Viscoelastic Microfluidics for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

This project aims to revolutionise the way tiny objects are extracted from a mixed liquid sample, using forces generated by fluids that are both viscous and elastic to sort bioparticles based on their size, shape and fluid properties. The developed technology will break the limitation of conventional methods and meet the growing demand for processing complex real-world environmental samples. Artificial intelligence can also be considered to the microfluidic system to create a more versatile system for image-based characterising and quantifying. The platform technology could have applications beyond environmental monitoring, with great potential in biomedical devices.

The research project includes the physics of fluid flow (especially non-Newtonian fluids), design and fabrication of micro/nano devices, manipulation of bioparticles and fluid control, and intelligent microfluidics.

UQ received the maximum score of 5 (well above world standard) for Mechanical Engineering (0913) and Environmental Science and Management (0502) in the 2018 ERA research evaluation. The proposed project is well-aligned with, and adds capacity to, UQ’s recognised Research Strength, Manufacturing and Aquatic Ecosystem Impact Assessment and Monitoring. All the facilities and equipment required for the project are available at UQ, and the PhD candidate will have full access to these. The successful applicant will be benefited from training on numerous aspects of microfluidics and from excellent mentorship and opportunities for international academic and industry collaboration.

All the facilities and equipment required for the proposed project are available at UQ, and the candidate will have full access to these. Australian National Fabrication Facility-Queensland node (ANFF-Q) centre has clean room and all the facilities for 3D printing (UpNano (MPO 100)), mask writing (MLA150), photolithography, soft-lithography, and device packaging required in microfluidic device fabrication. UQ’s ANFF-Q, SoMME and Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (CMM) have a number of advanced optical and fluorescent microscopy (Nikon Eclipse Ti-U), high-speed camera (Phantom V9.1), and syringe pumps (Harvard 33 DDS) for sample identification and system assessing. We will also have access to UQ’s PC2 laboratory space at AIBN that includes biosafety cabinet, shaking incubator, centrifuges, FACS, etc.