Development and Experimental Verification of Surface Effects in a Fluidic Model

Abstract

Abstract : Sensor and diagnostic systems based on microfluidic devices have already achieved very low total detection limits which are projected to approach the single molecule level. Under such conditions adverse wall/sample interactions, such as adsorption, could significantly or completely deplete the analyte stream of the material of interest, at total coverage much smaller than a monolayer. Careful understanding of the interaction of flow surface availability and adsorption is required. The research team on this effort carried out experimental determination and verification of flow effects on wall/biomaterial interactions. Results were incorporated into an existing software suite to generate an advanced model of adsorption under flow conditions. The knowledge gained from this effort represents a step forward in providing the proper tools and techniques to successfully simulate microfluidic device and system concepts prior to prototyping.