Acoustic Bubble: A Versatile Tool for Biomedical Lab-on-a-Chip Applications

A typical biomedical analysis process usually requires (1) multiple steps such as sample collection, sample preparation and analytes detection; (2) sophisticated equipment; and (3) professional personnel. All these weaknesses have become a burden to ever-increasing demands of rapid and reliable healthcare for individuals and society. In recent years, microfluidics has shown great potential to become a go-to solution, by which most of these steps can be realized in a single miniaturized device. Especially, by combining acoustics and microfluidics, we can achieve contactless operation with high controllability and high biocompatibility, which is well poised for solving the challenges in various biomedical research related to healthcare.

In this talk, Dr. Gao will present acoustic bubbles (gas/air interfaces) in microfluidic systems for various biomedical applications to address the challenges in fluid transportation, cell manipulation and disease treatment. The versatile functions of acoustic bubbles will be discussed with experimental examples. This talk will also cover the approaches to building various microfluidic biomedical devices using advanced manufacturing technologies and low-cost materials. Building on my background in acoustic microfluidics, bioapplications, and advanced manufacturing technologies, I will share my current work and future research in the development of innovative acoustic microfluidic systems for various biomedical applications.