Computational Design of Microfluidic Structures

微流体结构的计算设计

• 批准号: 1016381
• 负责人: Mark Sussman
• 金额: $ 30.03万
• 依托单位: Florida State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-08-15 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1016381&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Computational; Design; Microfluidic; Structures

This research project will develop new numerical techniques for the optimization/design and simulation of multi-phase/multi-fluid flow in microfluidic devices. Novel techniques will be developed for modeling the effect of surface tension and surfactants which will significantly reduce the simulation time in comparison to state-of-the-art methods. Novel, non-intrusive/derivative-free optimization techniques shall be developed for controlling the creation of droplets and minimizing droplet re-coalescence."Lab on a chip" devices hold great promise for advancing research in proteomics and diagnostics and drug discovery. One of the most frequently used microfluidic operations is the separation of aqueous reagents into droplets. For example, these droplets can be stored in a droplet trap array and then released/processed at a later time. Another operation of microfluidic devices is the creation of emulsions. A better understanding of how surfactants and microfluidic device geometries affect droplet rupture and re-coalescence is fundamental in understanding the emulsification process. Besides being an enabling technology for the design of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices, numerical methods that aid in the design process associated with multi-phase flow and/or surfactants have applications in ship hull design, ink-jet devices, design of off-shore structures, design of beach erosion prevention devices, and the design and application of dispersants in order to break up oil emulsions (oil slicks) at air/water interfaces.

本研究项目将为微流控器件中多相/多流体流动的优化设计和数值模拟开发新的数值技术。将开发新的技术来模拟表面张力和表面活性剂的影响，与最先进的方法相比，这将显著减少模拟时间。应开发新的、非侵入性/无导数的优化技术，以控制液滴的产生并最大限度地减少液滴的重新结合。“芯片实验室”设备在推进蛋白质组学、诊断和药物发现方面具有巨大的前景。最常用的微流控操作之一是将含水试剂分离成液滴。例如，这些液滴可以存储在液滴捕捉器阵列中，然后在稍后释放/处理。微流控装置的另一种操作是制造乳状液。更好地了解表面活性剂和微流控装置的几何结构如何影响液滴破裂和重新结合是理解乳化过程的基础。除了作为微流控芯片实验室设备设计的一项使能技术外，有助于多相流和/或表面活性剂相关设计过程的数值方法还可应用于船体设计、喷墨设备、近海结构设计、海滩防侵蚀设备设计以及分散剂的设计和应用，以便在空气/水界面分解油乳剂(浮油)。