microfluidics

Question 1

Which of the following fields does NOT contribute to the development of microfluidics?
a) Nanotechnology
b) Geology
c) Biochemistry
d) Engineering

Answer 1

b) Geology

Question 2

What is the most accurate definition of microfluidics?
a) The study of fluids at the nanoscale.
b) The manipulation and control of fluids in volumes ranging from microliters to picoliters.
c) The design and fabrication of miniaturized devices for chemical analysis.
d) The application of microelectronics in biological systems.

Answer 2

b) The manipulation and control of fluids in volumes ranging from microliters to picoliters.

Question 3

What does the term “Lab-on-a-Chip” (LOC) refer to?
a) A portable laboratory for conducting field research.
b) A miniaturized device that integrates analytical or bioanalytical techniques.
c) A computer chip designed to simulate biological processes.
d) A method for culturing cells in three-dimensional environments.

Answer 3

b) A miniaturized device that integrates analytical or bioanalytical techniques.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a key area where microfluidics and biology intersect?
a) Development of biocompatible materials like PDMS
b) Creation of protein patterns for cell studies
c) Construction of tissue or organ models for drug testing
d) Design of large-scale fermentation systems

Answer 4

d) Design of large-scale fermentation systems

Question 5

What distinguishes fluid flow in microfluidic systems from that in macro environments?
a) The laws of physics governing fluid flow are different at the microscale.
b) Miniaturization introduces unique characteristics that can influence fluid behavior.
c) Microfluidic systems always exhibit turbulent flow.
d) Surface tension has no impact on fluid flow in microchannels.

Answer 5

b) Miniaturization introduces unique characteristics that can influence fluid behavior.

Question 6

What is the significance of a low Reynolds number in microfluidics?
a) It indicates unpredictable and chaotic fluid flow.
b) It suggests the presence of significant turbulence.
c) It signifies smooth and predictable laminar flow.
d) It implies high fluid velocity within the microchannels.

Answer 6

c) It signifies smooth and predictable laminar flow.

Question 7

Which force plays a crucial role in moving fluids through microfluidic systems?
a) Gravity
b) Inertia
c) Capillary forces
d) Centrifugal force

Answer 7

c) Capillary forces

Question 8

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly affect fluid flow in microfluidic devices?
a) Surface roughness of the channel walls
b) Presence of suspended particles comparable in size to the channel dimensions
c) The color of the fluid being used
d) The three-dimensional patterning within the microchannels

Answer 8

c) The color of the fluid being used

Question 9

Besides gravity, what other mechanism governs fluid flow on a microfluidic chip?
a) Magnetic forces
b) Electrostatic repulsion
c) Capillary fill
d) Vacuum suction

Answer 9

c) Capillary fill

Question 10

Which of the listed options is NOT an advantage of Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) devices?
a) Reduced consumption of fluid samples
b) Faster analysis speeds due to shorter diffusion distances
c) Increased risk of contamination due to open systems
d) Potential for parallel processing, enabling high-throughput analysis

Answer 10

c) Increased risk of contamination due to open systems

Question 11

What is a crucial component of a microfluidic system for introducing samples?
a) An outlet port
b) A mixing chamber
c) An inlet
d) A detection sensor

Answer 11

c) An inlet

Question 12

Which material is known for its excellent optical properties but poses challenges in machining and cost?
a) Glass
b) Silicon
c) PDMS
d) Polystyrene

Answer 12

a) Glass

Question 13

Which of the following polymers is characterized by its optical transparency and flexibility, making it suitable for microfluidic applications?
a) PET
b) PMMA
c) PDMS
d) PVC

Answer 13

c) PDMS

Question 14

What is an advantage of using polymers in microfluidic device fabrication?
a) They are generally expensive to produce.
b) They tend to have complex integration procedures.
c) They offer ease of production and low cost.
d) They exhibit strong bonding characteristics, preventing leakage.

Answer 14

c) They offer ease of production and low cost.

Question 15

Which fabrication method utilizes strong chemicals to create deep structures on a substrate?
a) Photolithography
b) Dry etching
c) Laser cutting
d) Wet etching

Answer 15

d) Wet etching

Question 16

Which technique involves spinning a photoresist onto a substrate and using light to define patterns for microfluidic channels?
a) Micromilling
b) Photolithography
c) Laminate-based techniques
d) Casting

Answer 16

b) Photolithography

Question 17

What is the principle behind hot embossing in microfluidic device fabrication?
a) Cutting patterns into thin materials using pre-designed steel casts.
b) Injecting molten plastic into a mold cavity to create identical parts.
c) Using a laser to create microstructures on a polymer substrate.
d) Pressing a heated polymer substrate against a patterned mold to transfer features.

Answer 17

d) Pressing a heated polymer substrate against a patterned mold to transfer features.

Question 18

Which replication technique involves pouring a liquid polymer material into a mold to create microfluidic structures?
a) Injection molding
b) Casting
c) Hot embossing
d) Die cutting

Answer 18

b) Casting

Question 19

What is a distinctive feature of the “Fluidic Factory” mentioned in the lecture?
a) It utilizes glass as the primary material for device fabrication.
b) It is a commercially available 3D printer specifically designed for creating microfluidic devices.
c) It employs traditional machining techniques for microchannel creation.
d) It is primarily used for research purposes and is not commercially available.

Answer 19

b) It is a commercially available 3D printer specifically designed for creating microfluidic devices.

Question 20

What material does the “Fluidic Factory” use to create fluidically sealed microfluidic devices?
a) PDMS
b) Silicon
c) Cyclic olefin polymer (COC)
d) Polystyrene

Answer 20

c) Cyclic olefin polymer (COC)