Integration of printable polymers with composite nanomaterials for wearable microfluidics

Research into wearable systems, functional nanomaterials, 3D printing, flexible microfluidics, and commercial thermoplastic polymer (TP) microfluidics, is reported daily. However, much of this research is hindered by difficulties in integrating structures, devices, and systems realized using different materials platforms. While polymers such as SU-8 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are popular with academics, TPs such as optically transparent cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) dominate in commercial microfluidics. TPs are expensive to prototype with, and are difficult to combine with flexible elastomer materials (PDMS, polyurethane) for high-stroke actuators. The proposed student project will combine thermoplastic materials such as COC and plastisol with functional nanomaterials developed in the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Microinstrumentation Lab. These functional nanomaterials include magnetic, piezoresistive, and piezoelectric composite polymers, with highly flexible polymer base materials. The student will work on materials integration techniques for portable thermoplastic based systems, and/or wearable textile based systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bonnie Gray

Student:

Partner:

Jamia Millia Islamia

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Nanotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: