Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Electrical Engineering
James Sherman - North Carolina Central University
Co-Author(s): Dr. Bradley Collier, Ascent Bio-Nano
Microfluidics is a growing discipline with various applications and sub-disciplines. Acoustofluidics is one such sub-discipline which allows for the manipulation of particles and cells on the micro-scale using sound waves and microfluidic chips. Ascent Bio-Nano is a startup microfluidics company in Durham, NC focusing on the development of cell separation prototypes for different applications including flow cytometry. To improve the efficiency of their prototypes, which are needed to demonstrate the utility of their microfluidic technology, the overall complexity and cost must be reduced. To achieve this, a variety of electrical and microcontroller systems were investigated. Ultimately, a new power system was developed to regulate a steady supply of power as well as provide a variable supply of power to multiple photomultiplier tube detector modules simultaneously. This system has reduced the cost and complexity of the prototype while placing no restrictions on device functionality.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF-1238547
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bradley Collier, Contact-Ascentat@AscentBioNano.com
Role: Build the power system to regulate the power supply.