Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Alberta
$95,500.00
A Dual Camera Light Field Imaging Microscope for Nano and Micro Fluidics
FY 2012-13
Summary
_At the small size of a flow in a micro-channel (less than 0.1 mm), mixing is dominated by diffusion and there are present other forces not normally observed. These include electro-static forces and near wall nano-scale forces that impact strongly on fluid transport. These flows fields are often mathematically modeled as 2D, however, 3D flows are present and are now used to enhance mixing. Experimental investigation allows the natural physical phenomenon to be researched with all physics present. Data collected would allow the identification of flow phenomenon and the verification of the simplified computational models of the fluid flow and flow processes.
_To experimentally research and investigate nano and micro scale flows, specific equipment is needed to allow interrogation of the flow. Classical microscopes can be used to image the flow, but being restricted to the microscopes geometry can limit the possible arrangements needed to access a microchannel flow and variables that can be investigated. To apply the latest ideas in measurement science, a custom build device is needed.
_This application will use commercially available equipment to assemble a microscope with several unique features that will place research at the University of Alberta at the forefront of nano and micro fluidic research. Three of these unique features are; 1) the capture of volume (3D) data from a single image using fluorescent light field imaging to determine the three components of velocity over three dimensions (3C3D); 2) two colour (dual camera) detection of fluorescent markers in the flow allowing field variables such as concentration, temperature and electric field strength to be determined, again over 3D and 3) use of field illumination with a multi-pass light cell which increases signal strength with minimum effect on the flow. Research that will be carried out using the proposed equipment will be both on the development of new measurement tools and the use of these tools to investigate specific research objectives.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
438795-2013
Name nom
Nobes, David
Department département
Mechanical Engineering
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2012
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
95500
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1512
Committee name en
Mechanical Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie mécanique
Area of application code
1206
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Engineering
Area of application fr
Génie
Research subject code
2100
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie mécanique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A Dual Camera Light Field Imaging Microscope for Nano and Micro Fluidics
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
_At the small size of a flow in a micro-channel (less than 0.1 mm), mixing is dominated by diffusion and there are present other forces not normally observed. These include electro-static forces and near wall nano-scale forces that impact strongly on fluid transport. These flows fields are often mathematically modeled as 2D, however, 3D flows are present and are now used to enhance mixing. Experimental investigation allows the natural physical phenomenon to be researched with all physics present. Data collected would allow the identification of flow phenomenon and the verification of the simplified computational models of the fluid flow and flow processes.
_To experimentally research and investigate nano and micro scale flows, specific equipment is needed to allow interrogation of the flow. Classical microscopes can be used to image the flow, but being restricted to the microscopes geometry can limit the possible arrangements needed to access a microchannel flow and variables that can be investigated. To apply the latest ideas in measurement science, a custom build device is needed.
_This application will use commercially available equipment to assemble a microscope with several unique features that will place research at the University of Alberta at the forefront of nano and micro fluidic research. Three of these unique features are; 1) the capture of volume (3D) data from a single image using fluorescent light field imaging to determine the three components of velocity over three dimensions (3C3D); 2) two colour (dual camera) detection of fluorescent markers in the flow allowing field variables such as concentration, temperature and electric field strength to be determined, again over 3D and 3) use of field illumination with a multi-pass light cell which increases signal strength with minimum effect on the flow. Research that will be carried out using the proposed equipment will be both on the development of new measurement tools and the use of these tools to investigate specific research objectives.
