Optically enabled micro-total analysis systems

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A micro-total analysis system, or a lab-on-a-chip, needs actuators capable of performing the key tasks of a miniature fluidic device; which include pumping, sorting, mixing and analysis. The inherent non-invasive nature of optical techniques, combined with their scalability, mean that they are ideally suited to performing these tasks. In this proposed body of work, I will in my primary drive, develop a range of such optically enabled microfluidic actuators. The first of these devices will be an all optical microfluidic sorting technique. This technique will allow biological or other matter to be sorted or fractionated by criteria that include, size, shape and internal density. A second push of my work will be towards the development of optical identification techniques suited to a lab-on-chip, base primarily on the use of the optical sorting technique to identify lowoccurrence species such as non-metastatic cancer cells in human blood. In third activity in the proposed work I will the develop an optically driven microfluidic pump capable of pumping small volumes of analyte in a controlled manner. I will adapt the sorting and pumping technologies to get microfluidic mixing. In parallel to all these approaches I will be developing microfluidic chambers, suited to the optical techniques being used; the end goal of which is to integrate two or more of my novel microfluidic techniques into a single device.