Fundamentals and Applications of Microfluidics

Advancements in the study of microfluidic components and systems have created a new class of tools and devices. These devices are convenient platforms to study chemical and biochemical analysis and, as a consequence, applications in biology have been on the rise. In this course we introduce the science and technology of miniaturization and its applications in creating microfluidic devices. We discuss methods, tools, and measuring devices to create microfluidic systems. Different types of lithography methods are presented with hands-on experiences for creating simple devices. We discuss fluid flow and fluid characteristics in microchannels as well as the components for controlling fluid flow. We also discuss applications to cellular analysis including nucleic acids analysis, DNA hybridization and sequencing, and protein analysis. Local students have the opportunity to fabricate several simple devices.