UK – Page 31 – TechConnect Briefs

Interactions between Carbon Nanotubes and Liquids: Imbibition and Wetting

Cuenat A., Whitby M., Cain M., Mendels D., Quirke N., National Physical Laboratory, UK

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have potential applications in nanofluidic devices and are already in use for composite reinforcement. Their interactions with fluids are critical in both those applications. Furthermore, the wetting dynamics of homogeneous and structured [...]

Characterization of Nanocrystalline PZT Synthesized via a Hydrothermal Method

Harada S., Dunn S., Cranfield University, UK

Nanoscale lead zirconate titanate (PZT) has the potential to become a key component in a myriad of emerging future applications. A sound knowledge of the underlying physical and chemical processes involved in the formation and [...]

Design, Modelling and Simulation of a PZN-PT Actuated Micropump

Malleo D., Haas C., Kraft M., University of Southampton, Microelectronics Group, UK

We present an optimization methodology for the design of a self-priming piezoelectrically actuated pump made of a borosilicate glass bonded to silicon. New findings in the design optimization of the piezo-actuated membrane are presented: it [...]

A Novel Microrheometer for Measuring Rheological Properties of Microquantities of Fluids

Lo C.S., Prewett P.D., Ward M.C.L., Docker P.T., University of Birmingham, UK

This paper describes a novel micromachined microrheometer, designed to measure the rheological properties of micro quantities of fluids. Measurements are achieved by monitoring the movement of superparamagnetic microbeads whilst in suspension in fluid when placed [...]

The Manufacture and Preliminary Testing of a Novel Bio-MEMS Filtration Chip

Docker P.T., Prince M., Kinnell P.K., Ward M.C.L., Ma X., Birmingham University, UK

In the clinical/microbiological laboratory there are currently several ways of separating specific cells from a fluid suspension. Conventionally cells can be separated based on size, density, electrical charge, light-scattering properties, and antigenic surface properties. Separating [...]

The Application of Micro Reactors for Chemical Synthesis: How small is required?

Watts P., University of Hull, UK

Drug discovery is a very time consuming process, with one of the slowest steps being the synthesis and purification of candidates. Several companies have acknowledged that the miniaturisation of chemical reactors offer many advantages of [...]

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Platforms for the Design of Biosensors

Mendoza E., Borowiak-Palen E., Sharpe K., de Silva S.G.M., Mureau N., Silva S.R.P, University of Surrey, UK

Carbon Nanotubes have unique properties such as chemical stability, good mechanical properties and high surface area that makes them ideal for the design of sensors. In this study, we present the use of Carbon Nanotube [...]

Design and Applications of a Novel Type of Hairpin Probes: Addressable Bipartite Molecular Hook (ABMH)

Landré J.B.P., Ruryk A., Schlicksbier T., Russwurm S., Deigner H.-P., University of East Anglia, UK

ABMHs but not TMBs display the characteristic melt curves obtained with MBs. Moreover, ABMHs specificity in solution (Figure 2) is similar to those of MBs (i.e. differentiation between a perfect match and a 1 mismatch [...]

DNA/RNA Purified Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes on Self-Assembled Networks

Jeynes J.C.G., Mendoza E., Chow D., McFadden J., Silva S.R.P, University of Surrey, UK

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) have attracted a huge interest in the research community to their extraordinary properties. However, the production methods, specially in the case of single walled CNT (SWNCT), also create a high number of [...]

Numerical Modelling of a Microfluidic Ultrasonic Particle Separator

Townsend R.J., Hill M., Harris N.R., White N.M., Beeby S.P., University of Southampton, UK

Particles held in a fluid suspension and within an acoustic standing wave experience an acoustic radiation force. The force causes particles to move to the pressure nodes of the acoustic field creating a concentrate, contributing [...]