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Chaotic mixing in three-dimensional microvascular networks fabricated by direct-write assembly

Nature Materials volume 2, pages 265–271 (2003)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 01 May 2003

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Abstract

The creation of geometrically complex fluidic devices is a subject of broad fundamental and technological interest. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microvascular networks through direct-write assembly of a fugitive organic ink. This approach yields a pervasive network of smooth cylindrical channels (∼10–300 μm) with defined connectivity. Square-spiral towers, isolated within this vascular network, promote fluid mixing through chaotic advection. These vertical towers give rise to dramatic improvements in mixing relative to simple straight (1D) and square-wave (2D) channels while significantly reducing the device planar footprint. We envisage that 3D microvascular networks will provide an enabling platform for a wide array of fluidic-based applications.

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Figure 1: Microvascular scaffold fabrication.
Figure 2: 3D microvascular network fabrication.
Figure 3: Square-spiral tower patterning.
Figure 4: Microfluidic mixing experiments.
Figure 5: Microfluidic mixing results.

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Change history

  • 01 April 2003

    Figure 3 has been replaced

Notes

  1. * An error has led to the arrows in Fig. 3b being doubled. This has been corrected in the full text version and will be corrected in an erratum in the May issue of Nature Materials, from which there will be a link to the original paper.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been sponsored by the AFOSR Aerospace and Materials Science Directorate (Grant no. F49620-00-1-0094) and the National Science Foundation (Grant no. DMI 00-99360 and DMR-01-177792). Electron microscopy was carried out in the Center for Microanalysis of Materials, University of Illinois, which is supported by the US Department of Energy. Support for D. Therriault came from the University of Illinois through a CARVER Fellowship and a Nanoscience and Technology Center Fellowship, and the government of Québec (NATEQ). The robotic deposition apparatus used in this work was designed and built by J. Cesarano, and customized software for 3D fabrication was developed by J.E. Smay. The authors gratefully acknowledge the thoughtful comments and technical advice of colleagues R. Adrian, H. Aref, J. Moore, N. Sottos and P. Wiltzius.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aerospace Engineering, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, 61801, Illinois, USA

    Daniel Therriault

  2. Departments of Aerospace Engineering and Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, 61801, Illinois, USA

    Scott R. White

  3. Beckman Institute, Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, 61801, Illinois, USA

    Scott R. White & Jennifer A. Lewis

  4. Departments of Material Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering, and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, 61801, Illinois, USA

    Jennifer A. Lewis

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  1. Daniel Therriault
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Correspondence to Scott R. White or Jennifer A. Lewis.

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Therriault, D., White, S. & Lewis, J. Chaotic mixing in three-dimensional microvascular networks fabricated by direct-write assembly. Nature Mater 2, 265–271 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat863

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