Description
Microfluidics is a field of engineering concerned with the usage and processing of small quantities of fluids using channels with dimensions ranging from tens to hundreds of microns. Microfluidic devices take advantage of small sample sizes to detect and separate minute concentration gradients. Microfluidics are increasing in importance with application in the fields of artificial photosynthesis, lab-on-a-chip, biodefense, molecular analysis, molecular biology, tissue engineering, and microelectronics. The overall goal of my research is to determine the capabilities of a particular 3D printer, the Form2, for manufacturing microfluidic devices. As a part of this larger goal I will characterize the microscale fabrication capabilities of the Form2 3D printer, identify optimal parameters for fabricating micro scale features with high degrees of precision, accuracy, and reliability, develop a standard processes for the prototyping of microfluidic devices, and fabricate a droplet generator, a common device used in lab on a chip applications such as DNA sequencing.
3D Printing Applications in Microfluidics
Microfluidics is a field of engineering concerned with the usage and processing of small quantities of fluids using channels with dimensions ranging from tens to hundreds of microns. Microfluidic devices take advantage of small sample sizes to detect and separate minute concentration gradients. Microfluidics are increasing in importance with application in the fields of artificial photosynthesis, lab-on-a-chip, biodefense, molecular analysis, molecular biology, tissue engineering, and microelectronics. The overall goal of my research is to determine the capabilities of a particular 3D printer, the Form2, for manufacturing microfluidic devices. As a part of this larger goal I will characterize the microscale fabrication capabilities of the Form2 3D printer, identify optimal parameters for fabricating micro scale features with high degrees of precision, accuracy, and reliability, develop a standard processes for the prototyping of microfluidic devices, and fabricate a droplet generator, a common device used in lab on a chip applications such as DNA sequencing.