CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Microfluidic Devices for Accessible Medical Diagnostics

Citation

Maltezos, George Manuel (2007) Microfluidic Devices for Accessible Medical Diagnostics. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/BWQC-RE07. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05282007-161248

Abstract

This thesis covers devices exploring basic areas of physical and biological research including: surface plasmon enhanced InGaN light-emitting diode, analysis of using AlGaN emitters coupled with thin film heaters to cure onychomycosis infections, tunable organic transistors that use microfluidic source and drain electrodes, as well as an electrical microfluidic pressure gauge for PDMS MEMS. Also analyzed are devices created through the use of novel three-dimensional rapid prototyping techniques, such as: the replication of three-dimensional valves from printed wax molds, chemically robust three-dimensional monolithic SIFEL fluoropolymer microfluidics, microfluidic valves for customized radioactive positron emission dyes, reduction of microfluidic control inputs through the use of pressure multiplexing, bicuspid-inspired microfluidic check valves and microfluidic three-dimensional separation column. Devices created to analyze blood are also treated including: a microfluidic device to extract blood plasma from a fingerstick; inexpensive, portable immunoassay devices and their use in in small cell lung carcinoma and multiple sclerosis; as well as a device to screen metastasizing cancer cells. Devices created to perform polymerase chain reactions are also studied, including: an evaporative cooler for microfluidic channels, thermal management in microfluidics using micro-Peltier junctions in a microfluidic polymerase chain reaction system, and an accessible polymerase chain reaction system.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:accesible; microfluidics; multiplexing; pcr; three-dimensional
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Electrical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Scherer, Axel
Thesis Committee:
  • Scherer, Axel (chair)
  • Baltimore, David L.
  • Gomez, Frank
  • Barbic, Mladen
  • Tombrello, Thomas A.
Defense Date:20 November 2006
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05282007-161248
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05282007-161248
DOI:10.7907/BWQC-RE07
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5208
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:31 May 2007
Last Modified:18 Mar 2020 18:56

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF (MaltezosThesisFINAL.pdf) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

5MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page