Introduction to Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Systems
Introduktion till mikrofluidik och lab-on-a-chip system

EEMN21F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2017
Decided by: Professor Thomas Johansson
Date of establishment: 2017-05-23

General Information

Division: Biomedical Engineering
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course code: EEMN21
Teaching language: English

Aim

The course gives a broad introduction to the area of microfluidics with an outlook towards lab-on-a-chip systems. Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems deal with liquid and gas flows in micrometer-sized channels, often for chemical and biochemical analysis. The area is truely interdiciplinary where micro- and nanotechnologies are utilised for integration of electrical, mechanical, chemical and optical functions on a chip. Systems based on microfluidics play an increasingly important role within areas like chemistry and biochemistry, biotechnology and medicine.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Be able to analyse advantages and limitations when miniaturising fluidic systems.
• Be able to describe how design geometries and physical parameters affect the properties and function of microfluidic systems.
• Be able to describe available methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems and generations and control of micro flows.
• Be able to describe common components and functions of a microfluidic system.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Be able to experimentally build and use microfluidic systems together with instrumentation to study those.
• Be able to design a simple microfluidic system.
• Be able to read, summarise and discuss scientific articles in the field of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems.

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must Have realised the importance of and being open to a cross-disciplinary way of working.

Course Contents

Fluid mechanics in microsystems, flow simulations, materials and methods for fabrication of microfluidic systems, surface tension, viscosity, diffusion, dimensionless parameters (e.g. the Reynolds number), flow characterisation, valves, mechanical and electrokinetical pumps, mixing, droplet microfluidics, chemical separation, cell separation, detection, applications within chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, biology and medicine, and acoustics on chip.

Course Literature

Folch, A.: Introduction to BioMEMS. CRC Press, 2012. ISBN 9781439818398.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises, exercises, project

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written exam, written report, seminars given by participants. Compulsory parts to be passed: lab exercises including reports, active participation in the article presentation, project work including oral presentation and written report, written exam.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Assumed prior knowledge: Fundamental courses in physics, chemistry or biology.
Selection criteria: 1. Field of PhD project. 2. Credits remaining for the degree. 3. Final grades. 4. Interview.

Further Information

The course replaces and overlaps with courses EEM055 and EEMN20. This course is given i English on demand.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:

• Per Augustsson <per.augustsson@bme.lth.se>
• Pelle Ohlsson <pelle.ohlsson@bme.lth.se>