High Speed Particles and Biomolecules Sorting Microsystem Using Thermosensitive Hydrogel and Water Two-Phase Flow

High speed particles and biomolecules sorter was realized using thermosensitive hydrogel and water two-phase sheath flow system. The two phase sheath flow consists of a water flow including samples and two hydrogel carrier flows is utilized instead of the air and water droplet two-phase flow used in the conventional commercialized cell sorter. Flow switching is performed by the sol-gel transfer of the thermosensitive hydrogel generated by the focused IR laser irradiation. High speed sorting less than 5.0 msec and no error sorting (3000 counts) was realized. Since sorting performed in simple PDMS-glass microchannels without any electric stimulation, the proposed system is suitable for bio-applications.