THESIS
2017
xxv, 132 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm
Abstract
Microfluidic system has been growing rapidly and become an exciting research area,
which is also referred to lab-on-a-chip science and technology, since it was introduced few
decades ago. Because its unique physical characteristics, low consumption of reagents, small
size that enable portability and high integration, microfluidic system has demonstrated
remarkable capability to explore studies that cannot be easily performed in “macro” laboratory
and shown great potential. However, challenges still exist. This thesis is focused on the
challenges related to fabrication of microfluidic systems and exploration of their biological and
environmental applications.
First, a protocol was developed to apply 3D printing, instead of conventional photo
lithography, to produce masters for s...[
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Microfluidic system has been growing rapidly and become an exciting research area,
which is also referred to lab-on-a-chip science and technology, since it was introduced few
decades ago. Because its unique physical characteristics, low consumption of reagents, small
size that enable portability and high integration, microfluidic system has demonstrated
remarkable capability to explore studies that cannot be easily performed in “macro” laboratory
and shown great potential. However, challenges still exist. This thesis is focused on the
challenges related to fabrication of microfluidic systems and exploration of their biological and
environmental applications.
First, a protocol was developed to apply 3D printing, instead of conventional photo
lithography, to produce masters for soft-lithographic fabrication of PDMS microfluidic
systems. We characterized this method and demonstrated fabrication of several functional 3D
PDMS microfluidic systems in one step. Second, a capillary-assisted on-chip pressure sensor was presented to monitor localized and dynamic pressure changing in microfluidic systems.
We demonstrated fabrication and integration of this sensor as well as performed thorough
characterization in five aspects. Third, a microfluidic circulatory system with a biomimetic
pumping system was created to closely mimic human four-chamber heart and unidirectional
systemic circulation in vitro. With capillary-assisted on-chip pressure sensor, it can generate
physiological blood pressure profiles and enable cell study of response to mechanical forces.
Forth, a microfluidic system with staggered herringbone mixers (SHMs) was reported to
efficiently remove particulate matter (PM) in the air pollution. With microvortices generated
by SHMs, it can increase collision between PM particles and channel surface and remove most
of PM
2.5 with low pressure drop.
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