Module: Microfluidics2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Microfluidics2
Module Code	PHY1074 (ITS: PS522)
Faculty	Physical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

The module begins by providing an overview at, or informed by, the forefront of this field, of the fundamental framework of hydrodynamics in microsystems, i.e. force scaling due to increasing surface-to-volume ratios towards the microscale, Navier-Stokes equation of motion, types of flow, laminarity, transport phenomena, surface tension, capillary force, wetting, heat transfer, adsorption, phase transitions and electrokinetics. In the next part of the module, the technological implementation of flow control, at, or informed by, the forefront of this field, i.e. pumping and valving mechanisms microfluidic effects will be discussed and microfabrication methods will be outlined. The latter part of the module will cover technological applications at, or informed by, the forefront of this field, centred on microfluidics-enabled technologies such as sensors, ink-jet technology, liquid handling, microarrays, microreactors, analytical chips and particle-laden fluids.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the underpinning elements of the fundamentals of microfluidics
2. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the underpinning fundamental elements of the specific effects arising from liquids microconfined environments
3. Develop and articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge at, or informed by, the forefront of research both qualitatively, and quantitatively of the underpinning fundamental elements of engineering principles of microfluidic systems
4. Demonstrate this systematic understanding by identifying microfluidic effects as key enablers for various applications
5. Demonstrate this systematic understanding by designing/laying out simple microfluidic systems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Attendance and active participation in lectures
Seminars	4	Attendance at presentations of other microfluidics students/researchers
Assignment Completion	20	Mini-project to engineer (i.e. design and lay-out) a microfluidic system and present it in the class room
Directed learning	12	Oral examination and presention to probe student's systematic understanding of fundamentals of microfluidics, specific effects arising from liquids microconfined environments, elements of engineering principles of microfluidic systems and articulation of same and capability to identify microfluidic effects as key enablers for various applications.
Independent Study	65	Independent learning time to include study for lectures (30 hours), background study for oral examination and presentation (25 hours), background study to prepare for mini-project (10 hours)
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12040	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jens Ducree	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Presentation to probe student's systematic understanding of fundamentals of microfluidics, specific effects arising from liquids microconfined environments, elements of engineering principles of microfluidic systems and articulation of same and capability to identify microfluidic effects as key enablers for various applications.	25%	Week 24
Research Paper	Research report on a chosen topic in microfluidics. The topic will relate to a system or application in microfluidics. Paper will discuss: physical principles employed, a critical comparison of multiple systems and advantages and disadvantages of examples chosen.	65%	Week 30
Loop Quiz	Online quiz to assess students' understanding of course material.	10%	Week 30

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Fundamental framework of hydrodynamics in microsystems:
1 - force scaling due to increasing surface-to-volume ratios towards the microscale,

2 - Navier-Stokes equation of motion,

3 - types of flow,

4 - laminarity,

5 - transport phenomena,

6 - surface tension,

7 - capillary force,

8 - wetting,

9 - heat transfer,

10 - adsorption,

11 - phase transitions and electrokinetics.

Technological implementation of flow control:
12 - pumping and valving mechanisms microfluidic effects,

13 - microfabrication methods.

Microfluidics-enabled technologies:
14 - sensors,

15 - ink-jet technology,

16 - liquid handling,

17 - microarrays,

18 - microreactors,

19 - analytical chips

20 - particle-laden fluids.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Stéphane Colin: 0, Microfluidics,
Henrik Bruus: 0, Theoretical microfluidics,
Suman Chakraborty: 0, Microfluidics and microfabrication,
Brian Kirby: 0, Micro- and nanoscale fluid mechanics: transport in microfluidic devices,
P. Tabeling: 0, Introduction to microfluidics,
Sang-Joon John Lee, Narayanan Sundararajan: 0, Microfabrication for microfluidics,
Sami Franssila: 0, Introduction to microfabrication,
Marc J. Madou: 0, Fundamentals of microfabrication and nanotechnology volumes 1, 2 and 3,
Jean Berthier, Pascal Silberzan: 0, Microfluidics for biotechnology,
Frank A. Gomez: 0, Biological applications of microfluidics,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None