Microfluidics

Veryst offers a comprehensive approach to solving problems in microfluidic device development.  We employ an array of modeling tools, such as scaling arguments, analytical formulas, computational simulations, and laboratory testing to inform the design and integration of common components such as micropumps, manifolds, and channel networks, and to model processes such as shear stresses, transport of nutrients and waste, chemical reactions, heat transfer, and surface tension and wetting effects.  For example, we have used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to model oxygen transport and uptake by cells within an organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device, and have validated our predictions with our clients’ laboratory data.  We have used CFD tools to optimize 3D channel networks and validated designs with 3D printing.  

Our clients use our analysis and recommendations to develop new products and to improve the performance of existing products, which in some cases resulted in new intellectual property.

Expertise

  • Fluid-structure interaction
  • Heat and mass transfer
  • Multiphase and particulate flow
  • Flow in porous media
  • Surface tension and wetting
  • Acoustics
  • Viscous and creeping flow


Applications

  • Medical devices
  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Industrial processes
  • Consumer products
  • Micro devices
  • Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
  • Diagnostic devices
  • Digital microfluidics, emulsions
  • Electronic cooling, thermal management 
  • Drug discovery and screening

 

 

Microfluidic flow and transport
Flow and transport in a microfluidic device for diagnostic and genomic applications

 

Veryst Capabilities 

  • Analysis, modeling, and simulation of flow cells with surface reactions
  • Lab-on-chip microdevices
  • Bioinspired cooling
  • Micro heat exchangers
  • Marangoni and curvature pressure driven flows
  • Structural-acoustic vibrations
  • Droplet and bubble flows
  • Electromagnetic heating
  • Thermal-fluid coupling
  • Conjugate heat transfer
  • Particle transport and sorting
  • Inertial microfluidics
  • Organ-on-a-chip microdevices
  • Colloidal flows
  • Microchannel networks
  • Phase change
  • Microchannel mixing
  • Multiphase flow in fibrous materials
  • Wicking
  • Lubrication
  • Electrokinetic flows

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Concentration Gradients in Microfluidic Devices

Controlling spatial variations in chemical concentration is important for designing and operating many microfluidic devices across a wide range of industries and applications including diagnostics, genomics, and pharmaceutics. In this case study, we show how simulations may be used to quantify and control concentration gradients in microfluidic devices.

Bubble Entrapment in Microchannels

Bubbles trapped in microchannels can distort the fluid flow and impact the device performance. Veryst developed a multiphase CFD model to predict the effect of geometry and surface properties on the likelihood of bubble entrapment.

Chemical Carryover in Microfluidic Devices

Removing reagents or sample from a previous processing step via a wash cycle is a common challenge in microfluidic assays used in diagnostic, genomic, biomedical, pharmaceutical and other applications. This case study shows how finite element simulations may be used to predict and optimize wash cycle performance.

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