{"title":"A compact electromagnetic syringe stirrer and temperature controller for the reliable dispensing of living cells and microparticles","authors":"Maryamsadat Ghoreishi , Giovanna Peruzzi , Lucia Iafrate , Gianluca Cidonio , Noemi D’Abbondanza , Giancarlo Ruocco , Marco Leonetti , Riccardo Reale","doi":"10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00638","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lab-on-chip technologies frequently require biological samples, such as cells or microorganisms, to be maintained inside a syringe for prolonged periods of time during operations. Challenges include preventing cell sedimentation, ensuring cell viability, and maintaining buffer rheological properties (i.e. viscosity and density) constant, particularly in applications like 3D bioprinting and diagnostic assays. To address these challenges, we have developed the Syringe Electromagnetic Controller (SEC), an integrated system capable of simultaneously stirring and thermoregulating samples inside a syringe. SEC prevents sedimentation through the cyclic movement of a magnet actuated by an electromagnetic field, while maintaining a stable temperature (within ± 0.5 °C from a set-point) with a feedback loop. The system is compact, cost-effective, and easily integrated into various setups. Experimental validation shows that SEC effectively keeps living cells in suspension and at a constant temperature without compromising cell viability. Thus, we have ultimately demonstrated the functionality of SEC as a versatile solution for enhancing the reliability of lab-on-chip applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37503,"journal":{"name":"HardwareX","volume":"22 ","pages":"Article e00638"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"HardwareX","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000161","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Lab-on-chip technologies frequently require biological samples, such as cells or microorganisms, to be maintained inside a syringe for prolonged periods of time during operations. Challenges include preventing cell sedimentation, ensuring cell viability, and maintaining buffer rheological properties (i.e. viscosity and density) constant, particularly in applications like 3D bioprinting and diagnostic assays. To address these challenges, we have developed the Syringe Electromagnetic Controller (SEC), an integrated system capable of simultaneously stirring and thermoregulating samples inside a syringe. SEC prevents sedimentation through the cyclic movement of a magnet actuated by an electromagnetic field, while maintaining a stable temperature (within ± 0.5 °C from a set-point) with a feedback loop. The system is compact, cost-effective, and easily integrated into various setups. Experimental validation shows that SEC effectively keeps living cells in suspension and at a constant temperature without compromising cell viability. Thus, we have ultimately demonstrated the functionality of SEC as a versatile solution for enhancing the reliability of lab-on-chip applications.
HardwareXEngineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
CiteScore
4.10
自引率
18.20%
发文量
124
审稿时长
24 weeks
期刊介绍:
HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.