Flow Cell Lab Activity

Introduction to Flow Cells

Typical Y-Flow Cell with Laminar Flow

The purpose of this experiment was to see if distinguishing a flow cells mixing area would change the flow through the system. In a regular T- or Y-flow cell there is a laminar flow, a flow in which the two sides do not mix, that can be manipulated to give a non-laminar flow through the system. Using ten different manipulation of a typical flow cell, a way of having a non-laminar flow was experimented. Blue and yellow dyed RO water was used to determine the laminar/non-laminar flow of the flow cells by way of parastaltic flow pumps. These flow cells were created using Tinkercad to make a virtual object, 3D printed, and casted with silicon. To attach the parastaltic pumps to the flow cell, an acrylic plastic was drilled and tapped at the precise measurements of the flow cell created. Each flow cell was used and it was determined which resulted in laminar flow and which resulted in non-laminar flow as shown below.

Producing The Virtual Object

Tinkercad.com

Sujith

Prep for 3d Printing

Select The Printer in Matter Control

A gcode file is required in order to print an object on the 3D printer. This file can be created by exporting one's Tinkercad object as an STL. The STL file can be imported into Matter Control.

The gcode file contains settings specific to the 3D printer being used in production of the flow cell. As a result, one must ensure that the proper printer, material, and settings are chosen before exportation of the final gcode.

Matter Control Layer Settings	Matter Control Infill Settings	Matter Control Raft Settings
Matter Control Support Settings	Matter Control Filament Settings	Matter Control Cooling Settings