Separation of Ultra-High-Density Cell Suspension via Elasto-Inertial Microfluidics

Separation of high-density suspension particles at high throughput is crucial for many chemical, biomedical, and environmental applications. In this study, elasto-inertial microfluidics is used to manipulate ultra-high-density cells to achieve stable equilibrium positions in microchannels, aided by the inherent viscoelasticity of high-density cell suspension. It is demonstrated that ultra-high-density Chinese hamster ovary cell suspension (>26 packed cell volume% (PCV%), >95 million cells mL(-1)) can be focused at distinct lateral equilibrium positions under high-flow-rate conditions (up to 10 mL min(-1)). The effect of flow rates, channel dimensions, and cell densities on this unique focusing behavior is studied. Cell clarification is further demonstrated using this phenomenon, from 29.7 PCV% (108.1 million cells mL(-1)) to 8.3 PCV% (33.2 million cells mL(-1)) with overall 72.1% reduction efficiency and 10 mL min(-1) processing rate. This work explores an extreme case of elasto-inertial particle focusing where ultra-high-density culture suspension is efficiently manipulated at high throughput. This result opens up new opportunities for practical applications of high-particle-density suspension manipulation.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the successful manipulation of ultra-high-density cells using elasto-inertial microfluidics, achieving stable focusing and clarification under high-flow conditions. The findings open up new opportunities for practical applications of high-particle-density suspension manipulation.