A thin-reflector microfluidic resonator for continuous-flow concentration of microorganisms: a new approach to water quality analysis using acoustofluidics

Abstract

An acoustofluidic device has been developed for concentrating vegetative bacteria in a continuous-flow format. We show that it is possible to overcome the disruptive effects of acoustic streaming which typically dominate for small target particles{,} and demonstrate flow rates compatible with the testing of drinking water. The device consists of a thin-reflector multi-layered resonator{,} in which bacteria in suspension are levitated towards a glass surface under the action of acoustic radiation forces. In order to achieve robust device performance over long-term operation{,} functional tests have been carried out to (i) maintain device integrity over time and stabilise its resonance frequency{,} (ii) optimise the operational acoustic parameters{,} and (iii) minimise bacterial adhesion on the inner surfaces. Using the developed device{,} a significant increase in bacterial concentration has been achieved{,} up to a maximum of ~60-fold. The concentration performance of thin-reflector resonators was found to be superior to comparable half-wave resonators.

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ORCID for Nick Harris: orcid.org/0000-0003-4122-2219

ORCID for Martyn Hill: orcid.org/0000-0001-6448-9448

ORCID for Peter Glynne-Jones: orcid.org/0000-0001-5684-3953

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