Rapid & controlled manufacturing of microfluidic devices using hot embossing
Name
958163194-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
5.04 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d7b6e9702824b66382920ccd58fbfad4
Author(s)
Chamberlain, Peter T. (Peter Thomas)
Advisor(s)
David E. Hardt.
Alternative Title
Rapid and controlled manufacturing of microfluidic devices using hot embossing
Date Issued
2016
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Microfluidics are becoming commonplace in research and medicine, particularly in point-of-care diagnostics and drug development. Many manufacturing methods exist for such devices, but initial setup can be costly and slow, hindering the ability to quickly iterate on designs. Hot embossing has previously been demonstrated to have low capital costs and high flexibility. This work focuses on leveraging this flexibility to implement a closed-loop feedback controller within an automated hot embossing manufacturing cell. Three families of controllers are implemented and analyzed for compatibility with this system. The first is based on a classic discrete integral controller. The second extends this work by developing a method for optimizing the system outputs. The third combines statistical methods and traditional process control to suit the non-linear embossing process. Finally, preliminary experiments demonstrate the ability of the hot embossing system to replicate nano-scale features, providing the future opportunity to manufacture nanofluidic devices with the same equipment and methodology as microfluidic devices.
Description
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2016.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 150-151).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Terms of Use
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