Issue 3, 2025

Design of a magnetically responsive artificial cilia array platform for microsphere transport

Abstract

We present an innovative platform designed to mimic the mucociliary clearance system, an essential defense mechanism in the respiratory tract. Our system utilizes PDMS and iron powder to fabricate micro-ciliary arrays that dynamically respond to alternating magnetic fields. The cilia exhibit an asymmetric beating pattern under a cyclically varying magnetic field, which propels microspheres directionally in a fluid medium, simulating the movement of mucus. We use both experimental setups and numerical simulations to investigate factors that influence the efficiency of particle transport, such as cilia beating frequency, microsphere size, cilia density, and fluid viscosity. Our results elucidate the role of artificial cilia in surface cleaning processes and provide insights that enhance our understanding of mucociliary clearance. This novel experimental platform holds great promise for advancing research in respiratory health and microchannel cleaning technologies, and contributes to our ability to model and study human respiratory function in vitro.

Graphical abstract: Design of a magnetically responsive artificial cilia array platform for microsphere transport

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Nov 2024
Accepted
03 Dec 2024
First published
04 Dec 2024

Lab Chip, 2025,25, 330-342

Design of a magnetically responsive artificial cilia array platform for microsphere transport

Y. Qiu, X. Cai, X. Bian and G. Hu, Lab Chip, 2025, 25, 330 DOI: 10.1039/D4LC00981A

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