M.S.E. Thesis Defense

Fabrication and Testing of a Microscale Coulter Counter for Usage as a Flowrate Measurement System in Microscale Channels

Mr. Jesse Cugliotta
Advisor: Professor Jennifer Lukes
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

This work presents a novel technique for measurement of flow rate through channels based on the Coulter principle. It requires slightly less complicated instrumentation to operate than conventional flow measurement techniques, and can measure flow in near-nanometer scale channels. In addition, it makes use of a very versatile PDMS-based micromolding technique that will allow for seamless integration into lab-on-a-chip type fluidic devices. Several other device designs and fabrication techniques are also presented, along with theoretical development Coulter counter calibration relations and particle-in-channel flowrate equations.

Friday, February 17th – 11:00 AM
307 Levine Bldg.