Micro-Fluidics Laboratory (MFL) Modules and Kits for Undergraduate Education

工程(56)这个项目正在开发和测试一套实验室模块和套件，允许工程和理科本科生探索微尺度的流体行为和微流体设备。这些新的学习材料被称为微流体实验室(MFL)模块和工具包，不仅允许本科生通过参与实验室课程来观看微型科学和工程事件，还提供了将科学和工程原理应用于微尺度现象并将其与宏观观察进行比较的机会。这些MFL模块和套件还帮助教师在快速发展的微流体领域获得新的知识和技能。总共有7个MFL模块和套件，4个初级模块和3个高级模块正在开发中，并通过4个课程进行测试。目前，微流控技术正在迅速推广，并被广泛应用于工业和研究的许多领域，从新的药物输送和临床诊断手段到消费电子产品的下一代无推进剂气雾剂和燃料电池。该项目正在通过开发和提供成套的综合实验室模块和工具包来解决当前工程课程中缺乏微流体学教育的问题。MFL模块和工具包使工程项目能够在其课程中提供微流体教育，增加了工程和理科学生在职业生涯形成初期接触新兴微流体领域的机会。

Engineering (56) This project is developing and testing a set of laboratory modules and kits that is allowing engineering and science undergraduate students to explore microscale fluid behaviors and microfluidic devices. These new learning materials, called Micro-Fluidics Laboratory (MFL) Modules and Kits, not only allow undergraduate students to see miniature science and engineering events through engaging laboratory classes, but also provide opportunities to apply science and engineering principles to microscale phenomena and compare them with macroscale observations. These MFL modules and kits also help faculty instructors acquire new knowledge and skills in the rapidly growing field of microfluidics. In total, 7 MFL modules and kits, 4 elementary and 3 advanced, are being developed and tested via 4 courses. At present, microfluidics technology is rapidly spreading and is being adapted widely to many areas of industry and research, from new means of drug delivery and clinical diagnosis to next-generation, propellant-free aerosols and fuel cells for consumer electronics. This project is addressing the lack of microfluidics education in the current engineering curricula by developing and providing a packaged suite of comprehensive laboratory modules and kits. The MFL modules and kits enable engineering programs to offer microfluidics education in their curricula, increasing the opportunities for engineering and science students to be exposed to the emerging field of microfluidics early in the formative years of their career.