Lecture 4 Flashcards
What is Microfluidics
The control, behavior, and understanding of fluids in the pico- to microliter range.
What are MEMS?
MicroElectroMechanical Systems, integrating mechanical and electrical components at a micro-scale.
What is a Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC
Devices designed to miniaturize analytical or bioanalytical techniques and integrate them into a microfabricated format.
What are the four parents of Microfluidics?
Molecular Chemical Analysis, Biodefense, Molecular Biology, and Microelectronics.
What is the significance of low Reynolds number in Microfluidics?
It indicates low turbidity and predictable flow, essential for fluid dynamics in microfluidic channels
Name three variables affecting fluid flow in microfluidic systems
Surface characteristics, 3-D patterning, and suspended particles.
What drives fluid movement in microfluidic systems
Capillary forces, where adhesive molecular forces are stronger than cohesive intermolecular forces
What are the two types of fluid flow in microfluidic systems
Laminar flow (Re < 2300) and turbulent flow (Re > 4000).
List three advantages of LOC devices
Low fluid volume consumption, high analysis speed, and compactness.
What are the three main components of a microfluidic system?
Method for sample introduction (inlet), methods for moving and mixing fluid samples, and methods of detection.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using glass in microfluidic
Good optical properties, biocompatibility, surface characteristics. Disadvantages: Costly, machining issues.
What is PDMS and why is it significant in microfluidics
Poly(dimethylsiloxane), an optically transparent, soft elastomer used for its biocompatibility and ease of fabrication.
: What are the properties of PET
Moisture and chemical resistant, shatterproof.
: What are the properties of PMMA
UV and abrasion resistant, shatterproof, hardness, stiffness.
What are the two main groups of polymer micromachining techniques?
Direct techniques (e.g., photolithography, etching) and replication techniques (e.g., casting, injection molding).
What is photolithography
Spinning a photoresist onto a substrate, heating to remove solvents, and using the photolithographic process to create microstructures.
What is etching?
Using chemicals (wet etching) or reactive ions (dry etching) to remove material and create microstructures.
What is laser cutting
Writing microstructures onto a polymer substrate using various types of lasers.
What is micromilling?
Creating microscale features via cutting tools that remove bulk material.
What are laminate-based techniques
Using thin layers of polymer films with adhesive backing, activated by heat or pressure.
What is casting in replication techniques?
Replicating microstructures in molds to define features.
What is injection molding
: Injecting molten plastic into a cavity to manufacture many identical parts.
What is hot embossing (imprint lithography)?
Patterning a material against a mold or stamp with a relief pattern, heating, contacting, cooling, and releasing
