Feedback Controls in Droplet Microfluidics
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Date
2016-12-21
Authors
Wong, Yuk Hei
Advisor
Ren, Carolyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Waterloo
Abstract
The ability to stabilize and move individual droplets would allow scientists to perform micro-scale manipulation, and unlock the advantages of microfluidics. The challenge lies in the fact that droplet displacements are unstable, and that the system is multi-input-multi-output in nature. This dissertation begins with construction of a state-space model to represents fluid dynamics in a channel network. The model is validated with experimental data, and used to design LQR controllers. The controllers utilize feedback provided from computer vision, to actuate electro-pneumatic transducers appropriately in order to stabilize and control droplet movements. A significant portion of this report is dedicated to describing a custom computer program that was created for implementing the controllers. The program enables users to manipulate droplets in real time by interacting with an augmented video stream. A demonstration is provided in which droplets are generated, stored, merged and split repeatedly on-demand.
Description
Keywords
Microfluidics, Feedback Controls, Droplets, Modelling