Brainstorming Ideas:
How many flow channels?
- The LOC will have four flow channels, two straight channels and two curved channels to experiment with how different shaped channels will affect the cell adhesion.
- Two of the channels should be of one design while the other two have another design in order to test how length, depth, or geometry effect the results
Number of entrance ports and exit ports?
- Each channel will only have 1 entrance port to reduce the turbulence of the fluid entering. Each channel will also have only 1 exit port. The entrance ports will be slightly curved at the top to allow the fluid to flow into the channel smoothly; if the edges are too sharp, this could result in turbulence.
- We could also have only one entrance port that divides up into 4 channels that each have their own exit port
Channel parameters?
- The channels will be approximately 350 mm wide and approximately 130 mm deep to keep within the range of the problem statement given. Since the wafer given is 5.08 cm, the channels range from 4.5-5 cm long, having each channel end at the edge of the circular wafer to allow easy injection of the fluid into the channel.
- We could vary the size of the channels (depth and length) to see how the geometry of the channel effects the cell adhesion
Chip holder design?
- The chip holder will be in the shape of a square to enclose the circular chip in the middle. 4 fasteners will be used to secure the chip in its place, 1 fastener in each corner of the square. The holes for the ports will be on the edge of the chip holder in order to allow fluid injection from the side of the chip.
- The chip holder could also be in the shape of a triangle that encloses the circular chip
- The chip could be square and the chip holder could also be square
Design Considerations and treatment variable conditions?
- Our team could also try to change the depths of the channels to see if that has an effect of the cell adhesion.
- We could also use 2 channels for 1 type of yeast and the other 2 channels for a second kind of yeast to test how various yeast samples have an affect on the yeast cell adhesion.
- We could try putting holes in the top of the chip holder by 2 of the channels and expose the channels to heat or cold to see how temperature effects the cell adhesion
- Consider a design that keeps the chip in a steady position (doesn’t easily rotate, etc)
- Consider a design that does not leave the chip exposed to anything outside of the system
