Keywords
assembly, microfluidics, microscale, self assembly, tool-directed, part-directed, capillary, surface tension, magnetic, electrostatic, acoustic, bacteria-swarm, assembly theory, assemblability
Abstract
Assembly permits the integration of different materials and manufacturing processes to increase system functionality. It is an essential step in the fabrication of useful systems across size scales from buildings to molecules. However, at the microscale, traditional “grasp and release” assembly methods and chemically inspired self-assembly processes are less effective due to many scaling effects. Many methods have been developed for improving microscale assembly. Often these methods include fluidic forces or the use a fluidic medium in order to enhance their performance. This paper reviews basic assembly theory and modeling methods. Three basic assembly strategies (tool-directed, process-directed, and part-directed) are proposed for categorizing these methods. It then summarizes progress in using fluidic forces (surface tension, viscous) and external fields (magnetic, electric, light) to aid microscale assembly. Applications of recent advances in both continuous flow and digital microfluidics in microscale assembly are also addressed.
Original Publication Citation
N. B. Crane, O. Onen, J. Carballo, Q. Ni, and R. Guldiken, “Fluidic assembly at the microscale: progress and prospects,” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2012, DOI 10.1007/s10404-012-1060-1.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Crane, Nathan B.; Onen, Onursal; Carballo, Jose; Ni, Qi; and Guldiken, Rasim, "Fluidic Assembly at the Microscale: Progress and Prospects" (2012). Faculty Publications. 5364.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/5364
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2012
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8098
Publisher
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics
Language
English
College
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Copyright Use Information
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