A212
Course Coordinator: 
Amy Shen
Microfluidics
Description: 

The interface between engineering and miniaturization is among the most intriguing and active areas of inquiry in modern technology. The aim of this course is to illuminate and explore microfluidics as an interdisciplinary research area, with an emphasis on emerging microfluidics disciplines, including molecular assembly to bulk and device level scales, with applications in novel materials synthesis, bio-microtechnology and nanotechnology.

The course will begin by highlighting important fundamental aspects of fluid mechanics, scaling laws and flow transport at small length scales. We will examine the capillary-driven, pressure-driven, and electro-kinetic based microfluidics. We will also cover multi-phase flow, droplet-based microfluidics in microfluidics. This course will also illustrate standard microfabrication techniques, micro-mixing and pumping systems. 

Aim: 
To introduce students to fundamental fluid transport physics at the micron and nanometer scale for applications in micro/nanofluidic devices. This course will also illuminate and explore microfluidics as an interdisciplinary research area, with an emphasis on emerging microfluidics disciplines.
Course Content: 
  1. Introduction to microfluidics; Scaling analysis
  2. Low Reynolds number flows
  3. Pressure-driven microfluidics
  4. Capillary-driven microfluidics
  5. Microfabrication
  6. Diffusion in microfluidics
  7. Mixing in microfluidics
  8. Droplet microfluidics and 2-phase flows
  9. Bio-MEMs
Course Type: 
Elective
Credits: 
2
Assessment: 
Homework: 20%, Midterm Exam: 30%, Lab: 20%, Course Project: 30%
Text Book: 
Introduction to Microfluidics by Patrick Tabeling, 2010, Oxford University Press
Reference Book: 
Fundamentals and Applications of Microfluidics by Nam-Trung Nguyen and Steve Wereley, Artech House; 2002.
Micro- and Nanoscale Fluid Mechanics: Transport in Microfluidic Devices, by Brian Kirby, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Prior Knowledge: 

A good pass in B13 Fluid Mechanics is required pre-knowledge for A212. If you have taken Fluid Mechanics from your former B.S or M.S Universities, please contact Prof. Amy Shen directly to determine whether you are prepared to take A212.