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

2. 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

3. Customer Needs

4. 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
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. LabVIEW Layout

8. System Design Pressure Transducers Syringe Pump Flow Sensor
Thermocouple
Membrane Holder

9. System Breakdown

10. 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

11. Experimental Data

12. Spread Analysis

13. Testing Results

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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