Aim
The course gives a broad introduction to the area of microfluidics with an outlook towards Lab-On-A-Chip. Microfluidics and Lab-On-A-Chip deal with liquid and gas flows in micrometer-sized channels, often for chemical and biochemical analysis. The area is truely cross-diciplinary where micro- and nano-technologies are utilised for integration of electrical, mechanical, chemical and optical functions on a chip. Systems based on microfluidics plays and increasingly important role within areas like chemistry and biochemistry, biotechnology and medicine.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to analyse advantages of and limitations in miniaturising fluidic systems.

• Be able to describe how design geometries and physical parameters affect the properties of microfluidic systems.

• Be able to describe the available methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems and generations and control of micro flows.

• Be able to describe the necessary components of a microfluidic system.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to experimentally develop and use microfluidic systems together with instrumentation to study those.

• Be able to design and fabricate a simple microfluidic system.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Have realised the importance of being open to a cross-disciplinary way of working.

Contents
Fluid mechanics in microsystems, flow simulations, materials and methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems, surface tension, viscosity, diffusion, dimensionless parametrs like Reynolds and Weber numbers, flow characterisation, valves, mechanical and electrokinetical pumps, microfilters, mixing, chemical microreaktors, dispensing, separation, detection, applications within chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, biology and medicine, acoustics on chip, nanofluidics.

Literature
Nam-Trung Nguyen, Steven T Wereley: Fundamantals and Applications of Microfluidics.
Compendium och lab instructions.