Test analysis & fault simulation of microfluidic systems

This work presents a design, simulation and test methodology for microfluidic systems, with particular focus on simulation for test. A Microfluidic Fault Simulator (MFS) has been created based around COMSOL which allows a fault-free system model to undergo fault injection and provide test measurements. A post MFS test analysis procedure is also described.A range of fault-free system simulations have been cross-validated to experimental work to gauge the accuracy of the fundamental simulation approach prior to further investigation and development of the simulation and test procedure.A generic mechanism, termed a fault block, has been developed to provide fault injection and a method of describing a low abstraction behavioural fault model within the system. This technique has allowed the creation of a fault library containing a range of different microfluidic fault conditions. Each of the fault models has been cross-validated to experimental conditions or published results to determine their accuracy.Two test methods, namely, impedance spectroscopy and Levich electro-chemical sensors have been investigated as general methods of microfluidic test, each of which has been shown to be sensitive to a multitude of fault. Each method has successfully been implemented within the simulation environment and each cross-validated by first-hand experimentation or published work.A test analysis procedure based around the Neyman-Pearson criterion has been developed to allow a probabilistic metric for each test applied for a given fault condition, providing a quantitive assessment of each test. These metrics are used to analyse the sensitivity of each test method, useful when determining which tests to employ in the final system. Furthermore, these probabilistic metrics may be combined to provide a fault coverage metric for the complete system.The complete MFS method has been applied to two system cases studies; a hydrodynamic “Y” channel and a flow cytometry system for prognosing head and neck cancer.Decision trees are trained based on the test measurement data and fault conditions as a means of classifying the systems fault condition state. The classification rules created by the decision trees may be displayed graphically or as a set of rules which can be loaded into test instrumentation. During the course of this research a high voltage power supply instrument has been developed to aid electro-osmotic experimentation and an impedance spectrometer to provide embedded test

The synthesis and characterisation of inorganic and organic luminophores suitable for biomolecule conjugation

Inorganic transition metal complexes have been under extensive investigation for many years in supramolecular assemblies due to their favourable photophysical and redox properties including; absorbance and emission in the visible region of the spectrum, large stokes shifts, long lifetimes, intense luminescence, good photostability and useful photosensitising properties for photodynamic therapy. Their properties make them potentially very valuable biological probes but to date relatively little application of transition metals in this area have been made. This thesis focuses on a range of novel ruthenium and iridium luminophores, their bioconjugates and nanoparticle conjugates which were prepared for applications in cell imaging. A key aim of this thesis was the synthesis, characterisation and identification of novel bioconjugates suitable for applications in cellular imaging. Some preliminary studies of their application in cell imaging are also presented. Chapter 1 outlines how metal complexes have been used previously in cellular imaging and how conjugation of these transition metal complexes to biomolecules has lead to more targeted and improved applications in medical diagnostics, photodynamic therapy, cellular imaging and pharmaceutical drug delivery. Chapters 3 & 4 detail the synthesis and photophysical characterisation of a series of Raman and oxygen sensitive, water soluble and water insoluble ruthenium (II) and novel iridium (III) polypyridyl complexes suitable for biomolecule coupling. Following conjugation of these luminophores to gold nanoparticles in Chapter 3 and cell penetrating peptides in Chapter 5, the dye-conjugates were shown to transport efficiently across the cellular membrane of mammalian SP2 and CHO cells and locate throughout the cell’s organelles. Whereas, using confocal fluorescence microscopy, the parent complexes were shown not to internalise within the cellular structures. The inherent properties of the dyes, such as Raman and lifetime sensitivity, may then be used to determine pH and oxygen levels inside the cell. This could provide critical information for the early detection of certain diseases, as abnormal pH and oxygen levels are indicative of cancerous tumours. Furthermore, the generation of singlet oxygen following light absorption by the luminophores is known to cause additional cell apoptosis. Finally, Chapter 6 describes attempts to functionalise the nucleobase guanine with a fluorescent fluorescein molecule through a short and rigid linker. A range of synthetic techniques such as Suzuki coupling, Sonogashira coupling, click chemistry and Buchwald-Hartwig coupling were used in an effort to achieve this. Using DNA as a scaffold for the first time, the modified nucleoside may be incorporated into the sequence of DNA which may be surface immobilised. Thus, providing an efficient light harvesting supramolecular assembly for the conversion of solar energy into electrical potential

Fundamentals of SARS-CoV-2 Biosensors

COVID-19 diagnostic strategies based on advanced techniques are currently essential topics of interest, with crucial roles in scientific research. This book integrates fundamental concepts and critical analyses that explore the progress of modern methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

Voyager capsule, preliminary design, phase B. Volume III - Surface laboratory system. Section I - Surface laboratory Final report

Surface Laboratory preliminary configuration for Voyager mission - space capsul

The Fifth National Technology Transfer Conference and Exposition

No abstract availabl