Issue 18, 2017

Nanofluidic crystals: nanofluidics in a close-packed nanoparticle array

Abstract

With various promising applications demonstrated, nanofluidics has been of broad research interest in the past decade. As nanofluidics matures from a proof of concept towards practical applications, it faces two major barriers: expensive nanofabrication and ultra-low throughput. To date, the only material that enables nanofabrication-free, high-throughput, yet precisely controllable nanofluidic systems is the close-packed nanoparticle array, i.e. nanofluidic crystals. Recently, significant progress in nanofluidics has been made using nanofluidic crystals, including high-current ionic diodes, high-power energy harvesters, efficient biomolecular separation, and facile biosensors. Nanofluidic crystals are seen as a key to applying nanofluidic concepts to real-world applications. In this review, we introduce the key concepts and models in nanofluidic crystals, summarize the fabrication methods, and discuss the various applications of nanofluidic crystals in depth, highlighting their advantages in terms of simple fabrication, low cost, flexibility, and high throughput. Finally, we provide our perspectives on the future of nanofluidic crystals and their potential impacts.

Graphical abstract: Nanofluidic crystals: nanofluidics in a close-packed nanoparticle array

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
03 6月 2017
Accepted
20 7月 2017
First published
20 7月 2017

Lab Chip, 2017,17, 3006-3025

Nanofluidic crystals: nanofluidics in a close-packed nanoparticle array

W. Ouyang, J. Han and W. Wang, Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 3006 DOI: 10.1039/C7LC00588A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements