Nano-fluidic Characterization Team Members: David Sharp, Davis West, Justin Davis

Project Description Nano-porous membranes are ideally used as a medicinal filters. Can be used for nano-device manufacturing Main objective is to build apparatus to measure characteristics of nano-porous membranes Characteristics include pressure differences, fluid flow and average temperature. *SEM Photograph of a Nano-porous membrane

Customer Needs

Engineering Specifications Specification (metric) Unit of Measure Marginal Value Expected Values S 1 Rig size limit (l x w x h) mm 200x120x100 510X115X40 S 2 Membrane diameter 13 - 25 13 S 3 Development cost $ < 2,500 S 4 Pressure range kPa < 500 <690 S 5 Pressure accuracy Pa 0.1 1725 S 6 Flow rate range mL/min 0 - 3 0-5 S 7 Flow rate accuracy microliter/s 0.001 2.5 S 8 Temperature range ᵒC -20 to 100 S 9 Temperature accuracy 0.01 1 S 10 Fine sampling rate per second 100 S 11 Coarse sampling rate per minute

Concept Summary Pressure between pores represents the pressure between whole membrane As flow through membrane increases, pressure difference also increases Varying pore diameter exponentially increases pressure difference

System Architecture All sensors connected to computer through USB All sensor values read on LabVIEW Pressure transducers connected through DAQ device Signal calibrated to read pressure values instead of voltage Thermocouple connected with USB converter Drivers for Flow sensor used to read values on LabVIEW

LabVIEW Layout

System Design Pressure Transducers Syringe Pump Flow Sensor Thermocouple Membrane Holder

System Breakdown

System Breakdown Continued… Consists of various couplings and fittings to maintain pipe diameter Each sensor is fastened securely to the frame Membrane holder located at center of system Pressure Transducer on both sides of membrane holder Thermocouple placed near end of system Flow Sensor at end to validate pump flow System elevated to keep flow level

Experimental Data

Spread Analysis

Testing Results

Project Evaluation System is able to successfully read pressure and flow values through the system Results found show that each membrane has a slightly higher or lower pressure difference for each flow rate Due to the membrane pore diameters being slightly different than the true values Average difference between calculated and experimental values is slight

Future Opportunities Clear membrane better integrated for higher pressure readings. Height of system more adjustable LabVIEW synchronized with syringe pump Would start as soon as the program began taking measurements, Setting changes on the front panel

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Dr. Michael Schrlau (ME Department) Masoud Golshadi - PhD Student Michael Zona (Xerox) - Industry Guide John Wellin (ME Department) - Guide