Optical instrumentation toward resolving mixing in micro-channels

纳米和微观尺度上的流动对许多系统（如膜过滤、毛细血管血流和油藏）的行为和性能至关重要，了解这些流动对这些领域的发展至关重要。所提出的实验研究将应用测量科学的最新思想和技术来解决这些问题，特别是在这些小尺度上的混合过程的表征。将开发基于显微镜的成像技术，以测量三维空间（3D）上流速（3C）的三个分量作为时间（1D）的函数。主要目的是推导全时间分辨速度场（3C4D），这些技术也将扩展到测量流的标量特性，以解决混合问题。这类数据可用于研究新现象、验证数学模型和改进当前纳米和微器件的设计。因此，该计划的总体目标是发展基于图像的测量技术的科学，以解决纳米和微流体流动中的流体混合。作为该提案的一部分，将利用阿尔伯塔大学在纳米和微流体流动领域强大的合作研究社区，从而为正在开发的技术建立直接的相关性。这项工作将通过使用已开发的技术来量化流动现象，流动建模和设备设计，从而产生更广泛的影响。HQP的开发和培训是项目的重要组成部分，无论是对HQP知识和技能的发展，还是项目的成功。研究工作涉及工程设计、光子学与光学系统、测量科学、纳米与微流体学等多学科领域，并提高学生的项目管理和沟通能力。参与该项目的HQP将有一个合作的经验，这将是一个积极的开始，他们的研究事业。

_Flows on the nano and micro-scales are fundamental to the behavior and performance of a broad range of systems (e.g., membrane filtration, capillary blood flow and oil reservoirs), and understanding these flows is crucial to advancement in these fields. The proposed experimental research will apply the latest ideas and techniques in measurement science to these problems, in particular the characterizing of mixing processes on these small scales. Imaging techniques based on microscopy will be developed to measure the three components of velocity (3C) of the flow over the three dimensions of space (3D) as a function of time (1D). Principally aimed at deriving the full time resolved velocity field (3C4D), these techniques will also be extended to measure scalar properties of the flow in order to address mixing. Data of this type can be used to investigate new phenomenon, validate mathematical models and advance designs of current nano- and micro-devices. The overall aim of the program is therefore to develop the science of image-based measurement techniques for resolving fluid mixing in nano- and micro-fluidic flows._As part of this proposal, the strong collaborative research community in the area of nano- and micro-fluidic flows at the University of Alberta will be tapped into, thereby establishing immediate relevance for the techniques being developed. The work will have broader impact by using the developed techniques to quantify flow phenomena, flow modeling and device design. Development and training of HQP is an important part of the program, both in development of knowledge and skills of the HQP and for the success of the program. The research work is multidisciplinary covering the areas of engineering design, photonics and optical systems, measurement science and nano- and micro-fluidics, as well as improving the students' project management and communication skills. HQP involved in the project will have a collaborative experience that will be a positive start to their research careers.