Microfluidic Finite State Machine Controller

微流控有限状态机控制器

• 批准号: 1102397
• 负责人: Elliot Hui
• 金额: $ 29.96万
• 依托单位: University of California-Irvine
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-05-01 至 2015-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1102397&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Microfluidic; Finite; State; Machine; Controller

i. Objective:The objective of this program is to construct a system-on-a-chip that integrates a digital microcontroller together with fluid handling elements such as valves, pumps, and mixers on a single monolithic device. The key advance will be the development of a digital logic microcontroller that is built entirely out of microfluidic valves and channels rather than electronics. Microfluidic computing obviates the need for transduction between the electrical and fluidic domains, enabling all components to be fabricated in parallel in a single process that is amenable to low-cost manufacturing techniques such as injection molding. Specifically, a finite-state-machine controller will autonomously drive fluid-handling operations such as metering, mixing, and timed incubation, relying simply on a moderate pressure differential for power.ii. Intellectual MeritThe intellectual merit is the pressing need to reduce the complexity, cost, size, and power consumption of integrated microfluidic systems. This will enable the widespread deployment of lab-on-a-chip systems, transforming the landscape of medical diagnostics as well as laboratory research. While there have been previous examples of microfluidic digital logic, an autonomous microcontroller has yet to be reported, thus this project also represents an important advance in unconventional computing.iii. Broader ImpactsThe broader impacts are the potential for drastically improved access to medical diagnostics and the consequent advances in public health in both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, this program will train scientists at the important interface between computer engineering and life sciences.

I.目标：该计划的目标是构建一个片上系统，该系统将数字微控制器与流体处理元件（如阀门，泵和混合器）集成在单个单片设备上。关键的进步将是数字逻辑微控制器的开发，该微控制器完全由微流体阀和通道而不是电子器件组成。微流控计算消除了对电气和流体域之间的转换的需要，使得所有组件能够在单个过程中并行制造，该过程适合于低成本制造技术，例如注塑成型。具体来说，有限状态机控制器将自主驱动流体处理操作，例如计量、混合和定时孵育，仅依赖于适度的功率压差。ii.智力价值智力价值是迫切需要降低集成微流体系统的复杂性，成本，尺寸和功耗。这将使芯片实验室系统的广泛部署成为可能，改变医学诊断和实验室研究的格局。虽然以前已经有微流体数字逻辑的例子，但自主微控制器尚未报道，因此该项目也代表了非常规计算的重要进展。更广泛的影响更广泛的影响是有可能大大改善医疗诊断的可及性，从而在发达国家和发展中国家的公共卫生方面取得进展。此外，该计划将培养科学家在计算机工程和生命科学之间的重要接口。