Abstract:
Methods and devices are disclosed for providing the controlled formation of planar homogeneous or heterogeneous materials using microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a planar array of microfluidic channels is employed to produce a flowing liquid sheet having heterogeneous structure by spatially and temporally controlling dispensing of polymer liquid from selected microchannels. The resulting liquid sheet is solidified to produce a planar heterogeneous material that may be continuously drawn and/or fed from the plurality of microfluidic channels. The polymer liquid may include a payload that may be selectively incorporated into the heterogeneous structure. In some embodiments, the local material composition is controllable, thereby allowing control over local and bulk material properties, such as the permeability and the elasticity, and of creating materials with directionally dependent properties.
Abstract:
비정질 탄소막을 희생층으로 이용한 MEMS 디바이스 제조 방법이 제공된다. 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따르면, 하부 구조물을 형성한다. 상기 하부 구조물 상에 희생층으로서 비정질 탄소막을 형성한다. 상기 비정질 탄소막 상에 센서 구조를 포함하는 상부 구조물을 형성한다. 상기 하부 구조물과 상기 상부 구조물이 서로 이격되어 배치되도록 상기 비정질 탄소막을 제거한다.
Abstract:
The invention concerns at least one pillar in, or for use in, a microfluidic device wherein said pillar comprises, in cross-section, at least one particle abutment surface and an adjacent space that indents said pillar, or an adjacent groove that indents said pillar, to accommodate said particle; a plurality of such pillars arranged in an array; a method for separating particles in a fluid using said pillar, array or said device; and a diagnostic method involving the separation of particles from a fluid using said pillar, array or said device.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to fabrication of metallic microneedles 200 which involves two process steps: firstly providing a rough cut on a metallic block to form approximate microneedle shapes, and secondly providing a finishing cut on the rough-cut metallic block to achieve final microneedles with required surface smoothness and tip sharpness. Providing the rough cut can be achieved by using conventional manufacturing methods such as Electro- Discharge Machining (EDM) or Computerised Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining by first forming a rough cut a metallic block 500 of the microneedle array 600. The finishing cut is achieved by polishing the individual microneedles 720 on the rough-cut metallic block 500 to desired sharpness and surface finish. The microneedles 720 formed are partial or full pyramidal structures which normally have heights of 100 microns to 1,000 microns with sharp tips that can penetrate the skin painlessly and effectively. Hollow microneedles can be achieved by drilling a through hole on the solid microneedles.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of making through-substrate-vias in glass substrates. A first substrate (10) is provided on which a plurality of needles (11) protruding vertically from the substrate are made. A second substrate (14) made of glass is then provided. The substrates are located adjacent each other such that the needles on the first substrate face the second substrate. Heat is applied to a temperature where the glass softens, by heating the glass or the needle substrate or both. A force (F) is applied such that the needles on the first substrate penetrate into the glass to provide impressions in the glass. Finally, the first substrate is removed and material filling the impressions in the second substrate made of glass is provided. There is also provided a device, comprising a silicon substrate (100; 200). There is a cavity (102) in which a MEMS component (104) is accommodated, and a cap wafer (300) made of a material having a low dielectric constant, preferably glass. The cap wafer has through substrate vias of metal, and is bonded to the silicon substrate.
Abstract:
Low-cost and portable microfluidic systems are needed for cell migration research and Point of Care (POC) testing. This study introduces a low-cost and portable USB Microscope Microfluidic Chemotaxis Analysis System (UMCAS) for rapid analysis of cell chemotaxis studies. A standalone microfluidic gradient generator is also developed for rapid generation of chemical gradient in microfluidic device without need of any peripheral perfusion apparatus. A smart phone based application program was developed for the real-time remote monitoring of the migration data. This system is validated by observing the neutrophil migration in three different conditions: 1 ) medium control, 2) uniform IL-8 control, and 3) IL-8 gradient. The results show that neutrophils exhibit random migration in both medium and uniform IL- 8 control experiments, while they show strong directional migration to the IL-8 gradient. These results successfully validated the developed UMCAS system.
Abstract:
The various embodiments described herein relate to fabricating and using open microfluidic networks according to methods, systems, and devices that can be used in applications ranging from home-testing, diagnosis, and research laboratories. Open microfluidic networks allow the input, handling, and extraction of fluids or components of the fluid into or out of the open microfluidic network. Fluids can be inserted into an open microfluidic channel by using open sections of the open microfluidic network. Passive valves can be created in the microfluidic network, allowing the creation of logic circuits and conditional flow and volume valves. The fluid can be presented via the microfluidic network to diagnostic and analysis components. Fluids and components of the fluid can be extracted from the open microfluidic network via functional open sections that are easily interfaced with other microfluidic networks or common laboratory tools.