The Beaufort Marine Research Award is carried out under the Sea Change Strategy and the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation (2006-2013), with the support of the Marine Institute, funded under the Marine Research Sub-Programme of

the National Development Plan 2007–2013.

Development of a centrifugal platform for microfluidic analysisS. Gribbin, B. Andlauer, I. Maguire1, B. Heery1, C. Nwankire2, RJ. Ducreé1 and F. Regan1.

1 Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 92 MESTECH, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

DIT Supervisor: Dr Cathal Flynn

Introduction: In recent years the development of centrifugal platforms for microfluidic analysis has been of keen interest from many science industries. Its proven to be very cost effective and accurate in the biological and medical industries.[1] . My placement revolved around the designing, manufacturing and testing of such a device. The platform is a multilayer system consisting of polymethyl meta acrylate(PMMA) and a pressure sensitive adhesive(PSA)[2]. The platform is designed to pass samples from microchannel to reservoirs by manipulating fluid mechanics under a centrifugal force [1]. The reservoirs are coated with a reagent for test sample to interact. The reaction can be observed using a series of sensors. [1] – The origins and the future of microfluidics George M. Whitesides1[2]--] A portable centrifugal analyser for liver function screening

Manufacturing

The PMMA was cut out on a Epilogoue CO2 laser laser . PSA was cut out using Graphtec knife cutter. Files from designs are extracted into DXF files to give cutter dimensions

Conclusion:The main objective of this project was to develop a centrifugal platform suitable for microfluidic analysis. To achieve this I designed a platform using solidworks. Extracting files I successfully manufactured the suitable layers for the assembly of the disc. Finally the assembled disc was tested and passed its structure integrity test on the spin stand. This meant it would be suitable to pass a microfluid sample through and analyse it thoroughly.

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Design

The designs were carried out on solidworks. Designing each of the multilayers individualily then combining them together to get full

image

TestingThe platform was tested using a spinstand. The disc is spun very fast and monitored using a CCD and strobe light to ensure phase. The platform is monitored and the integrity of the disc is observed

Fig1 Lab on a disc (LOAD)

Fig2 Lab on a chip (LOAC)

Fig 3 . Manufactered layers for LOAD

Using a colored dye we could clearly determine the velocity at which the sample is pushed throughFig 4 spin stand Fig 5 CCD image of dic on stand