Using Inexpensive Jell-O Chips for Hands-On Microfluidics Education

Yang, Cheng Wei Tony; Ouellet, Éric; Lagally, Eric T.

doi:10.1021/ac902926x

Cited by 32 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Lacking the membranes of conventional electrochemical cells, these simpler CLFCs have also been the subject of several numerical investigations [47], [49], [51], [59]- [74], [89], [102], [103], [132], [140]- [152], though few of the suggestions coming from these studies, such as tapering of the centre channel, have been experimentally verified. Another unexpected but logical avenue for these simple and inexpensive devices is as educational materials for demonstrating microfluidic and electrochemical concepts, particularly for co-laminar flow cells with transparent 'on-chip' fabrication style and colourful reactants [153]. Overall, it is expected that CLFC technology will continue to diverge into other areas of electrochemistry indirectly related to energy conversion.…”

Section: Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Goulet

Kjeang

2014

Journal of Power Sources

103

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A recently developed class of electrochemical cell based on co-laminar flow of reactants through porous electrodes is investigated. New architectures are designed and assessed for fuel recirculation and rechargeable battery operation.Extensive characterization of cells is performed to determine most sources of voltage loss during operation. To this end, a specialized flow cell technique is developed to mitigate mass transport limitations and measure kinetic rates of reaction on flow-through porous electrodes. This technique is used in in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate different treatments for enhancing the rates of vanadium redox reactions on carbon paper electrodes. It is determined that surface area enhancements are the most effective way for increasing redox reaction rates and thus a novel in situ flowing deposition method is conceived to achieve this objective at minimal cost. It is demonstrated that flowing deposition of carbon nanotubes can increase the electrochemical surface area of carbon paper by over an order of magnitude. It is also demonstrated that flowing deposition can be achieved dynamically during cell operation, leading to considerably improved kinetics and mass transport properties. To take full advantage of this deposition method, the total ohmic resistance of the cell is considerably reduced through design optimization with reduced channel width, integration of current collectors and reduction of reactant concentration. With electrodes enhanced by dynamic flowing deposition the cell presented in this study demonstrates nearly a fourfold improvement in power density over the baseline design.Producing more than twice the power density of the leading co-laminar flow cell without the use of catalysts or elevated temperatures and pressures, this cell provides a lowcost standard for further research into system scale-up and implementation of co-laminar flow cell technology. More generally, the experimental technique and deposition method developed in this work are expected to find broader use in other fields of electrochemical energy conversion. am also very grateful to my graduate colleagues at SFU and friends in FCRel, with a special mention to Omar in particular, for all the pleasant conversations and good times.I wish there had been more.Last but not least, I'd like to acknowledge all the family and friends I was unable to spend quality time with due to this work. I look forward to seeing you all again.vi Tables Table 1. for their higher specific energy and energy density [6]. For the same reasons, the lower power (< 100 W) market which is driven by portable consumer electronics, is currently 2 dominated by closed cell lithium ion batteries in particular [7]. As these batteries reach their limits and fail to keep up with the energy requirements of modern electronics, micro fuel cells with passively pumped higher energy density liquid reactants such as methanol have been suggested as a potential replacement [8].Regardless...

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Section: Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Goulet

Kjeang

2014

Journal of Power Sources

103

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“…Yang et al 10 proposed in their paper an interactive and hands-on activity for manufacturing magnified microfluidic View Article Online devices with Jell-O® dessert. This fun and simplified approach, closer to the actual procedure of manufacturing, can directly be related to the proposed activity if time is available.…”

Section: B Microfluidicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Angry pathogens, how to get rid of them: introducing microfluidics for waterborne pathogen separation to children

Jimenez

Bridle

2015

Lab Chip

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The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for introducing to a non-scientific audience a major public health issue: access to safe drinking water. Access to safe drinking water is a privilege in developed countries and an urgent need in the third world, which implies always more efficient and reliable engineering tools to be developed. As a major global challenge it is important to make children aware of this problem for understanding (i) what safe drinking water is, (ii) how ingenious techniques are developed for this purpose and (iii) the role of microfluidics in this area. This paper focuses on different microfluidic-based techniques to separate and detect pathogens in drinking water that have been adapted to be performed by a young audience in a simplified, recreational and interactive way.

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“…38,39 In a paper by Yang et al, the dessert Jell-O was used in the process of soft lithography to demonstrate microfluidic technology. 38 By molding coffee stirrers of various patterns overnight, Jell-O channels mimicking microfluidic channels were fabricated. These molds were then placed onto aluminum plates to demonstrate flow patterns.…”

Section: A Microfluidics In the Classroommentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To demonstrate the feasibility of teaching key concepts of microfluidics, we took inspiration from previously reported educational microfluidic kits, which have been implemented within the classroom. 38,45 Key concepts such as separations, flowrate measurements, chemical gradients, and chemical reactions can be easily performed on our simple platform, yielding reproducible results. These concepts can be integrated into teaching modules and tailored to meet the criteria and academic level of the institution.…”

Section: B Shrink-induced Fabrication Of Microfluidicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shrink-film microfluidic education modules: Complete devices within minutes

et al. 2011

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As advances in microfluidics continue to make contributions to diagnostics and life sciences, broader awareness of this expanding field becomes necessary. By leveraging low-cost microfabrication techniques that require no capital equipment or infrastructure, simple, accessible, and effective educational modules can be made available for a broad range of educational needs from middle school demonstrations to college laboratory classes. These modules demonstrate key microfluidic concepts such as diffusion and separation as well as "laboratory on-chip" applications including chemical reactions and biological assays. These modules are intended to provide an interdisciplinary hands-on experience, including chip design, fabrication of functional devices, and experiments at the microscale. Consequently, students will be able to conceptualize physics at small scales, gain experience in computer-aided design and microfabrication, and perform experiments-all in the context of addressing real-world challenges by making their own lab-on-chip devices.

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Using Inexpensive Jell-O Chips for Hands-On Microfluidics Education

Cited by 32 publications

References 34 publications

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Co-laminar flow cells for electrochemical energy conversion

Angry pathogens, how to get rid of them: introducing microfluidics for waterborne pathogen separation to children

Shrink-film microfluidic education modules: Complete devices within minutes

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