection of diseases and aid in the identification of therapeutic targets.

P16
FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION OF BACTERIAL CELLS USING ISOTACHOPHORESIS
Sui Ching Phung a, Yi Heng Nai b, Mirek Macka a, Rosanne Guijt a,c, Shane M Powell d, Michael C
Breadmorea
a Australia

Centre for Research on Separation Science, School of Physical Sciences- Chemistry, University
of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
b Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Deakin University, Victoria
c Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
d Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
Corresponding Author:Michael.Breadmore@utas.edu.au
Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) is widely used to detect whole cells based on their DNA or RNA
sequence using a fluorescently labelled probe1. However, one limitation of using FISH is that whole cells need
to be fixed and then incubated with the probe for at least 1 hr before measurement. Isoachophoresis (ITP) has
been reported to increase the nucleic acid hybridisation of DNA and RNA in free solution 2. With the aid of
spacer ions in the terminating solution, it also allows the separation of non-hybridised and hybridised probe
complexes3. We demonstrate ITP for inline FISH of live Escherichia coli (E. coli) by using dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO) in the terminating electrolyte to allow the probe to permeate into the cells during ITP, with the whole
assay taking 4 min. We also examine the specificity of the method by using a custom E. coli sequence specific
probe for specific detection and a universal 27R probe that targets all bacteria. Our ITP method was
implemented on a PDMS microchip with different bacteria strain, i.e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa)
with both the E. coli sequence specific probe and the universal 27R probe. The end product was collected at
the waste reservoir and filtered through a black filter before visualization under the microscope at 100x
magnification for positive identification. It shows that when E. coli specific probe were used, P. aeruginosa was
not stained, successfully demonstrating selective in-line staining of cells with a sequence-specific hybridisation
probe.
References
1. Lantz, A. W.; Brehm-Stecher, B. F.; Armstrong, D. W. Electrophoresis 2008, 29, 24772484.
2. Bercovici, M.; Han, C. M.; Liao, J. C.; Santiago, J. G. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 2012, 109, 1112711132.
3. Eid, C.; Garcia-Schwarz, G.; Santiago, J. G. Analyst 2013, 138, 3117.

P17
LOW COST 3D PRINTED LED BASED ON-CAPILLARY DETECTOR SUITED FOR VARYING TUBING
DIAMETERS
Farhan Cecil*1, Michael C Breadmore1, 5 Rosanne M. Guijt2, Brett Paull1, 5, Pavel Nesterenko1, 5, Alan
Henderson3, Andrew Cole4and Mirek Macka1
1

Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS) and School of Physical Sciences,
University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia
2.Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS) and School of Medicine University of
Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia
3.School of Engineering Sciences University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia
4.School of Physical Sciences University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia
5 ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and School of Physical Sciences, University of
Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart 7001, Australia. * Corresponding Author: Farhan.Cecil@.edu.au
Optical detection is the most common detection mode in various flow through analytical techniques including
separation techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE), flow injection
analysis (FIA), and in flow through sensors for process engineering. Photometric detection is often performed
on-capillary (on-column) using capillaries or tubing usually of one set of dimension - internal and outer diameter
(i.d., o.d.), with a geometrically fitting on-capillary (on-column) optical detector. Presently, there is no detector
available to be suitable for a variety of diameters thus applicable to various techniques as each of them require
a particular capillary or a detection tubing diameter to be used. A detector compatible with various diameter
tubing will allow its coupling with multiple techniques.
Design, fabrication and optimization of optical detectors using traditional methods is challenging because of
limited opportunities to introduce complex features to the design, time consumption and cost. In this work, a
consumer-grade FDM 3D printer has been employed for the first time for rapid prototyping of a low cost
photometric detector assembly in less than 3 hr. The detector was tested in a FIA arrangement using a 470 nm
LED and Orange G as model analyte. The performance based on linearity, effective path length and stray light
% calculated using 1 mm o.d. polymer tubing with 250, 500, and 750 m i.d was found to be comparable to
similar detector assemblies fabricated by traditional methods. The use of a V-shaped alignment feature allowed
for easy and reliable positioning of the tubing inside the detector, demonstrated by a RSD of 0.89% (n=10) in
peak height when repositioning the capillary between measurements.

P18
IMPROVEMENT OF A MICROGROOVED HEAT PIPE PLATE IN CONTROLLED COOLING CONDITIONS
Yanping Du1, Nam Le1, Clifford Shum1, Glenn Bradbury1, Yonggang Zhu*1, 2
1CSIRO

Manufacturing Flagship, Gate 5, Normanby Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia

Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, 3168, VIC, Australia
*Corresponding author: Yonggang.Zhu@csiro.au
2Melbourne

A heat pipe plate has been developed as an advanced thermal management system. To address the deficiency
of liquid wicking due to the gas collection caused by the intensive evaporation in high power-density situations,
active cooling solution using water jacket was applied to the condensation section of the heat pipe plate.
Temperatures at different locations of the heat pipe plate were measured to characterize the temperature
profile of the internal fluid flow. On the basis of the temperature characterization, the thermal resistance under
different heating power was evaluated. It was found that with a heating power of 4800 W/m2, the thermal
resistance of the device was reduced to be less than 0.8 K/W. This enables the device to transport heat in a
highly-efficient manner. The comparative study of heat pipe plates with different internal designs showed that
the novel fluidic channel design and incorporation of nanomaterials allow the device to achieve the maximum
heat transportation for fulfilling requirements of efficient thermal management.

P19
DESIGN MICROFABRICATION AND IMPLIMENATION OF MICRO-NOZZLE FOR ANALYZING THE
ADULT CARDIAC MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL-LIKE DIFFERENTIOATION PEDIGREES
Nona Farbehi*1, Mehdi Rafeie2, Richard P Harvey3, Robert Nordon1
1

Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
School of Mechanical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
3 Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW,
Australia.* Corresponding Author: n.farbehi@student.unsw.edu.au
2 Graduate

Microfluidics techniques allow precise control of fluids at the nanoliter scale and facilitate simultaneous analysis
of single cells within heterogeneous populations. Because of natural cell-to-cell variability in biochemical
parameters, bulk assays are often inaccurate. Basic methods in adherent cell isolation have been limited to
conventional micromanipulation and laser capture micro-dissection. The aim of this project is to manufacture
a novel micro-nozzle for aspiration of single cells from microscopic fields where progeny are tracked by live
cell imaging. The micro-nozzle will be manufacture from a flexible polymer instead of glass so that it will not
break when contacting the petri dish surface. Furthermore the nozzle will be able to aspirate single cells using
a close flow loop. This method is based on a combination of mechanical (shear flow) force and biochemical
(lysis) treatment. We hope to use the technique to characterize single cell transcriptomes in kin compared to
unrelated cells to determine the evolution of transcriptomes with cell division. Initially the micro-nozzle design
will be tested by simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics software5 to characterise fluid-solid interactions
between the nozzle, petri dish and adherent single cell. The novel micro-nozzle design will be manufacture
from silicon-rubber using soft lithography. Cultures of cardiac colony forming units fibroblast (cCFU-F) were
seeded from Sca1+/PDGFR+/CD31- cells isolated from adult mouse hearts. At passage 4, cCFU cultures
were differentiated to endothelial cells using VEGF. The micro-nozzle will be used to isolate single cells from
microscopic fields followed by single cell RNA- extraction.

P20
MASS TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT WITH MICRO MAGNETOFLUIDICS
Majid Hejazian1 and Nam-Trung Nguyen*1
1QLD

Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan
QLD 4111, Australia.* Corresponding Author: nam-trung.nguyen@griffith.edu.au
We demonstrate the use of a non-uniform magnetic field to improve mass transfer performance in a microfluidic
device. The phenomenon of mixing ferrofluid and water streams has been reported before 1, 2, 3, but mass
transfer enhancement for other non-magnetic species through magnetic field have not been studied and
evaluated extensively. In the present work, permanent magnets were used in a simple hydrodynamic focusing
device to create a non-uniform magnetic field. The middle stream containing a fluorescent dye was mixed with
diluted ferrofluid to induce enhanced mass transport of the dye. Mass transport enhancement of a fluorescent
dye is evaluated using fluorescent measurement techniques. The concentration field is measured for different
flow rates. As a benchmark, a numerical study was carried out to simulate the concentration and velocity field
for the case with no magnet. Due to effect of magnetic field, a body force is exerted on the middle stream and
changes the shape of the flow field. Significant enhancement was observed for mass transfer of fluorescent
dye due to magnetophoresis and diamagnetophoresis effects. This platform could potentially useful for
designing more efficient micro-mixers or gradient generators.
References
1. Zhu, G.-P. , Hejiazan, M., Huang, X. and Nguyen, N.-T. , Lab on a Chip, 2014, 14, 4609-4615.
2. Tsai, T.-H., Liou, D.-S., Kuo, L.-S. and Chen, P.-H., Sensors and Actuators A, 2009, 153, 267273.
3. Fu, L. M., Tsai, C. H., Leong, K. P., and Wen, C. Y., 12th International Conference on Magnetic Fluids,
Physics Procedia, 2010, 9, 270273.

P21
SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE PARTICLE MANIPULATION AND SORTING: REDUCING THE ACOUSTIC
WAVELENGTH DOWN TO THE PARTICLE SIZE
Citsabehsan Devendran*1, Armaghan Fakhfouri1, Jia Wei Ng1, David J. Collins2 and Adrian Neild1
1

Laboratory for Micro Systems, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University,
Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
2Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
487372, Singapore. * Corresponding Author: saab.devendran@monash.edu
Acoustic fields offer a versatile and non-contact method for particle and cell manipulation, where several
acoustofluidic systems have been developed for the purpose of sorting. However, in almost all cases, these
systems rely on standing waves (SW) or travelling waves (TW) individually and require a steady flow to either
define the exposure time to the acoustic field or to counteract the acoustic forces. To circumvent these
limitations, the use of higher operational frequency systems is proposed to reduce the acoustic wavelength,
. The force fields acting on a particle that is much smaller than that of the acoustic wavelength is well known
(i.e. 6 and 3 ). 1-3 However, when the particle size, r approaches , the presence of the
suspended particle distorts the local pressure field in the surrounding medium, thus, rendering these wellknown force relationships invalid. These relatively large particles results in different force relationships when
subjected by a TW or SW pressure field, giving rise to novel mechanisms that enables enhanced sizedeterministic particle sorting capabilities. By decreasing , thus increasing the apparent size, a of the particle,
we enable the utilisation of a combined TW and SW system to deterministically sort particles based on size
within batch process (i.e. static system) and continuous flow systems without the need of a fine-tuned bulk
flow rate as conventionally required. Furthermore, it is shown that by altering the frequency of operation a shift
in the dominant forcing mechanism (i.e. either or ) as a result of changing a is observed.4
References
1.Gor'kov, L. In Soviet Physics Doklady, 1962, p 773.
2.King, L. V. In Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering
Sciences; The Royal Society, 1934, pp 212-240.
3.Yosioka, K.; Kawasima, Y. Acustica 1955, 5, 167-173.
4.Devendran, C.; Gunasekara, N. R.; Collins, D. J.; Neild, A. RSC Advances 2016, 6, 5856-5864.

P22
WICKING PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY USING NANO-COATED COPPER FOAMS
C. Shuma,b , Y.P. Dua, G. Rosengartenb ,N. Karwab and, Y. Zhua, c, *
a

CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Private Bag 10, Clayton, VIC 3169, Australia.
School of Engineering and Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
c Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, Australia.* Corresponding
Author: Yonggang.Zhu@csiro.au.
b

Foams with high pore density have the potential to be used as highly wicking materials due to the improved
capillarity of the materials caused by the high porosity and interconnected microchannels. The challenge for
using the materials in its original states lies in the poor wettability caused by hydrophobic surfaces. Unlike the
traditional hydrogen reduction method, a chemical treatment using the blackening process is applied in this
study for creating a superhydrophilic surface on copper. SEM analysis of the resulting coating revealed the
presence of two nanolayers. Further EDX analysis shows the presence of both of cuprous oxide (Cu 2O) and
cupric oxide (CuO) in these layers. The treatment resulted in a reduction of contact angle of a sessile water
droplet of a flat copper substrate from about 85o to almost 0o, indicating a significantly improved wettability of
the materials. The rate-of-rise experiments on the treated metal foams were conducted. The wicking height of
140mm in the treated metal foams was achieved, which is a significant improvement over previously published
results1-3. A one-month stability test was carried out and demonstrated that under vacuum storage of the treated
copper substrate, the contact angle and the wicking performance remains unchanged.
References
1 Deng, D., Tang, Y., Huang, G., Lu, L. & Yuan, D. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 56, 283293 (2013).
2 Tang, Y., Deng, D., Lu, L., Pan, M. & Wang, Q. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 34, 190-196
(2010).
3 Hansen, G. & Nss, E. Applied Thermal Engineering 81, 359-367 (2015).

P23
A MICROFLUIDIC CHIP BASED CHLORINE SENSOR FOR SWIMMING POOL MONITORING
Vasil R. Vasilev1, Sait Elmas1, Thomas Nann2, and Craig Priest1*
1Future

Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia

Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, NZ. *Corresponding
author: craig.priest@unisa.edu.au
2MacDiarmid

Water chlorination is still the main chemical pretreatment process for municipal water as well as indoor and
outdoor swimming pool sanitation1. Although other treatment processes are used in water sanitation (UVradiation, ozonation), only water chlorination is able to sustain residual active species for long periods 1,2. Here,
a microfluidic device is fabricated for the simultaneous and continuous detection of free and combined chlorine
by the photometric bleaching reaction of methyl orange (MO). The proposed method differs from previously
developed methods3,4. First, the detection wavelength is the isosbestic point of MO at 469 nm, instead of the
usual 505 nm3,4; the reaction takes place close to neutral pH, instead of pH 23,4 using an acidified MO reagent.
Second, the developed four-layer-device has two sequential reaction loops - one for free chlorine sensing and
the other for combined chlorine sensing upon addition of sodium bromide. This setup enables lower reagent
consumption due to the small size of the channels. In addition, the analysis is very versatile: the flow-rate ratio
of reagent to sample as well as the methyl orange concentration enable different operation spans of chlorine
concentrations, increasing the potential use of the sensor beyond swimming pools to chlorination stations,
drinking water treatment plants, and wastewater effluents. The fabricated device is tested with respect to
response time, residence time, MO and chlorine concentrations, and reagent to sample flow-rate ratio.
References
1. Whites Handbook of Chlorination, Fifth Edition, ISBN: 9780470561331, 2010
2. Swimming Pool and Spa Water Chemistry, Missouri Department of Health,
http://health.mo.gov/safety/recreationalwater/pdf/PoolSpaChem.pdf, Accessed 2 Feb 2016
3. Taras, M. Anal Chem., vol. 19, pp. 342-43, 1947
4. Laitinen H. A.; Boyer K. W., Anal Chem., vol. 44, pp. 920-926, 1972

Notes

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