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The advancement of micromanufacturing technology has fuelled the development of micro-systems for a wide range of electronic, biomedical and energy applications. The competence area Materials Science and Manufacturing has taken the lead in South Africa to establish the first micromanufacturing laboratory locally to focus on the manufacture of microscale components. First applications that will be focussed on is in the medical field in the form of microfluidics to be used in drug discovery and medical diagnostics.
Projects:
Microfluidics
A microfluidic channel is a structure fabricated in silicon, glass, or polymer on a plate. These channels are typically between 25 and 100 microns in size. It allows the flow of liquids and gases that can be manipulated and controlled.
The research project focus on the custom development of microfluidic channels and microreactors for enzymatic reactions. The spatial and temporal control of chemical reactions in the chemically intensive environment of microfluidics, coupled with high surface interactions, has been demonstrated to give faster reactions and improved product yields, with greater product selectivity compared with conventional bench top methodology.
Microfluidics in biocatalytic processes represent a novel approach to production flexibility with the advantages of reduced reagent consumption, improved performance, interconnected channel networks with multifunctional possibilities, inherent mechanical stability and the possibility of parallelisation for inexpensive mass production.
Micro Emulsion Systems
This project is done in collaboration wit the Polymers an Bioceramic group. Emulsions are basically a mixture of 2 phases typically oil and water, in the presence of surface active agents. We come into contact with emulsions daily ranging from paint, hand lotions, cough syrups to milk and mayonnaise, just to mention a few.
The project aims to develop a microfluidic emulsification demonstrators that can produce monodispersed particles. Such systems can be used in in the production of various products ranging from solid metal powder particles, polymeric microparticles, drug or cells encapsulated particles, self-immobilised biocatalysts, food-type emulsions, drug delivery systems etc.
Microfuel Cell
Project is done in collaboration with the Energy and Processes research group. Work focus on the improved and design of the flow fields of the micro fuel cell.
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