1. 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 analysis
S. Gribbin, B. Andlauer, I. Maguire1, B. Heery1, C. Nwankire2, RJ. Ducreé1 and F. Regan1.
1 Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
2 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.
5
1
2
4
Design
The designs were carried out on solidworks. Designing each of the
multilayers individualily then combining them together to get full
image
Testing
The 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 through
Fig 4 spin stand
Fig 5 CCD image of dic on stand