Surface Acoustic Wave Microfluidics

Overview

Journal Lab Chip

Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry

Specialties Biotechnology
Chemistry

Date 2013 Aug 1

PMID 23900527

Citations 209

Authors

Xiaoyun Ding

Peng Li

Sz-Chin Steven Lin

Zackary S Stratton

Nitesh Nama

Feng Guo

Daniel Slotcavage

Xiaole Mao

Jinjie Shi

Francesco Costanzo

Tony Jun Huang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The recent introduction of surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology onto lab-on-a-chip platforms has opened a new frontier in microfluidics. The advantages provided by such SAW microfluidics are numerous: simple fabrication, high biocompatibility, fast fluid actuation, versatility, compact and inexpensive devices and accessories, contact-free particle manipulation, and compatibility with other microfluidic components. We believe that these advantages enable SAW microfluidics to play a significant role in a variety of applications in biology, chemistry, engineering and medicine. In this review article, we discuss the theory underpinning SAWs and their interactions with particles and the contacting fluids in which they are suspended. We then review the SAW-enabled microfluidic devices demonstrated to date, starting with devices that accomplish fluid mixing and transport through the use of travelling SAW; we follow that by reviewing the more recent innovations achieved with standing SAW that enable such actions as particle/cell focusing, sorting and patterning. Finally, we look forward and appraise where the discipline of SAW microfluidics could go next.

Citing Articles

Driving Rotational Circulation in a Microfluidic Chamber Using Dual Focused Surface-Acoustic-Wave Beams.

Hsu J, Liao K Micromachines (Basel). 2025; 16(2).

PMID: 40047594 PMC: 11857384. DOI: 10.3390/mi16020140.

Optical sorting: past, present and future.

Yang M, Shi Y, Song Q, Wei Z, Dun X, Wang Z Light Sci Appl. 2025; 14(1):103.

PMID: 40011460 PMC: 11865320. DOI: 10.1038/s41377-024-01734-5.

Frequency-locked Wireless Multifunctional Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors.

Bo L, Li J, Wang Z, Qiu C, Cai B, Du Y Adv Sens Res. 2025; 3(12).

PMID: 39989624 PMC: 11841837. DOI: 10.1002/adsr.202400083.

Topological water-wave structures manipulating particles.

Wang B, Che Z, Cheng C, Tong C, Shi L, Shen Y Nature. 2025; 638(8050):394-400.

PMID: 39910306 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08384-y.

Microfluidic-based electrically driven particle manipulation techniques for biomedical applications.

Wang J, Cui X, Wang W, Wang J, Zhang Q, Guo X RSC Adv. 2025; 15(1):167-198.

PMID: 39758908 PMC: 11697266. DOI: 10.1039/d4ra05571c.

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