Microfluidics

There has been significant interest in applying Raman Spectroscopy on cellular analysis in recent years. Advanced optics has allowed very high resolution Raman signal measurement at the sub-cellular level, fueling the emerging field of Single-cell Raman Spectroscopy. The fact that Raman Spectroscopy/Imaging is in few ways superior to conventional fluorescence techniques enables novel ways of monitoring cell processes. Recently, multiple studies have reported the use of Raman Spectroscopy methods in detecting specific cell behaviors. However, an extensive quantitative study has yet to...

We report on the current status of device fabrication of a monolithic, micro-machined device able to generate sub-micron diameter (femtoliter) fluidic droplets. Such droplet-on-demand (DoD) devices are important for a wide range of maskless lithography and rapid prototyping technologies, including direct-write patterning on non-standard, highly topographical, or extremely temperature sensitive substrates. Printable circuitry from DoD devices can be generated in non-clean room, extreme, or dynamic conditions. The basic design of these DoD devices places a pressure source at the bottom...

The long-term objective of this project, along with BPN406, is to produce monodisperse nanocrystals through a microfluidic reactor. The microfluidic reactor will utilize the unique physical properties of colloidal suspension of liquid droplets in a surrounding immiscible inert liquid. This project intends to develop and produce the design from BPN406; specifically the coin structure to control the temperature profile and flow geometry to allow for flow focusing and the formation of uniform droplets. This will allow flow and temperature control, which would correlate to control over...

Nearly all proposed applications of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) will require significant quantities of high quality nanocrystals with tightly controlled properties. Microfluidic nanocrystal synthesis techniques have recently been explored as an alternative to conventional production methods because they could potentially increase production rates, if used in parallel, while maintaining superior product quality. However, conventional microfluidic reactor designs suffer from two principal limitations: an inability to maintain a uniform reaction environment and an...