Surface-Driven Particle Dynamics: Sequential Synchronization of Colloidal Flow Attempted in a Static Fluidic Environment

The collective behavior of colloids in microsystems is characterized by precise micro-object control, broadening the applications of cargo manipulation in drug delivery, microfluidics, and nanotechnology. To further investigate this potential, we introduce a cargo-manipulating platform that utilizes micromagnetic patterns and fluid flow rather than conventional fluidic components. This platform, called the flowless micropump, comprises an encapsulating fluid system within a chip, containing both actuation particles (2.8 μm in diameter) and control targets, thereby eliminating external interactions. This platform enables two distinct modes of cargo manipulation: direct control of nonmagnetic cargo (e.g., MCF-7 and THP-1 cells) and indirect manipulation of particles (e.g., polymer particles) through secondary localized fluid flow. Direct manipulation is achieved via coordinated particle collisions, facilitated by an optimized guiding wall with a height of 25 μm. Conversely, indirect manipulation allows for high-speed control and mode change of individual targets. These manipulation events are achieved using two patterned structures: railway-track and connected half-disk (conductor) patterns. By employing a conductor pattern in conjunction with a railway-track pattern, precise and agile control of microcargo (MCF-7 and THP-1 cells and polymer bead clusters) was achieved at frequencies of 1-3 Hz and a magnetic field strength of 10 mT. This study establishes a programmable platform for designing flowless micropumps with diverse functionalities for various experimental purposes. By using colloidal flow and localized fluid flow generated by the shape of magnetic patterns and semi-three-dimensional (3D) structures, this platform holds significant promise for applications in drug screening, cell-cell interaction studies, and organoid-on-chip research.