A High Throughput Microfluidic Sensor for Real Time Health Monitoring of Rotating Machinery

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Abstract0968736Jiang ZhiUniversity of AkronThis project is to develop a miniaturized microfluidic sensor for real-time condition monitoring of rotating and reciprocating machinery via detecting metal wear debris in the machinery?s life blood, its lubrication oil. The proposed sensor will consist of an innovative debris separator based on surface acoustic standing waves that sorts debris particles by size and delivers them to appropriately-sized detectors, and a parallel array of inductive Coulter counting detectors that enables rapid analysis of a large volume of lubricants. This work is expected to lead to an advanced sensor that has high throughput, high sensitivity, high dynamic range and low cost. It will facilitate better maintenance scheduling for a variety of machinery including bearings, gearboxes, and turbomachinery, thereby significantly reducing the cost of machine operation. In addition, this project also aims to develop and deploy MEMS and sensing technology-related educational materials and contribute to motivating K-12 students and students from underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers. Undergraduate students will be recruited, with an emphasis on underrepresented minorities and women, to conduct research in this project. Through hands-on activities added to existing summer workshops, middle school and high school students and their teachers will be exposed to cutting-edge MEMS and advanced sensor technologies.