Active Mixing in Microchamber using Cilia of Vorticella convallaria

Innovative engineering systems can potentially be developed by using biological motors and artificial structures in combination. In this study, we demonstrate active microfluidic mixing using the cilia of living Vorticella microorganisms. We apply the nature of particle transport by Vorticella to mix solutions in a stop flow. Two solutions are injected into a microchannel where Vorticella is immobilized. Pneumatic valves are closed to form microchambers for mixing. The ciliary motion of Vorticella induces mixing in the chambers. The mixing process of solutions by Vorticella is characterized. (C) 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.