Investigation of Volume of Fluids (VOF) Method and System Models for Design of Microfluidic Ink Delivery Apparatus for Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN)

摘要

DPN™ is a versatile technology that leverages Scanning Probe Microscopy for applications in biotechnology, photomask repair, molecular-electronics, nano-electronics and mask-less lithography. The DPN process was augmented for biotechnology applications (genomics, proteomics) through the design, development, prototype fabrication, testing and manufacture of commercial microfluidic systems called "Inkwells™". In this study VOF method was used to simulate and optimize the design of micro-capillary flows in Inkwells. Subsequently the simulations were verified experimentally. Based on these results a novel system model was developed to predict the temporal sequence of flow in the different parts of the microfluidic network.