IR-transparent microfluidic cells

The University of Saskatchewan (academic supervisor Dr. S. Achenbach), the Canadian Light Source (partner organization science manager Dr. F. He, SyLMAND beamline responsible Dr. T. Morhart), and intern L. Newman engage in a project to innovate microfabrication processes for microfluidic platforms used in chemical and biological reaction chemistry. In such systems, detection and imaging are required to spatially resolve chemical sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of chemical distributions in the device. Vibrational spectroscopy using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has emerged as a technological approach that meets those requirements. Due to the strong absorption of IR radiation in aqueous media, which constitute a pre-eminent medium of interest, effective penetration lengths are limited to only a few micrometers. Vibrational spectroscopy in liquid media is therefore best implemented in shallow architectures, i.e. in microfluidics. Microfluidics for this application, however, are not readily available and require development and optimization of fabrication processes and innovative sample demonstrators. Through this project, both, microfabrication processes developed and demonstrators (products) produced will allow to expand analysis of chemically, biochemically, and generally scientifically relevant material in the liquid state. Successful project completion will substantially increase the CLS’ ability to offer vibrational spectroscopy in liquid media at the micron scale and services to, e.g., the scientific user community, i.e. to deliver on its mission and vision in this applications area, as well as for its commercial user base.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sven Achenbach

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Light Source

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Education; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: