Microfluidics

Research that includes: 

  • Microvalves and fluidic flow control
  • Micropumps
  • Modeling of microfluidics
  • Particulate air monitoring
  • Flow Sensors
  • Capillary Pump Loop
  • Optoelectronic Transport & Tweezers

LPL11: Integrated Polymer Actuators in Microfluidic Systems

Nikolas Chronis
2004

To develop polymer-based actuators that can operate inside microfluidic systems and investigate their capabilities and limitations.

Project end date: 08/18/04

LPL20: A new pressure tranduction mechanism using elastomer micromolding

Cristian Ionescu-Zanetti
2004

Local on-chip pressure sensing is an important application of micro-electro-mechanical devices. Traditionaly, sensing has been done based on either piezoelectric material properties or capacitance measurements across a micromachined cavity.

Project end date: 08/18/04

LPL18: Nanopillar Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Gang L. Liu
2004

Nanopillar structures are fabricated in batch process with controllable geometry and pattern. After metallization, nanopillars will be used as Raman signal enhancing substrate. Through the surface modification of substrate with differently patterned nanopillars and the incorporation with micro/nano fluidics and MEMS scanning optics, high-sensitivity multiplexed biomolecule recognitions by SERS can be realized on a chip.

Project end date: 08/18/04

LPL28: Microfluidic-Based Two-Dimensional Protein Chip

Paul Hung
2004

Demonstration of a microfluidic device at a size of 3”x3” for two-dimensional separation of proteins. The goal is to provide a better tool for proteomics research with faster turnaround time, less reagent consumption, less bio-waste production, as well as better resolution to distinguish similar biomolecules.

Project end date: 08/30/04

APP42: Low-Power, Low-Leakage Microvalve

Jeremy Frank
2004

Design a valve suitable for integration into a portable, wearable microfluidic device. Wearable microfluidic devices have a very limited supply of working fluid and the use of this fluid must be very tightly budgeted to increase the life of the system. Microvalves incorporated into this system must have incredibly low leakage rates to reduce wasted fluid by increasing the precision that fluid is distributed to other parts of the system. Additionally, due to the meager amount of energy available from the system battery, the valves must have very low power consumption.

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APP41: Capillary Action Accumulation Device

Eric Hobbs
2004

The main goal of this project is the development of water-powered, osmotic micropumps to serve as clean, compact, and inexpensive power sources for bioassay and drug delivery applications. Osmosis is applied to design micropumps fabricated by MEMS-compatible processes for the integration with other microfluidic devices. The innovative osmotic micropumps will be able to serve as clean, compact, and inexpensive power sources for bioassay and drug delivery systems.

Project end date: 09/10/04

DL10: Clinical Testing of MEMS-Syringes

Raja Sivamani
Boris Stoeber
2004

MEMS syringes offer possibilities of painlessly injecting suspensions of fine drug powders and biocompatible liquids through an array of hollow microneedles into the epidermis under the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum serves as the main barrier to transdermal penetration and drug delivery. It is important to find microneedle design parameters that will maximize skin penetration and delivery of drugs into the epidermal skin layer. Eventually, microneedles may be adapted for medical injection applications such as diabetes treatment and vaccines.

Project end date:...

APP86: Microfluid Integrated Nano-Scale Biological Cell Probes

Jesse Herrick
2004

Biologists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are performing rigorous cell research, in which standard cell analysis techniques has provided limited information. The current analysis techniques are typically external observation based, however, it has become apparent that internal observation techniques may be required for a better and more thorough understanding of cellular function. The devices under investigation in this collaborative project between LLNL and UC Berkeley aim to help fulfill this need. The devices, which are based on both MEMS and NEMS technologies, will be...

APP63: Sickle-Cell Anemia Event Detection Sensor

Jennifer S. Wade
2004

The objective of this project is to design, fabricate and test a micro-flow channel that can be used to accurately simulate, detect, analyze and predict the rheological properties of Sickle Cells flowing through arteriole bifurcations of various diameters and lengths. One property of interest is the effect blood osmolarity variations has on Hb SS red cell compliance, as well as, the variation of hematocrit levels. Ultimately, this data and the trends extrapolated from it will be used to understand the differences between healthy and Sickle blood flow in arterioles. As well as,...

APP84: Microfluidic System for Cryogenically Storing and Reviving Biological Cells

Natalya Etina
2005

The project goal is the design, fabrication, and testing of the structural component in the cell-based environmental monitoring sensor. The structure will consist of a microfabricated array of cell wells as well as multi-level microfluidic manifolds to carry the necessary fluids to these wells. While the cells are being stored, liquid nitrogen would flow through channels around the wells and bring the cells to cryogenic temperatures. At room temperature, the functioning cells would be supplied with food and have their waste removed through two separate fluid lines under the wells....