Selected Papers from the 3rd International Conference on Microfluidic Handling Systems

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2017) | Viewed by 16774

Special Issue Editor

1. Integrated Devices and Systems (IDS), University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
2. Bronkhorst High-Tech BV, Nijverheidsstraat 1A, 7261 AK Ruurlo, The Netherlands
Interests: design, modeling, fabrication and application of microfluidic handling systems; MEMS thermal and Coriolis flow sensors and controllers; MEMS pressure sensors; MEMS control valves; micromachined flow analysis systems; multiparameter flow measurement systems; micro Wobbe index meters
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will publish selected papers from the 3rd International Conference on Microfluidic Handling Systems (www.mfhs2017.org), 4–6 October, 2017, Enschede, The Netherlands. Manuscripts submitted to the journal Micromachines should be extended by at least 40% compared with that of the conference.

Worldwide, accurate handling—i.e., analysis, dosage, measurement and control—of small and extremely small mass flow rates of both gases and liquids is becoming more and more important, driven by numerous applications. Examples of economically and societally relevant applications are, e.g., improvement of medical infusion pump systems, increasing the efficiency of processes that extract oil from oil wells (enhanced oil recovery), systems that measure the energy content (calorific value or Wobbe Index) of natural gas, biogas and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), monitoring of ground water pollution and the production of pharmaceuticals by means of flow chemistry.

Whether in analytical instrumentation, flow chemistry, energy, semiconductor industry, food and beverage or life sciences, microfluidic handling systems are facing three major trends: (1) accurate measurement and calibration facilities, (2) complete functional systems rather than individual components, e.g., flow analysis systems, and flow dosage systems, and (3) commercialisation of research. In the future, the impact of this field of research may become bigger, and large target markets may potentially arise, especially when spin-off companies start manufacturing and selling their products, systems or pilot plants.

The 3rd International Conference on Microfluidic Handling Systems (MFHS 2017) focuses mainly on the technology, components, devices and systems that enable the application in microfluidic systems. We invite submission of papers on systems and devices for accurate handling (e.g., analysis, dosing, measurement and control) of (extremely) small mass flow rates of both gases and liquids, and corresponding measurement and control principles:

  • Thermal, ultrasonic and Coriolis principles for flow measurement
  • Piezo-electric, electromagnetic and electrostatic principles for flow control
  • Electronic instrumentation
  • Application proposals
  • Innovative methods in calibration equipment and methodology
  • Micro- and nanomachining
  • Device characterization

The topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Sensors: Flow, pressure, viscosity, temperature, conductivity, heat capacity, density
  • Actuators: Valves, pumps, mixers, droplet generators
  • Interfaces: Electronic instrumentation, interconnections, assembly, technology
  • Fluidic control systems: Mass flow controllers, precision mixing, dosing and dispensing, calibration, multiparameter
  • Applications: Gas chromatographs, liquid chromatographs, medical analyses, micro reaction systems, bio-analytical systems

Prof. Dr. Joost Lötters
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 31184 KiB  
Article
Electrostatically Driven In-Plane Silicon Micropump for Modular Configuration
by Sebastian Uhlig, Matthieu Gaudet, Sergiu Langa, Klaus Schimmanz, Holger Conrad, Bert Kaiser and Harald Schenk
Micromachines 2018, 9(4), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9040190 - 18 Apr 2018
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4620
Abstract
In this paper, an in-plane reciprocating displacement micropump for liquids and gases which is actuated by a new class of electrostatic bending actuators is reported. The so-called “Nano Electrostatic Drive” is capable of deflecting beyond the electrode gap distance, enabling large generated forces [...] Read more.
In this paper, an in-plane reciprocating displacement micropump for liquids and gases which is actuated by a new class of electrostatic bending actuators is reported. The so-called “Nano Electrostatic Drive” is capable of deflecting beyond the electrode gap distance, enabling large generated forces and deflections. Depending on the requirements of the targeted system, the micropump can be modularly designed to meet the specified differential pressures and flow rates by a serial and parallel arrangement of equally working pumping base units. Two selected, medium specific micropump test structure devices for pumping air and isopropanol were designed and investigated. An analytical approach of the driving unit is presented and two-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations of the micropump were carried out to determine the dynamic behavior. The simulation showed that the test structure device designed for air expected to overcome a total differential pressure of 130 kPa and deliver a flow rate of 0.11 sccm at a 265 Hz driving frequency. The isopropanol design is expected to generate 210 kPa and pump 0.01 sccm at 21 Hz. The device is monolithically fabricated by CMOS-compatible bulk micromachining processes under the use of standard materials only, such as crystalline silicon, silicon dioxide and alumina. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 6031 KiB  
Article
3D Fractals as SERS Active Platforms: Preparation and Evaluation for Gas Phase Detection of G-Nerve Agents
by Marta Lafuente, Erwin J. W. Berenschot, Roald M. Tiggelaar, Reyes Mallada, Niels R. Tas and Maria P. Pina
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020060 - 31 Jan 2018
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4691
Abstract
One of the main limitations of the technique surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for chemical detection relies on the homogeneity, reproducibility and reusability of the substrates. In this work, SERS active platforms based on 3D-fractal microstructures is developed by combining corner lithography and anisotropic [...] Read more.
One of the main limitations of the technique surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for chemical detection relies on the homogeneity, reproducibility and reusability of the substrates. In this work, SERS active platforms based on 3D-fractal microstructures is developed by combining corner lithography and anisotropic wet etching of silicon, to extend the SERS-active area into 3D, with electrostatically driven Au@citrate nanoparticles (NPs) assembly, to ensure homogeneous coating of SERS active NPs over the entire microstructured platforms. Strong SERS intensities are achieved using 3D-fractal structures compared to 2D-planar structures; leading to SERS enhancement factors for R6G superior than those merely predicted by the enlarged area effect. The SERS performance of Au monolayer-over-mirror configuration is demonstrated for the label-free real-time gas phase detection of 1.2 ppmV of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a common surrogate of G-nerve agents. Thanks to the hot spot accumulation on the corners and tips of the 3D-fractal microstructures, the main vibrational modes of DMMP are clearly identified underlying the spectral selectivity of the SERS technique. The Raman acquisition conditions for SERS detection in gas phase have to be carefully chosen to avoid photo-thermal effects on the irradiated area. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Fractal Geometry for Gas Permeation in Microchannels
by Magdalena Malankowska, Stefan Schlautmann, Erwin J. W. Berenschot, Roald M. Tiggelaar, Maria Pilar Pina, Reyes Mallada, Niels R. Tas and Han Gardeniers
Micromachines 2018, 9(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9020045 - 27 Jan 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4030
Abstract
The novel concept of a microfluidic chip with an integrated three-dimensional fractal geometry with nanopores, acting as a gas transport membrane, is presented. The method of engineering the 3D fractal structure is based on a combination of anisotropic etching of silicon and corner [...] Read more.
The novel concept of a microfluidic chip with an integrated three-dimensional fractal geometry with nanopores, acting as a gas transport membrane, is presented. The method of engineering the 3D fractal structure is based on a combination of anisotropic etching of silicon and corner lithography. The permeation of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the fractal membrane is measured and validated theoretically. The results show high permeation flux due to low resistance to mass transfer because of the hierarchical branched structure of the fractals, and the high number of the apertures. This approach offers an advantage of high surface to volume ratio and pores in the range of nanometers. The obtained results show that the gas permeation through the nanonozzles in the form of fractal geometry is remarkably enhanced in comparison to the commonly-used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) dense membrane. The developed chip is envisioned as an interesting alternative for gas-liquid contactors that require harsh conditions, such as microreactors or microdevices, for energy applications. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop