Knowledge Articles

Pumpless Perfusion in Organ-on-Chip Devices Using Tesla Valves

In this interesting work, researchers from the University of Twente utilise Henniker’s HPT-200 plasma system in the development of a Tesla Valve-based pumpless flow system [1].  Pumpless perfusion is a method of moving fluids through a microfluidic or Organ-on-Chip system without using external pumps like syringe or peristaltic pumps.

Revealing Crystal Defects with Low-Dose SED and HPT‑100 Plasma Cleaning

Defects inside molecular crystals called dislocations can affect how materials perform in electronics, pharmaceuticals, or coatings. Until now, imaging these defects has been hard because the microscopes needed too much electron energy, which damages fragile organic crystals.

 

Delivering genetic material such as RNA or DNA into human cells is a central challenge in the development of next-generation medicines - from gene therapy to RNA-based vaccines. In the search for safer, more stable delivery platforms, researchers are increasingly turning to polymer brushes: nanoscale coatings made of densely packed, hair-like polymer chains tethered to a surface.

 

2D materials, are crystalline solids consisting of a single layer of atoms. These materials have unique properties due to their thickness being limited in one dimension, which makes them ideal for various applications including optoelectronics, energy generation, and high-performance composites. As an example, the most widely studied 2D material, graphene, has exceptional conductivity and is stronger than steel.

A recent preprint published on bioRxiv explores the structural organisation and selective packaging mechanisms of the influenza A virus genome using a high-throughput DNA-PAINT approach. Researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick analysed more than 10,000 individual virus particles, gaining insights into how influenza genome segments interact and assemble during viral replication.

A recent study from Loughborough University demonstrates the impact of organosilane surface modifications on cardiovascular implants. The research focuses on modifying surfaces with various silane groups such as amine, methyl, and thiol to selectively enhance endothelial cell growth while suppressing smooth muscle cell proliferation. This dual effect helps address two critical issues in cardiovascular implants: improving endothelialization and preventing thrombosis.

 

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Recent advancements in memristor technology highlight the potential of monolayer graphene electrodes in electronic devices. A recent study has successfully demonstrated the fabrication of a memristor featuring a monolayer graphene electrode directly deposited onto sapphire substrates using a commercially available metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) system. The incorporation of the Henniker HPT-100 plasma system in the fabrication process allows for batch production, accommodating up to 37 wafers simultaneously, showcasing a scalable approach to device manufacturing. 

Recent studies are shedding light on the effectiveness of advanced plasma technology in addressing one of today's critical environmental challenges: removing pharmaceutical contaminants from water. Pharmaceuticals like diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, and carbamazepine have become prevalent in aquatic environments, with traditional water treatment methods struggling to remove them fully. The Henniker Cirrus atmospheric plasma system has been tested in this area, and the results are extremely promising according to this recent study.

 

A recent scientific paper has explored cutting-edge techniques for enhancing the performance and biocompatibility of mechanical heart valves, reflecting broader advancements in the medical and biomedical industry. These efforts aim to address critical challenges associated with these life-saving devices, such as thrombosis, embolization, and structural degeneration.