This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to intern under Dr. Tompkins and work with fellow student Aiden Orcutt to investigate microfluidics at Wabash College. Before I started this opportunity, I took Advanced Laboratory II during the Spring 2023 semester and was investigating the process of measuring the electric potential in a microfluidic device. First, I learned the process to be able to create a microfluidic device. This process is comprised of a couple main steps with dozens of smaller steps in between. Mainly using Autodesk Fusion 360, a CNC Milling Machine, PDMS castings, resin casting, a plasma oven, and a vacuum chamber. Originally looked at the electric potential of the precipitate formed by Cobalt Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide.
During the internship I developed my ability to use Autodesk Fusion 360 even more to design my microfluidic devices faster and with different designs. This software allowed me to generate G-code for the devices to be milled in a CNC milling machine. Switched to Iron Chloride Hexahydrate instead of Cobalt Chloride as the potential created would be larger. We found the best way to measure the electric potential thus, moved into the next stage which was to apply different potentials to the formation of the precipitate to see how growth of the membrane was affected. As well as working to use the electric potential created between copper and aluminum electrodes placed into a microfluidic device to power an LED. Through this experience I gained a ton of practical skills with procedure and Autodesk. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and plan to continue investigating microfluidics in the fall semester as an independent study
