LEGO blocks used to study nanoscale arrays

BALTIMORE, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Johns Hopkins University engineers are using Lego blocks to visualize the nanoscale behavior of particles, cells and molecules too small to be seen.

The researchers said they arrange Lego pieces shaped like pegs to re-create microscopic activity taking place inside lab-on-a-chip devices at a scale they can more easily observe.

Scientists said lab-on-a-chip devices, also known as microfluidic arrays, are commonly used to sort tiny samples by size, shape or composition, but the minuscule forces at work at such a small magnitude are difficult to measure.

To solve the problem the engineers, led by Assistant Professors Joelle Frechette and German Drazer of the university's Institute for NanoBio Technology, used beads just a few millimeters in diameter, an aquarium filled with glycerol and the LEGO pieces arranged on a LEGO board. They said their observations could offer clues on how to improve the design and fabrication of lab-on-a-chip technology.

The study that included graduate students Manuel Balvin and Tara Iracki, as well as undergraduate Eunkyung Sohn, is reported in the Aug. 14 issue of the journal Physical Review Letters.