Detection of Distributed Static and Dynamic Loads with Electrolyte-Enabled Distributed Transducers in a Polymer-Based Microfluidic Device

该奖项的目的是对基于聚合物的微流控设备的性能有一个基本的了解，该设备具有电解质启用的分布式传感器(EEDT)，可以检测分布式负载。这种EEDT装置的新颖之处在于它的配置，单个可变形的聚合物微结构与EEDT集成在一起，可以非常简单地构建，并允许使用单个设备进行分布式载荷检测。将采用标准的基于聚合物的微制造工艺，以确保其一次性和可负担性。该技术方法包括：1)对器件性能与其几何形状和电解液性质的关系进行实验研究；2)开发量化器件性能的理论框架；3)优化器件的超高空间分辨率和超高负载分辨率；以及4)使器件适应于生物材料和生物组织研究。这项研究的结果将使用于生物医学、外科、机器人和制造应用的小型化分布式负载传感器的开发成为可能。一次性、实惠、高性能的EEDT设备将给依赖分布式负载检测功能的智能系统和仪器、制造设备和机器人带来革命性的变化。因此，结合EEDT设备的系统将被用于早期诊断疾病、改善手术结果、缩短开发时间、提高粘弹性材料和生物材料的制造质量、实现工业自动化，并通过在危险环境中实现机器人操作来拯救生命。

This objective of this award is to develop a fundamental understanding of the performance of a polymer-based microfluidic device with Electrolyte-Enabled Distributed Transducers (EEDTs) that can detect distributed loads. The novelty of this EEDT device lies in its configuration, a single deformable polymer microstructure integrated with EEDTs, which can be built with great simplicity and allows the distributed-load detection using one single device. A standard polymer-based micro-fabrication process will be employed to ensure its disposability and affordability. The technical approach includes 1) experimental investigation of the device performance as a function of its geometry and electrolyte properties; 2) development of a theoretical framework for quantification of the device performance; 3) its optimization for ultra-high spatial resolution and ultra-high load resolution; and 4) its adaptation for biomaterial and biological tissue investigations. The results of this research will enable the development of miniaturized distributed-load sensors for biomedical, surgical, robotics, and manufacturing applications. Disposable, affordable, high-performance EEDT devices will revolutionize the intelligent systems and instruments, manufacturing equipment, and robots that rely on the functionality of distributed-load detection. Consequently, systems incorporating EEDT devices will be used to diagnose diseases at early stages, improve surgical outcomes, shorten development time, increase the manufacturing quality of viscoelastic materials and biomaterials, allow industrial automation, and save lives by enabling robotic operations in hazardous environments.