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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
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| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.00425 |
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| _version_ | 1866909716059258880 |
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| author | Yung, Maxx |
| author_facet | Yung, Maxx |
| contents | Developing an organoid computing platform from neurons in vitro demands stable, precisely controlled microenvironments. To address this requirement, we designed, simulated, and fabricated a microfluidic device featuring hexagonal wells ($34.64\,\mathrm{μm}$ side length) in a honeycomb array connected by $20\,\mathrm{μm}$ channels. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, validated by high mesh quality ($0.934$ orthogonal quality) and robust convergence, confirmed the architecture supports flow regimes ideal for ensuring cell viability. At target flow rates of $0.1$ - $1\,\mathrm{μL/min}$, simulations revealed the extrapolated pressure differential across the full $50{,}000\,\mathrm{μm}$ device remains within stable operating limits at $177\,\mathrm{kPa}$ (average) and $329\,\mathrm{kPa}$ (maximum). Photolithography successfully produced this architecture, with only minor corner rounding observed at feature interfaces. This work therefore establishes a computationally validated and fabricated platform, paving the way for experimental flow characterization and subsequent neural integration. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_00425 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of a Hexagonal Microfluidic Platform for Culturing Neurons Yung, Maxx Fluid Dynamics Biological Physics Neurons and Cognition Developing an organoid computing platform from neurons in vitro demands stable, precisely controlled microenvironments. To address this requirement, we designed, simulated, and fabricated a microfluidic device featuring hexagonal wells ($34.64\,\mathrm{μm}$ side length) in a honeycomb array connected by $20\,\mathrm{μm}$ channels. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, validated by high mesh quality ($0.934$ orthogonal quality) and robust convergence, confirmed the architecture supports flow regimes ideal for ensuring cell viability. At target flow rates of $0.1$ - $1\,\mathrm{μL/min}$, simulations revealed the extrapolated pressure differential across the full $50{,}000\,\mathrm{μm}$ device remains within stable operating limits at $177\,\mathrm{kPa}$ (average) and $329\,\mathrm{kPa}$ (maximum). Photolithography successfully produced this architecture, with only minor corner rounding observed at feature interfaces. This work therefore establishes a computationally validated and fabricated platform, paving the way for experimental flow characterization and subsequent neural integration. |
| title | Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of a Hexagonal Microfluidic Platform for Culturing Neurons |
| topic | Fluid Dynamics Biological Physics Neurons and Cognition |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.00425 |