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<summary style={{ fontSize: '26px' }}>Phase 3: Generating Six Unique Designs for Each Phase (SPS & LPS), Each Employing a Different Mixing Principle</summary>
<p>In order to best explore the strengths and weaknesses of each of our design chips, we chose to generate one chip from <strong>each category.</strong> To do so, we completed a second round of literature review, from which we took inspiration to generate 6 unique designs (each employing a different mixing principle). This resulted in the chips presented below:</p>
<h3>Liquid Phase Synthesis Chips</h3>
{/* Gallery of LPS chips would go here */}
<p><strong>Herringbone</strong>: Based on the design by Channon et al. of an asymmetric staggered herringbone mixer that induces helix-flow mixing. The authors used alternating groups of herringbones above and below a central y-channel. We adjusted the number and spacing of individual grooves to match our laser cutter’s resolution.</p>
<p><strong>Category:</strong> Helix Flows</p>
<p><strong>Countered Spirals: </strong>Based on the design by Hong & Yeom 2022. The design induces pairs of counter-rotating vortices in a serpentine micromixer design with vertical and horizontal bends. We did not change the dimensions but we did increase the total number of repeats of the geometry to increase the total mixing potential for liquid phase synthesis.</p>
<p><strong>Category:</strong> Dean vortices</p>
<p><strong>3D SAR: </strong>Based on the design by Tia et al. 2005. The design uses two-layer crossing channels to induce chaotic advection at extremely low Reynolds numbers. The authors used a 3-pass design which we changed to 1-pass in order to keep the overall geometry consistent between chips.</p>
<p><strong>3D Multilamination: </strong>Custom design. Uses tree structure geometry to maximize interfacial area between two fluids in order to increase rate of mixing by diffusion. The geometry was split between two layers to prevent floating feature islands and simplify assembly.</p>
<p><strong>Category:</strong> Multilamination</p>
<p><strong>Chain micromixer: </strong>Based on the design by Viktorov et al. 2016. Their design combines the principles behind the split/recombine and contraction/expansions processes to maximize mixing efficiency. We did not change the dimensions but we did increase the total number of repeats of the geometry to increase the total mixing potential for liquid phase synthesis.</p>
<p><strong>Fin-shaped baffles: </strong>An efficient passive planar micromixer with fin-shaped baffles in the tee channel for wide Reynolds number flow range</p>
<p><strong>Serpentine: </strong>Based on the design by Yin et al. 2021 that used an Archimedean spiral to induce dean vortices via centrifugal force. We scaled the dimensions to match our chip and added a feature to increase total channel length and thereby maximize diffusion.</p>
<p><strong>Category:</strong> Dean Vortices</p>
<p><strong>ZigZag: </strong>Based on the design by Natsuhara et al. 2022 that used asymmetric channel features to change the flow velocities and directions of fluids as they crossed the centerline of the microochannel. We scaled the dimensions to match our chip.</p>
<p><strong>Planar SAR: </strong>Custom design. Uses symmetrical x-shaped features to induce mixing of input fluids via the split and recombine process. Scaled to maximize the number of features so that mixing during is increased.</p>
<p>A detailed description of the chip geometries, why they were chosen, how they work, and how we validated/tested them is available in the sections below. For now, we will proceed with describing the build process to maintain simplicity.</p>
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<p>Given a good understanding of our chips and our designs, we now had to sort out the logistics of manufacturing a large number of these chips, without exceeding our budget or manufacturing capabilities as a small undergraduate team. To do so, we began by consulting Dr. Albert Folch from the University of Washington, who helped us understand the challenges of creating microfluidic chips, and how we can bypass them.</p>
<p>Apart from leading a research lab at UBC, Dr. Folch also teaches multiple undergraduate courses at UW where students get to design and prototype their own chips. Based on his experiences, he suggested:</p>
<figcaption>Figure 15. ZigZag CAE Design by Piyush Awasthi; Technical drawing by Jessica Xin</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Description: </strong>(Natsuhara et al.’s, 2022).</p>
<p><strong>Why Was It Chosen?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Description: </strong>The <strong>ZigZag Contraction and Expansion Chip</strong> employs a zigzag microchannel design that alternates between narrow and wide sections. This repeated contraction and expansion generate significant flow disturbances, creating vortices and enhancing chaotic advection. As the fluid passes through the narrow sections, it accelerates, and upon reaching the expanded sections, it decelerates, promoting mixing through turbulence. The zigzag geometry increases the interaction between fluid layers and prevents the formation of dead zones, leading to more efficient mixing even at low Reynolds numbers. (Natsuhara et al.’s, 2022).</p>
<p><strong>Why Was It Chosen?</strong><br/> The <strong>ZigZag Contraction and Expansion Chip</strong> was selected for its <strong>ability to generate consistent and efficient mixing through simple geometric manipulation</strong>. The contraction-expansion pattern in the zigzag layout allows for effective mixing without requiring external energy sources, making it a sustainable solution for fluid mixing in DNA synthesis applications. Its ease of fabrication using laser ablation techniques ensures that it can be reproduced at a low cost while maintaining high performance. Additionally, the chip’s design promotes scalability, as its predictable and controlled mixing behavior can be easily adapted for larger-scale biomanufacturing processes.</p>
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '24px' }}>“Planar” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
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<p>Here, we included the results from our SolidWorks Flow Simulations and Titration Experiments for each of the LPS chips. We can observe how our computational simulations are actually reflected in realistic, in-lab experiments with the chips.</p>
<p>We can see that the two inlet liquids are being mixed at the intersection of the Y. Molecules are rocking back and forth at the chevrons, allowing mixing to occur.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-1-herringbone-sim.gif" alt="Animation 1. Flow trajectory of the Herringbone chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<p>We can see that the liquid was not able to flow through the outer channels, which indicates a flow dead zone, leading to no mixing in those areas. The amount of molecules flowing through the left and right channels are also disproportionate. This simulation result was consistent with in-lab results as we observed the fluid flowing much slower through the left channel than the right, and no fluid flowing through the outer channels. Possible explanations for the flow dead zone formations could be that the sharp corners leading to multiple channels could have significantly decreased the flow velocity. While assembling the layers on SolidWorks, the layers may have been slightly uneven or asymmetric, leading to imperfect splitting / combining of the channels.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-2-multilam-sim.gif" alt="Animation 2. Flow trajectory of the MultiLamination chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
<figcaption>Animation 2. Flow trajectory of the MultiLamination chip; Created by Jessica Xin.</figcaption>
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<figure style={{textAlign: 'center'}}>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulation/figure-24-multilam-titration.png" alt="Titration Experiment on MultiLamination Chip" style={{width: '275px'}} />
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/figure-24-multilam-titration.png" alt="Titration Experiment on MultiLamination Chip" style={{width: '275px'}} />
<figcaption>Figure 24. Titration Experiment on the MultiLamination Chip</figcaption>
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“Pinball” Contraction and Expansion Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“Pinball” Contraction and Expansion Chip</summary>
<p>The molecules are flowing around the pinball obstacles through the two layers, promoting mixing. By observing the colours, the liquid is pretty well mixed right when the two liquids meet, at the intersection.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-3-pinball-cae-sim.gif" alt="Animation 3. Flow trajectory of the Pinball CAE chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“Countered Spirals” Dean Vortices Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“Countered Spirals” Dean Vortices Chip</summary>
<p>The two liquids are mixed well at the intersection of the inlet channels as it enters the spirals. The molecules flows through the spirals smoothly, as it alternates flow directions, become increasingly well mixed as it goes down the channels.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-4-countered-spiral-sim.gif" alt="Animation 4. Flow trajectory of the Dean Vortices chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“F Channel” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“F Channel” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<p>The two liquids are mixed well after flowing through the first “F”. The molecules are divided relatively evenly at the F arms, which are then combined before moving onto the next “F”.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-5-f-channel-sim.gif" alt="Animation 5. Flow trajectory of the F Channels chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-5-f-channel-sim.gif" alt="Animation 5. Flow trajectory of the F Channels chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
<figcaption>Animation 5. Flow trajectory of the F Channels chip; Created by Jessica Xin.</figcaption>
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“Criss-Cross” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“Criss-Cross” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<p>The two layers come together to form criss-cross shaped channels, where the molecules overlap in alternating directions at each criss-cross. The molecules are then recombined and mixed before reaching the next criss-cross.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/lps-simulations/ani-6-criss-cross-sim.gif" alt="Animation 6. Flow trajectory of the Criss-Cross SAR chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<p>We can see that the two inlet liquids are being mixed right at the intersection, before entering the channels. At each “fin”, the baffles create swirls of the molecules to enhance the mixing of the liquid.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-7-fin-shaped-sim.gif" alt="Animation 7. Flow trajectory of the Fin Shaped Baffles Chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“Serpentine” Dean Vortices Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“Serpentine” Dean Vortices Chip</summary>
<p>We can see that the two input liquids are being mixed right at the intersection, before entering the curved channels. The molecules flow smooth through the curves, allowing the formation of dean vortices.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-8-serpentime-sim.gif" alt="Animation 8. Flow trajectory of the Serpentine Chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“ZigZag” Contraction and Expansion Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“ZigZag” Contraction and Expansion Chip</summary>
<p>We can see that the two input liquids are being mixed right at the intersection, before entering the channels. The zipper design facilitates mixing by quickly expanding then contracting the molecules interchangeably throughout the channel.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-9-zigzag-sim.gif" alt="Animation 9. Flow trajectory of the ZigZag CAE Chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<summary style={{ fontSize: '22px' }}>“Planar” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<summary style={{ fontSize: '20px' }}>“Planar” Split and Recombination Chip</summary>
<p>We can see that the two input liquids are being mixed throughout the channels, and interleave as they enter the channels. The X shaped channels split the molecules and are then recombined at the outlet hole.</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-10-planar-sar-sim.gif" alt="Animation 10. Flow trajectory of the Planar SAR Chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
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<p>We can see that the two input liquids are being mixed very quickly at the intersection, before entering the fractal-like channels. As the molecules contact each sub</p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/5228/hardware/microfluidicspage/sps-simulations/ani-11-cantor-baffle-sim.gif" alt="Animation 11. Flow trajectory animation of the Cantor Baffles Chip; Created by Jessica Xin." style={{width: '652px'}} />
