On-Chip Transport of Biological Fluids in MEMS Devices

The objective of the project is to develop, validate and demonstrate a simulation tool for the design of microfluidic systems in biological Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) devices. The Phase I work will develop models for the flow of biological fluids in components (such as channels, valves, pumps, mixers and dosing systems) or microfluidic systems. The models will be coupled with the general-purpose commercial code, CFD-ACE, to facilitate the simulation of complex geometries and boundary conditions. The consultant for the proposed study is Dr. Ray Mariella, head of the Microtechnology group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The model will be demonstrated on a selected microfluidic system component in collaboration with Dr. Mariella's group. The model will be used to identify operating conditions that reduce/eliminate damage to cellular material and DNA strands during transport through the microfluidic system. The model predictions will be verified by comparing with experimental data from LLNL. In Phase II, the models will be further refined, validated and demonstrated on a specific MEMS device in collaboration with a manufacturer. Additionally, the developed models will be incorporated in a simulation environment consisting of geometry/grid generation software, scientific data visualization software, user friendly graphical user interfaces (GUI), and databases for properties of biological fluids and materials. The MEMS area is poised for explosive growth in the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology. The availability of a commercial simulation tool will enable the design of cost-efficient, high performance microdevices for quick and reliable detection of biological and chemical toxins for military (e.g., biological/chemical warfare) as well as civilian (e.g., environmental pollution hazards) applications.