Sorting microparticles by orientation using wedged-fin and railed microfluidics

We present a new method for sorting directionally-oriented microparticles in a microfluidic channel. During the process of injecting the microparticles into a microfluidic channel, directionally-oriented microparticles are disordered, floating freely in the solution. In order to arrange microparticles where proper directional orientation is required, two sorting methods can be used with respect to the microparticle´s rotation and flip. For sorting microparticles based on their rotation, we used a lean wedge shaped fin on the microparticles and a Y-shaped railed microfluidic channel containing a groove on the top of the channel. For sorting according to flip, we used two grooves on the top and bottom of the microfluidic channel, and rectangular fins on the microparticles. Thus, we have demonstrated simple direction-oriented fluidic assembly, allowing for two plane orientation of prefabricated microparticles injected into a microfluidic channel.