Physicists suggest new way to measure speed in liquid micro-flows

Scientists from ITMO University developed a novel optical method of measuring reagent delivery rates for "labs on a chip." The method is based on a dynamic interaction between a nanoantenna and luminescent molecules as the distance between them affects light intensity. Processed mathematically, these light dynamics determine the flow speed. This method can also be used for measuring temperature and identifying flow types. The research was published in Laser & Photonics Reviews.

"Lab on a chip" is a tiny device that conducts chemical reactions, analysis or synthesis on a chip measuring only several square centimeters. It can be used for estimating concentrations of substances, carrying out diagnostics, or performing complex biochemical processes. Reagents are delivered via micron-diameter microtubules. The delivery rate affects the course of the reaction, so scientists are developing special sensors to monitor this variable.

ITMO University scientists developed a novel optical method for measuring the speed of liquid micro-flows. It is based on the Purcell Effect, which appears when luminescent molecules interact with a nanoantenna concentrating electromagnetic field. The effect describes the impact the distance to nanoantenna has on the luminescence of excited molecules. Monitoring how a solution containing luminescent molecules changes its radiation when moving past the nanoantenna helps determine its speed.

"Luminescent molecules emit light when excited by a laser pulse. However, the duration of this emission may vary depending on how far they are from the nanoantenna. We run a luminescent-molecule solution past the nanoantenna, irradiate the region near the nanoantenna with a short laser pulse, and record how the signal fades. After special processing, the analysis of how the signal fades in time allows us to understand how quickly the solution was moving," explains Alexey Kadochkin, research associate at ITMO University's International Laboratory of Nano-opto-mechanics.

Post-processing of the received fading signal helps scientists select components with different fading rates. The most intense component corresponds to radiation the solution emits when located farthest from the nanoantenna. At the same time, the fading rates spectrum contains components that correspond to the emission of molecules interacting with the nanoantenna. Establishing the position of these components helps measure the flow speed.

"This work still remains in the realm of theoretical, so we are really proud of the fact that it made the front cover. In the near future we plan to extend the method for measuring temperatures by recording the Brownian motion, learn how to distinguish between different flow types, and conduct experiments. As a result, we want to design a conclusive model for "lab on a chip" sensors," says Alexander Shalin, head of ITMO University's International Laboratory of Nano-opto-mechanics.