The Microfluidics laboratory conducts research in two primary areas: the investigation of fluid mechanics at the microscale, and its application to optimize MEMS-based biosensors. In the microfluidics, we study fluid flow in devices with length scales of order one to one hundred microns. Our interests include developing micron resolution particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV), micro-mixing devices and protocols, particle manipulation using dielectrophoresis (DEP) and AC electrokinetics, and analysis of boundary conditions at the microscale. The research group is a member of the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB). Here, ac electrokinetic phenomena are used to pump, mix & focus biological molecules to enhance and optimize the performance of biological sensors.

The group has close industrial ties to Diagnostic Product Corporation (DPC) and Advanced Propulsion Technologies (APT).