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Electrokinetics Models for Micro- and Nano-Fluidic Impedance Sensors

Microfluidics- and nanofluidics-based impedance sensors play an important role in the identification of toxic industrial chemicals and pathogens in the biodetection and biodefense arena, but their efficient modeling and design continues to be a challenge.

Principle of micro- and nano-impedance-based chemical sensors (a) Microstrip design (b) Coplanar design (c) Equivalent circuit model

Exposure to toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and pathogens has been acknowledged to pose a significant risk to mission capability and warfighter health. Due to their salient fieldability, microfluidics- and nanofluidics-based impedance sensors are increasingly finding favor in the biodetection and biodefense arena. However, their efficient modeling and design continues to be a challenge.

Analytical models describe the electric field distribution around the sense electrodes without consideration of the electrokinetic transport. Traditional equivalent circuit models, constructed by sets of primitive Differential-Algebraic Equations (DAEs), used to process and interpret the experimentally measured electrical impedance data are less useful for sensor design, in particular for nano-fluidic sensors that can feature overlapped electric double layers (EDLs). Numerical analysis approaches (e.g., finite element and finite difference) have also been utilized for high-fidelity analysis, design, and interpretation of impedance sensors with the focus on a single suspension cell.

In this context, high-fidelity models were used to resolve the electrokinetic transport process at the micro- and nano-scale and to interrogate the sensor performance subject to the variations in design parameters (such as medium concentration and conductivity, microchannel feature sizes, and fluidic manipulation). The models were verified by experimental data and can be used for fast, accurate analysis and design of micro- and nano-impedance sensors. The modeling framework presented here can be utilized to guide sensor design and protocol development of biodetection technologies, and also to interpret the experimental data/ observations for technological refinement.

The accompanying figure illustrates the principle of impedance-based molecular detection. The solution containing the analytes of interest is introduced into a microfluidic or nanofluidic environment (a). A pair of electrodes is energized with an AC field (characterized by a voltage and frequency). The induced current is related to the applied voltage and impedance of the system, which in turn is dependent on the composition of the solution (presence or absence of target agents).

In an analogy to electrical circuit theory, we can consider impedance in the solution as a combination of resistance and capacitance, with the solution acting as a resistor (Rsol), while the Electric Double Layer (EDL) at the electrode surface and the solution in the channel act as capacitors (CDL and Csol). The equivalent electrical circuit and resistor-capacity connection is illustrated in Figure (c). The concentrations of analytes and electrolytes impact the impedance in two ways: (1) Resistivity (or resistance) of the solution is a function of its electrical conductivity and, hence, depends on electrolyte and analyte concentrations; (2) EDL capacitance is a function of double layer thickness (which in turn is a function of electrolyte concentration) and surface charges at the electrode. Therefore, when a sample with different ionic compositions is flowed through the system, it changes both the EDL capacitance and the solution resistance. The changes are reflected in the form of a disturbance (called “differential current”) to the induced base current.

This work was done by Yi Wang, Hongjun Song, Ketan Bhatt, and Kapil Pant of CFD Research Corporation; Monserrate C. Roman of NASA Marshal Space Flight Center; and Eric Webster, William Diffey, and Paul Ashley for the Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) here under the DAQ, Testing & Sensors category. ARDEC-0008

Topics:
Aerospace Biohazards Biomass Chemicals Data Acquisition Defense industry Design Hazardous materials Hazards and emergency operations Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Sensors Sensors and actuators Simulation and modeling
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Electrokinetics Models for Micro and Nano Fluidic Impedance Sensors

(reference ARDEC-0008) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine

    This article first appeared in the August, 2022 issue of Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine (Vol. 7 No. 5).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document presents a comprehensive study on microfluidics- and nanofluidics-based impedance sensors, emphasizing their critical role in the detection of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and pathogens, particularly in the fields of biodetection and biodefense. The introduction highlights the challenges associated with the efficient modeling and design of these sensors, which are essential for ensuring mission capability and warfighter health.

    The authors introduce high-fidelity models that resolve electrokinetic transport processes at micro- and nano-scales. These models are designed to capture the effects of various design parameters, such as medium concentration, electric conductivity, feature sizes, and fluidic manipulation, on sensor performance. The document outlines the limitations of traditional analytical models and equivalent circuit models, which often fail to account for the complexities of electrokinetic transport, especially in nanofluidic sensors where electric double layers (EDLs) may overlap.

    The paper is structured into several sections. Section 2 focuses on sensor design, detailing the principles of impedance-based molecular detection. It describes how a solution containing target analytes is introduced into a microfluidic or nanofluidic environment, where electrodes energized with an alternating current (AC) field measure the induced current. This current is influenced by the impedance of the system, which varies with the composition of the solution, including the presence of target agents.

    Section 3 presents an analysis of pathogen impedance sensors, showcasing a specific design that utilizes a conducting fluid (phosphate buffer saline) over a surface with electrodes and captured microbial cells. The design employs hydrodynamic focusing techniques to enhance detection capabilities.

    The document concludes with a summary of the findings, reiterating the importance of the developed models for guiding sensor design and protocol development in biodetection technologies. The models are validated through experimental data, demonstrating their utility for fast and accurate analysis and design of novel micro- and nano-fluidic impedance sensors.

    Overall, this research contributes significantly to the understanding and advancement of impedance sensors, providing a foundation for future developments in the detection of hazardous substances and pathogens. The findings are expected to facilitate technological refinement and improve the effectiveness of biodetection strategies.

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