Application of Microfluidic Techniques to Experimental Research of Engineering Students

Experimental research is a key part of student projects in many engineering education areas. Modern research methods often require expensive equipment and a well-equipped laboratory to obtain robust and reproducible results. A good alternative for student research is microfluidics. It provides a fast and cost-effective overview of chemical engineering processes such as diffusion, convection, reactions, and phase separation. The purpose of this work was to develop a microfluidic practicum for a Master's program in chemical engineering and test it with students. The microfluidic technique selected for this research is measurement of diffusion coefficients of various soft matter systems, such as polymers, surfactants and quantum dots T-sensor type microfluidic chips. Such a technique is a valuable tool for students pursuing degrees in nanotechnology, biotechnology, or polymer engineering. Two experimental practicums were developed for engineering students based on microfluidic technology and tested successfully with students. Students obtained reproducible experimental results that are in good agreement with conventional methods. These practicums offer students an overview of chemical synthesis, convection, and diffusion. To evaluate diffusive characteristics of soft matter, students work with a simple tool that is cheaper than bulk methods such as dynamic light scattering. A motivating factor for research is that microfluidic tools can be designed and fabricated by students themselves.