Observing capture with a colloidal model membrane channel

We use video microscopy to study the full capture process for colloidal particles transported through microfluidic channels by a pressure-driven flow. In particular, we obtain trajectories for particles as they move from the bulk into confinement, using these to map in detail the spatial velocity and concentration fields for a range of different flow velocities. Importantly, by changing the height profiles of our microfluidic devices, we consider systems for which flow profiles in the channel are the same, but flow fields in the reservoir differ with respect to the quasi-2D monolayer of particles. We find that velocity fields and profiles show qualitative agreement with numerical computations of pressure-driven fluid flow through the systems in the absence of particles, implying that in the regimes studied here particle-particle interactions do not strongly perturb the flow. Analysis of the particle flux through the channel indicates that changing the reservoir geometry leads to a change between long-range attraction of the particles to the pore and diffusion-to-capture-like behaviour, with concentration fields that show qualitative changes based on device geometry. Our results not only provide insight into design considerations for microfluidic devices, but also a foundation for experimental elucidation of the concept of a capture radius. This long standing problem plays a key role in transport models for biological channels and nanopore sensors.

Automated summary

In this study, video microscopy was used to investigate the capture process of colloidal particles transported through microfluidic channels. By analyzing trajectories of particles and changing the height profiles of microfluidic devices, it was found that particle-particle interactions had little effect on the flow field. Furthermore, changing the reservoir geometry led to a transition between long-range attraction of particles and diffusion-to-capture behavior, resulting in qualitative changes in the concentration fields.