Information Package / Course Catalogue
| Course Code | : ME438 |
| Course Type | : Area Elective |
| Couse Group | : First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree) |
| Education Language | : English |
| Work Placement | : N/A |
| Theory | : 3 |
| Prt. | : 0 |
| Credit | : 3 |
| Lab | : 0 |
| ECTS | : 5 |
The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the physical principles, governing equations, and engineering applications of fluid flow at the microscale. Students will explore the transition from macro-to-microfluidics, focusing on the dominance of surface forces, laminar flow regimes, and diffusion-based mixing.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the fluid dynamics and engineering principles governing microscale systems. Topics include fundamental scaling laws, advanced fabrication techniques such as soft lithography and 3D micro-printing, and the design of Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) platforms. The curriculum emphasizes practical microfluidic architectures, including droplet-based systems, inertial focusing via CEA channels, and particle sorting through DLD arrays. Students will also investigate sample preparation, integrated detection methods, and emerging frontiers such as Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) and unconventional microfluidic materials.
| 1. | Analyze the shift in dominant physical forces from macro to micro scales by deriving scaling laws for at least four parameters (e.g., surface tension, viscosity, diffusion, and gravity) to determine their impact on device performance. |
| 2. | Execute the complete design-to-fabrication workflow for a microfluidic device, including the selection of substrate materials (PDMS, thermoplastics, or paper) and the derivation of specific cleanroom or 3D-printing parameters based on channel geometry requirements. |
| 3. | Design integrated Lab-on-a-Chip architectures for complex sample preparation by calculating the precise channel dimensions needed to achieve passive particle sorting via Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD) or inertial focusing in CEA channels. |
| 4. | Evaluate the mechanical and fluidic requirements of Organ-on-a-Chip systems by simulating shear stress profiles and oxygen diffusion rates to ensure the engineering environment meets the physiological needs of cultured biological cells. |
| 5. | Critique contemporary research in microfluidic technologies, such as droplet-based systems or soft robotics, by identifying current engineering limitations and proposing technical modifications to improve throughput, sensitivity, or device integration. |
| 1. | 1. Marc J. Madou, From MEMS to Bio-MEMS and Bio-NEMS: Manufacturing Techniques and Applications, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2011. |
| 2. | 2. Marc J. Madou, Fundamentals of Microfabrication: The Science of Miniaturization, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2002. |
| 3. | 3. Liu, C. Foundations of MEMS, Pearson Education: New Jersey, 2006. |
| Type of Assessment | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 3 | %10 |
| Project | 1 | %20 |
| Midterm Examination | 1 | %20 |
| Final Examination | 1 | %50 |
| Activities | Count | Preparation | Time | Total Work Load (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture - Theory | 14 | 1 | 3 | 56 |
| Assignment | 3 | 5 | 0 | 15 |
| Project | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Reading | 14 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Midterm Examination | 1 | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| Final Examination | 1 | 18 | 2 | 20 |
| TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) | 125 | |||
PÇ-1 | PÇ-2 | PÇ-3 | PÇ-4 | PÇ-5 | PÇ-6 | PÇ-7 | PÇ-8 | PÇ-9 | PÇ-10 | PÇ-11 | PÇ-12 | |
OÇ-1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
OÇ-2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
OÇ-3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
OÇ-4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
OÇ-5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 |