[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
imagine that every time you go to the
imagine that every time you go to the doctor you get a small finger prick and
doctor you get a small finger prick and
doctor you get a small finger prick and that resultant tiny droplet of blood is
that resultant tiny droplet of blood is
that resultant tiny droplet of blood is used to make 50 measurements in about 10
used to make 50 measurements in about 10
used to make 50 measurements in about 10 to 15 minutes and the information is
to 15 minutes and the information is
to 15 minutes and the information is added to your digital health record now
added to your digital health record now
added to your digital health record now this could become an invaluable asset to
this could become an invaluable asset to
this could become an invaluable asset to help prevent track your health and
help prevent track your health and
help prevent track your health and improve your health over time so for
improve your health over time so for
improve your health over time so for example it can be used to detect disease
example it can be used to detect disease
example it can be used to detect disease processes before they become serious
processes before they become serious
processes before they become serious such as cancer when they’re still very
such as cancer when they’re still very
such as cancer when they’re still very treatable in essence this measurement
treatable in essence this measurement
treatable in essence this measurement capability is the holy grail of
capability is the holy grail of
capability is the holy grail of diagnostic and preventive medicine
diagnostic and preventive medicine
diagnostic and preventive medicine there’s only one problem with this
there’s only one problem with this
there’s only one problem with this scenario however and that is that this
scenario however and that is that this
scenario however and that is that this device does not exist and this
device does not exist and this
device does not exist and this illustrates a profound truth about
illustrates a profound truth about
illustrates a profound truth about technology and how it intersects our
technology and how it intersects our
technology and how it intersects our lives and that is that what we can do in
lives and that is that what we can do in
lives and that is that what we can do in technology is defined by our tools and
technology is defined by our tools and
technology is defined by our tools and if we want new capabilities new
if we want new capabilities new
if we want new capabilities new possibilities we need to create new
possibilities we need to create new
possibilities we need to create new tools and what I’d like to talk with you
tools and what I’d like to talk with you
tools and what I’d like to talk with you about today is share my experience in
about today is share my experience in
about today is share my experience in developing a new tool to give us a new
developing a new tool to give us a new
developing a new tool to give us a new capability that has the potential to
capability that has the potential to
capability that has the potential to make this type of diagnostic device that
make this type of diagnostic device that
make this type of diagnostic device that we’ve just imagined a reality now to
we’ve just imagined a reality now to
we’ve just imagined a reality now to illustrate the problem to be solved
illustrate the problem to be solved
illustrate the problem to be solved envision walking into a medical
envision walking into a medical
envision walking into a medical diagnostic lab such as this one at our
diagnostic lab such as this one at our
diagnostic lab such as this one at our local hospital and you take this lab and
local hospital and you take this lab and
local hospital and you take this lab and shrink it down to a tiny chip this is
shrink it down to a tiny chip this is
shrink it down to a tiny chip this is the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip
the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip
the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip with the lab on a chip field the whole
with the lab on a chip field the whole
with the lab on a chip field the whole point is to make microfluidic devices in
point is to make microfluidic devices in
point is to make microfluidic devices in which we can make take tiny sample
which we can make take tiny sample
which we can make take tiny sample volumes like a ton of small prick a
volumes like a ton of small prick a
volumes like a ton of small prick a blood finger prick of blood and do a
blood finger prick of blood and do a
blood finger prick of blood and do a biochemical analysis to get whatever
biochemical analysis to get whatever
biochemical analysis to get whatever information it is that we’re looking for
information it is that we’re looking for
information it is that we’re looking for from that sample and as you’d guess from
from that sample and as you’d guess from
from that sample and as you’d guess from the term microfluidic Micro indicates
the term microfluidic Micro indicates
the term microfluidic Micro indicates small how small well individual features
small how small well individual features
small how small well individual features on these microfluidic devices need to be
on these microfluidic devices need to be
on these microfluidic devices need to be about a hundred microns or less now I
about a hundred microns or less now I
about a hundred microns or less now I know you’re probably saying to yourself
know you’re probably saying to yourself
know you’re probably saying to yourself what is a micron it’s not a unit that we
what is a micron it’s not a unit that we
what is a micron it’s not a unit that we typically use every day so let me let me
typically use every day so let me let me
typically use every day so let me let me just
just
just it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter
it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter
it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter now again you’re probably saying that’s
now again you’re probably saying that’s
now again you’re probably saying that’s really not doing it for me okay a
really not doing it for me okay a
really not doing it for me okay a millimeter how big is that well that is
millimeter how big is that well that is
millimeter how big is that well that is the size of a poppy seed like you would
the size of a poppy seed like you would
the size of a poppy seed like you would have on a poppy seed muffin and so
have on a poppy seed muffin and so
have on a poppy seed muffin and so that’s the black object in the center
that’s the black object in the center
that’s the black object in the center here next to on the left a small kernel
here next to on the left a small kernel
here next to on the left a small kernel of the brown rice and on the right a
of the brown rice and on the right a
of the brown rice and on the right a human hair so 100 microns then is one
human hair so 100 microns then is one
human hair so 100 microns then is one hundred thousandths of a millimeter or
hundred thousandths of a millimeter or
hundred thousandths of a millimeter or in other words easier to understand it’s
in other words easier to understand it’s
in other words easier to understand it’s just the diameter of a human hair so
just the diameter of a human hair so
just the diameter of a human hair so that’s about the size of the features we
that’s about the size of the features we
that’s about the size of the features we need to be able to create for
need to be able to create for
need to be able to create for microfluidic devices so what exactly are
microfluidic devices so what exactly are
microfluidic devices so what exactly are these features that need to be so small
these features that need to be so small
these features that need to be so small in a microfluidic device well you can
in a microfluidic device well you can
in a microfluidic device well you can think of such device as kind of like a
think of such device as kind of like a
think of such device as kind of like a building with hallways and rooms and
building with hallways and rooms and
building with hallways and rooms and it’s made out of a transparent plastic
it’s made out of a transparent plastic
it’s made out of a transparent plastic and of course is very small now the
and of course is very small now the
and of course is very small now the purpose of the hallways they’re
purpose of the hallways they’re
purpose of the hallways they’re basically these small hair sized little
basically these small hair sized little
basically these small hair sized little channels through it’s through which
channels through it’s through which
channels through it’s through which fluids flow to the rooms and in the
fluids flow to the rooms and in the
fluids flow to the rooms and in the rooms those are tiny chambers in which
rooms those are tiny chambers in which
rooms those are tiny chambers in which we do biochemical processes and analyses
we do biochemical processes and analyses
we do biochemical processes and analyses to extract the information we’re looking
to extract the information we’re looking
to extract the information we’re looking for from the sample now we won’t discuss
for from the sample now we won’t discuss
for from the sample now we won’t discuss what goes on in these rooms to get that
what goes on in these rooms to get that
what goes on in these rooms to get that information instead let’s talk about how
information instead let’s talk about how
information instead let’s talk about how you make the tiny little structures in
you make the tiny little structures in
you make the tiny little structures in the first place because after all you
the first place because after all you
the first place because after all you need to be able to make the structures
need to be able to make the structures
need to be able to make the structures make a microfluidic device in order to
make a microfluidic device in order to
make a microfluidic device in order to use it so Howard microfluidic devices
use it so Howard microfluidic devices
use it so Howard microfluidic devices normally made well usually they’re
normally made well usually they’re
normally made well usually they’re fabricated in a cleanroom one of those
fabricated in a cleanroom one of those
fabricated in a cleanroom one of those rooms where people run around in bunny
rooms where people run around in bunny
rooms where people run around in bunny suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s
suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s
suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s shown here now clean rooms are used to
shown here now clean rooms are used to
shown here now clean rooms are used to make very tiny structures on things like
make very tiny structures on things like
make very tiny structures on things like silicon chips and all kinds of other
silicon chips and all kinds of other
silicon chips and all kinds of other sorts of devices and they’re very
sorts of devices and they’re very
sorts of devices and they’re very expensive to set up and to operate but
expensive to set up and to operate but
expensive to set up and to operate but once you have a cleanroom then you can
once you have a cleanroom then you can
once you have a cleanroom then you can make microfluidic devices and how you
make microfluidic devices and how you
make microfluidic devices and how you make them is you basically create
make them is you basically create
make them is you basically create individual layers with some kind of
individual layers with some kind of
individual layers with some kind of surface features and maybe some holes
surface features and maybe some holes
surface features and maybe some holes and then you take those and you stack
and then you take those and you stack
and then you take those and you stack them up aligned just so bond them
them up aligned just so bond them
them up aligned just so bond them together and
together and
together and you have a completed device now I have
you have a completed device now I have
you have a completed device now I have to confess this is a very slow and
to confess this is a very slow and
to confess this is a very slow and cumbersome process and can be quite
cumbersome process and can be quite
cumbersome process and can be quite error-prone in my university research
error-prone in my university research
error-prone in my university research group we’ve made many types of
group we’ve made many types of
group we’ve made many types of microfluidic devices over the years and
microfluidic devices over the years and
microfluidic devices over the years and associated biosensors so for example the
associated biosensors so for example the
associated biosensors so for example the object on the right here is a
object on the right here is a
object on the right here is a microfluidic device integrated on top of
microfluidic device integrated on top of
microfluidic device integrated on top of the silicon bio sensor and it took a
the silicon bio sensor and it took a
the silicon bio sensor and it took a really long time to make these things
really long time to make these things
really long time to make these things all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom
all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom
all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom the microfluidic part took months and
the microfluidic part took months and
the microfluidic part took months and the silicon part took literally years in
the silicon part took literally years in
the silicon part took literally years in the process of developing this device
the process of developing this device
the process of developing this device and many others I found myself with a
and many others I found myself with a
and many others I found myself with a growing sense of frustration how long it
growing sense of frustration how long it
growing sense of frustration how long it took to do the microfluidic piece you
took to do the microfluidic piece you
took to do the microfluidic piece you know if you’re lucky you could get it
know if you’re lucky you could get it
know if you’re lucky you could get it done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it
done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it
done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it would take months and too often it just
would take months and too often it just
would take months and too often it just never happened because it was just too
never happened because it was just too
never happened because it was just too hard so instead I wanted to find a way
hard so instead I wanted to find a way
hard so instead I wanted to find a way to make these kinds of devices that
to make these kinds of devices that
to make these kinds of devices that would do it in say a few hours or a few
would do it in say a few hours or a few
would do it in say a few hours or a few days at most so in late 2012 I started
days at most so in late 2012 I started
days at most so in late 2012 I started to think about 3d printing as a possible
to think about 3d printing as a possible
to think about 3d printing as a possible method of doing this kind of fabrication
method of doing this kind of fabrication
method of doing this kind of fabrication and of course if you could get 3d
and of course if you could get 3d
and of course if you could get 3d printing to work then you get rid of the
printing to work then you get rid of the
printing to work then you get rid of the whole cleanroom so you you eliminate
whole cleanroom so you you eliminate
whole cleanroom so you you eliminate that whole expense which means many more
that whole expense which means many more
that whole expense which means many more people can engage in the process of
people can engage in the process of
people can engage in the process of microfluidic device development let’s
microfluidic device development let’s
microfluidic device development let’s think about what a microfluidic
think about what a microfluidic
think about what a microfluidic or rather what a 3d printer needs to do
or rather what a 3d printer needs to do
or rather what a 3d printer needs to do fundamentally in the simplest possible
fundamentally in the simplest possible
fundamentally in the simplest possible terms it you need to be able to take a
terms it you need to be able to take a
terms it you need to be able to take a liquid precursor material like this
liquid precursor material like this
liquid precursor material like this yellowish liquid in this little tray and
yellowish liquid in this little tray and
yellowish liquid in this little tray and turn it into using your 3d printer some
turn it into using your 3d printer some
turn it into using your 3d printer some kind of a solid device with all kinds of
kind of a solid device with all kinds of
kind of a solid device with all kinds of structures in it so that’s really the
structures in it so that’s really the
structures in it so that’s really the purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not
purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not
purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not going to talk about exactly how that’s
going to talk about exactly how that’s
going to talk about exactly how that’s done instead what we want to focus on is
done instead what we want to focus on is
done instead what we want to focus on is what kind of structures we need that 3d
what kind of structures we need that 3d
what kind of structures we need that 3d printer to make in this solidified
printer to make in this solidified
printer to make in this solidified plastic part in the end and we’ll start
plastic part in the end and we’ll start
plastic part in the end and we’ll start with the simplest possible feature you
with the simplest possible feature you
with the simplest possible feature you can make and that is a fluid channel
can make and that is a fluid channel
can make and that is a fluid channel which is in essence the hallway in our
which is in essence the hallway in our
which is in essence the hallway in our building analogy and we want to be able
building analogy and we want to be able
building analogy and we want to be able to make these as small as possible
to make these as small as possible
to make these as small as possible so we can make our devices small
so we can make our devices small
so we can make our devices small so to get an idea of what 3d printers
so to get an idea of what 3d printers
so to get an idea of what 3d printers could do I created a simple design sent
could do I created a simple design sent
could do I created a simple design sent it off to a bunch of service bureaus and
it off to a bunch of service bureaus and
it off to a bunch of service bureaus and asked them to use the highest and most
asked them to use the highest and most
asked them to use the highest and most highest resolution best 3d printers and
highest resolution best 3d printers and
highest resolution best 3d printers and materials that they could do and then we
materials that they could do and then we
materials that they could do and then we would evaluate the result and what we
would evaluate the result and what we
would evaluate the result and what we got back with something like this this
got back with something like this this
got back with something like this this is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25
is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25
is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25 times bigger than a human hair and the
times bigger than a human hair and the
times bigger than a human hair and the results are pretty sad except the one on
results are pretty sad except the one on
results are pretty sad except the one on the right that actually looks pretty
the right that actually looks pretty
the right that actually looks pretty good but as you decrease the size the
good but as you decrease the size the
good but as you decrease the size the channel things just get progressively
channel things just get progressively
channel things just get progressively worse
worse
worse until it’s just not doable so the bottom
until it’s just not doable so the bottom
until it’s just not doable so the bottom line is that commercial 3d printers just
line is that commercial 3d printers just
line is that commercial 3d printers just cannot do the job required to make
cannot do the job required to make
cannot do the job required to make microfluidic devices and of course this
microfluidic devices and of course this
microfluidic devices and of course this is not very surprising because such
is not very surprising because such
is not very surprising because such printers were designed for other types
printers were designed for other types
printers were designed for other types of applications at which they’re very
of applications at which they’re very
of applications at which they’re very good it’s just not not this application
good it’s just not not this application
good it’s just not not this application so at this point I saw that our only
so at this point I saw that our only
so at this point I saw that our only option was to build our own 3d printer
option was to build our own 3d printer
option was to build our own 3d printer in other words create a new tool so that
in other words create a new tool so that
in other words create a new tool so that we would have new possibilities and
we would have new possibilities and
we would have new possibilities and after a lot of planning fundraising
after a lot of planning fundraising
after a lot of planning fundraising designing building struggling the usual
designing building struggling the usual
designing building struggling the usual sort of thing this is the 3d printer
sort of thing this is the 3d printer
sort of thing this is the 3d printer that we came up with and next to it is
that we came up with and next to it is
that we came up with and next to it is standing my graduate student Fogg Wong
standing my graduate student Fogg Wong
standing my graduate student Fogg Wong who was intimately involved in making
who was intimately involved in making
who was intimately involved in making the printer and he’s there to give a
the printer and he’s there to give a
the printer and he’s there to give a sense of scale and of course also to
sense of scale and of course also to
sense of scale and of course also to subtly give him some kudos because of
subtly give him some kudos because of
subtly give him some kudos because of the great job you did now to use this
the great job you did now to use this
the great job you did now to use this new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices
new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices
new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices for healthcare and other applications we
for healthcare and other applications we
for healthcare and other applications we first need to be able to make
first need to be able to make
first need to be able to make fundamental building block structures
fundamental building block structures
fundamental building block structures from which all such microfluidic devices
from which all such microfluidic devices
from which all such microfluidic devices are made out of and we’re still in the
are made out of and we’re still in the
are made out of and we’re still in the early stages of doing this but what I’d
early stages of doing this but what I’d
early stages of doing this but what I’d like to do is show you some of what
like to do is show you some of what
like to do is show you some of what we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of
we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of
we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of where we’re at and we’ll start with
where we’re at and we’ll start with
where we’re at and we’ll start with small channels and so in this schematic
small channels and so in this schematic
small channels and so in this schematic drawing on the left is the size of a
drawing on the left is the size of a
drawing on the left is the size of a channel about the size of human hair and
channel about the size of human hair and
channel about the size of human hair and on the right is the size of a channel
on the right is the size of a channel
on the right is the size of a channel that we can now make with our 3d printer
that we can now make with our 3d printer
that we can now make with our 3d printer and here is a scanning electron
and here is a scanning electron
and here is a scanning electron microscope image of an actual 3d printed
microscope image of an actual 3d printed
microscope image of an actual 3d printed Channel
Channel
Channel and the beautiful thing here is this is
and the beautiful thing here is this is
and the beautiful thing here is this is now 25 times smaller than a human hair
now 25 times smaller than a human hair
now 25 times smaller than a human hair so the size is absolutely awesome it is
so the size is absolutely awesome it is
so the size is absolutely awesome it is just outstanding how small we can make
just outstanding how small we can make
just outstanding how small we can make these things now just like in a building
these things now just like in a building
these things now just like in a building you need doors to separate various rooms
you need doors to separate various rooms
you need doors to separate various rooms and hallways from each other in a
and hallways from each other in a
and hallways from each other in a microfluidic device you need the
microfluidic device you need the
microfluidic device you need the equivalent in order to be able to send
equivalent in order to be able to send
equivalent in order to be able to send fluids where you need them to go when
fluids where you need them to go when
fluids where you need them to go when you need them to go there and of course
you need them to go there and of course
you need them to go there and of course these structures we call it valves and
these structures we call it valves and
these structures we call it valves and we could talk about how they’re designed
we could talk about how they’re designed
we could talk about how they’re designed but in essence we have a cylindrical
but in essence we have a cylindrical
but in essence we have a cylindrical region that’s separated into two parts
region that’s separated into two parts
region that’s separated into two parts by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d
by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d
by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d printed as part of the same print and
printed as part of the same print and
printed as part of the same print and the lower part is for fluids the upper
the lower part is for fluids the upper
the lower part is for fluids the upper part we can pressurize such that we can
part we can pressurize such that we can
part we can pressurize such that we can bend that membrane and close off the two
bend that membrane and close off the two
bend that membrane and close off the two channels in the bottom part thereby
channels in the bottom part thereby
channels in the bottom part thereby closing the valve or we can release the
closing the valve or we can release the
closing the valve or we can release the pressure have that membrane spring back
pressure have that membrane spring back
pressure have that membrane spring back up and then the valve is open so in 2011
up and then the valve is open so in 2011
up and then the valve is open so in 2011 we first made the bowels of this type
we first made the bowels of this type
we first made the bowels of this type using a cleanroom process and the same
using a cleanroom process and the same
using a cleanroom process and the same kind of material we use now on our 3d
kind of material we use now on our 3d
kind of material we use now on our 3d printer and the smallest way we could
printer and the smallest way we could
printer and the smallest way we could get was about 700 microns which was okay
get was about 700 microns which was okay
get was about 700 microns which was okay but not very exciting in 2015 we got our
but not very exciting in 2015 we got our
but not very exciting in 2015 we got our first 3d printer the smallest valve we
first 3d printer the smallest valve we
first 3d printer the smallest valve we could make was 2 millimeters in diameter
could make was 2 millimeters in diameter
could make was 2 millimeters in diameter which is just absolutely huge I mean
which is just absolutely huge I mean
which is just absolutely huge I mean this is just way beyond where we want to
this is just way beyond where we want to
this is just way beyond where we want to be the next year we got another 3d
be the next year we got another 3d
be the next year we got another 3d printer and we were able to decrease the
printer and we were able to decrease the
printer and we were able to decrease the size down to a little over a millimeter
size down to a little over a millimeter
size down to a little over a millimeter but still this is big not terribly
but still this is big not terribly
but still this is big not terribly exciting and last year when we finished
exciting and last year when we finished
exciting and last year when we finished making our own 3d printer we could
making our own 3d printer we could
making our own 3d printer we could easily get 300 micron diameter valves
easily get 300 micron diameter valves
easily get 300 micron diameter valves and over the last month we’ve actually
and over the last month we’ve actually
and over the last month we’ve actually got this down to 150 microns so now it’s
got this down to 150 microns so now it’s
got this down to 150 microns so now it’s totally awesome in terms of how small we
totally awesome in terms of how small we
totally awesome in terms of how small we can make these things so for example
can make these things so for example
can make these things so for example here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron
here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron
here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron valve with red fluid in the fluid
valve with red fluid in the fluid
valve with red fluid in the fluid regions just so you kind of visualize it
regions just so you kind of visualize it
regions just so you kind of visualize it and this is what they look like when
and this is what they look like when
and this is what they look like when we’re closed when that membrane is as
we’re closed when that membrane is as
we’re closed when that membrane is as depressed and basically these things
depressed and basically these things
depressed and basically these things work awesome you know here’s 45 valves
work awesome you know here’s 45 valves
work awesome you know here’s 45 valves just arranged in a simple test array and
just arranged in a simple test array and
just arranged in a simple test array and we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi
we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi
we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi on/off they still work just fine so
on/off they still work just fine so
on/off they still work just fine so they’re very rope
they’re very rope
they’re very rope so once we have boughs then it’s pretty
so once we have boughs then it’s pretty
so once we have boughs then it’s pretty straightforward to make pumps so here’s
straightforward to make pumps so here’s
straightforward to make pumps so here’s an example of a pump and it’s that
an example of a pump and it’s that
an example of a pump and it’s that little thing on the on the left it’s
little thing on the on the left it’s
little thing on the on the left it’s kind of bopping around and you can see
kind of bopping around and you can see
kind of bopping around and you can see the red fluid getting pushed through the
the red fluid getting pushed through the
the red fluid getting pushed through the serpentine channel there and all of this
serpentine channel there and all of this
serpentine channel there and all of this is 3d printed very tiny now once we have
is 3d printed very tiny now once we have
is 3d printed very tiny now once we have small channels valves pumps then we’re
small channels valves pumps then we’re
small channels valves pumps then we’re all set to be able to make other little
all set to be able to make other little
all set to be able to make other little or more sophisticated sub components
or more sophisticated sub components
or more sophisticated sub components that you need to be able to make
that you need to be able to make
that you need to be able to make microfluidic devices that have a lot of
microfluidic devices that have a lot of
microfluidic devices that have a lot of capability so for example when you’re
capability so for example when you’re
capability so for example when you’re monitoring say diabetes you need to
monitoring say diabetes you need to
monitoring say diabetes you need to measure blood sugar and often those
measure blood sugar and often those
measure blood sugar and often those measurement techniques you need to
measurement techniques you need to
measurement techniques you need to dilute the sample so we decide or rather
dilute the sample so we decide or rather
dilute the sample so we decide or rather we designed a system that would do an
we designed a system that would do an
we designed a system that would do an arbitrary dilution by you you can select
arbitrary dilution by you you can select
arbitrary dilution by you you can select what you want also does all the mixing
what you want also does all the mixing
what you want also does all the mixing and the pumping and everything else so
and the pumping and everything else so
and the pumping and everything else so we won’t go through the block diagram
we won’t go through the block diagram
we won’t go through the block diagram but I want to show you the 3d CAD
but I want to show you the 3d CAD
but I want to show you the 3d CAD drawing and when you look at that it
drawing and when you look at that it
drawing and when you look at that it seems to be quite complicated and of
seems to be quite complicated and of
seems to be quite complicated and of course that’s because it is it’s a
course that’s because it is it’s a
course that’s because it is it’s a pretty complicated little thing and the
pretty complicated little thing and the
pretty complicated little thing and the interesting thing is you could never
interesting thing is you could never
interesting thing is you could never make this in a cleanroom but with 3d
make this in a cleanroom but with 3d
make this in a cleanroom but with 3d printing complexity is basically free in
printing complexity is basically free in
printing complexity is basically free in other words it doesn’t take any longer
other words it doesn’t take any longer
other words it doesn’t take any longer to make something complex as it does
to make something complex as it does
to make something complex as it does something simple and so here we have
something simple and so here we have
something simple and so here we have this thing actually fabricated in
this thing actually fabricated in
this thing actually fabricated in operation we’ve got a little pump
operation we’ve got a little pump
operation we’ve got a little pump pumping some red fluids a little pump
pumping some red fluids a little pump
pumping some red fluids a little pump pumping some clear fluid it goes into
pumping some clear fluid it goes into
pumping some clear fluid it goes into that big circular region which is the
that big circular region which is the
that big circular region which is the mixer and it’s kind of like after your
mixer and it’s kind of like after your
mixer and it’s kind of like after your workout when you shake up the protein
workout when you shake up the protein
workout when you shake up the protein drink that’s basically what the mixer
drink that’s basically what the mixer
drink that’s basically what the mixer does except on a very tiny scale and
does except on a very tiny scale and
does except on a very tiny scale and then it pumps it out the the outlet
then it pumps it out the the outlet
then it pumps it out the the outlet Channel and the beautiful thing about
Channel and the beautiful thing about
Channel and the beautiful thing about this is the size of it is essentially
this is the size of it is essentially
this is the size of it is essentially the size of a sesame seed and so what
the size of a sesame seed and so what
the size of a sesame seed and so what we’ve done just for fun is shown that
we’ve done just for fun is shown that
we’ve done just for fun is shown that you can make a lot of these things at
you can make a lot of these things at
you can make a lot of these things at once so here’s 60 of these little mixer
once so here’s 60 of these little mixer
once so here’s 60 of these little mixer pumps printed in one print run which
pumps printed in one print run which
pumps printed in one print run which takes only 30 minutes and the
takes only 30 minutes and the
takes only 30 minutes and the interesting thing about this is it
interesting thing about this is it
interesting thing about this is it suggests that you could actually use
suggests that you could actually use
suggests that you could actually use this type of 3d printing for
this type of 3d printing for
this type of 3d printing for manufacturing in addition to prototyping
manufacturing in addition to prototyping
manufacturing in addition to prototyping but that’s actually a story for another
but that’s actually a story for another
but that’s actually a story for another time
time
time so in summary what we’ve done is taken
so in summary what we’ve done is taken
so in summary what we’ve done is taken this clean room slow method of making
this clean room slow method of making
this clean room slow method of making microfluidic devices and turned it into
microfluidic devices and turned it into
microfluidic devices and turned it into a little small in comparison a 3d
a little small in comparison a 3d
a little small in comparison a 3d printer that eliminates the huge cost of
printer that eliminates the huge cost of
printer that eliminates the huge cost of the cleanroom and allows you to make
the cleanroom and allows you to make
the cleanroom and allows you to make prints very quickly we routinely two
prints very quickly we routinely two
prints very quickly we routinely two things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20
things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20
things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20 minutes 40 minutes depending upon the
minutes 40 minutes depending upon the
minutes 40 minutes depending upon the device and and we can make very complex
device and and we can make very complex
device and and we can make very complex devices because it doesn’t take any
devices because it doesn’t take any
devices because it doesn’t take any longer to do that so ultimately what
longer to do that so ultimately what
longer to do that so ultimately what we’re doing is summed up in this quote
we’re doing is summed up in this quote
we’re doing is summed up in this quote by Steve Jobs what’s important is that
by Steve Jobs what’s important is that
by Steve Jobs what’s important is that you have faith in people that they’re
you have faith in people that they’re
you have faith in people that they’re basically good and smart and if you give
basically good and smart and if you give
basically good and smart and if you give them tools they’ll do wonderful things
them tools they’ll do wonderful things
them tools they’ll do wonderful things with them we are really excited to see
with them we are really excited to see
with them we are really excited to see the wonderful things that people will do
the wonderful things that people will do
the wonderful things that people will do with the new tool that we’ve created
with the new tool that we’ve created
with the new tool that we’ve created thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
imagine that every time you go to the
imagine that every time you go to the doctor you get a small finger prick and
doctor you get a small finger prick and
doctor you get a small finger prick and that resultant tiny droplet of blood is
that resultant tiny droplet of blood is
that resultant tiny droplet of blood is used to make 50 measurements in about 10
used to make 50 measurements in about 10
used to make 50 measurements in about 10 to 15 minutes and the information is
to 15 minutes and the information is
to 15 minutes and the information is added to your digital health record now
added to your digital health record now
added to your digital health record now this could become an invaluable asset to
this could become an invaluable asset to
this could become an invaluable asset to help prevent track your health and
help prevent track your health and
help prevent track your health and improve your health over time so for
improve your health over time so for
improve your health over time so for example it can be used to detect disease
example it can be used to detect disease
example it can be used to detect disease processes before they become serious
processes before they become serious
processes before they become serious such as cancer when they’re still very
such as cancer when they’re still very
such as cancer when they’re still very treatable in essence this measurement
treatable in essence this measurement
treatable in essence this measurement capability is the holy grail of
capability is the holy grail of
capability is the holy grail of diagnostic and preventive medicine
diagnostic and preventive medicine
diagnostic and preventive medicine there’s only one problem with this
there’s only one problem with this
there’s only one problem with this scenario however and that is that this
scenario however and that is that this
scenario however and that is that this device does not exist and this
device does not exist and this
device does not exist and this illustrates a profound truth about
illustrates a profound truth about
illustrates a profound truth about technology and how it intersects our
technology and how it intersects our
technology and how it intersects our lives and that is that what we can do in
lives and that is that what we can do in
lives and that is that what we can do in technology is defined by our tools and
technology is defined by our tools and
technology is defined by our tools and if we want new capabilities new
if we want new capabilities new
if we want new capabilities new possibilities we need to create new
possibilities we need to create new
possibilities we need to create new tools and what I’d like to talk with you
tools and what I’d like to talk with you
tools and what I’d like to talk with you about today is share my experience in
about today is share my experience in
about today is share my experience in developing a new tool to give us a new
developing a new tool to give us a new
developing a new tool to give us a new capability that has the potential to
capability that has the potential to
capability that has the potential to make this type of diagnostic device that
make this type of diagnostic device that
make this type of diagnostic device that we’ve just imagined a reality now to
we’ve just imagined a reality now to
we’ve just imagined a reality now to illustrate the problem to be solved
illustrate the problem to be solved
illustrate the problem to be solved envision walking into a medical
envision walking into a medical
envision walking into a medical diagnostic lab such as this one at our
diagnostic lab such as this one at our
diagnostic lab such as this one at our local hospital and you take this lab and
local hospital and you take this lab and
local hospital and you take this lab and shrink it down to a tiny chip this is
shrink it down to a tiny chip this is
shrink it down to a tiny chip this is the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip
the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip
the scientific field of lab-on-a-chip with the lab on a chip field the whole
with the lab on a chip field the whole
with the lab on a chip field the whole point is to make microfluidic devices in
point is to make microfluidic devices in
point is to make microfluidic devices in which we can make take tiny sample
which we can make take tiny sample
which we can make take tiny sample volumes like a ton of small prick a
volumes like a ton of small prick a
volumes like a ton of small prick a blood finger prick of blood and do a
blood finger prick of blood and do a
blood finger prick of blood and do a biochemical analysis to get whatever
biochemical analysis to get whatever
biochemical analysis to get whatever information it is that we’re looking for
information it is that we’re looking for
information it is that we’re looking for from that sample and as you’d guess from
from that sample and as you’d guess from
from that sample and as you’d guess from the term microfluidic Micro indicates
the term microfluidic Micro indicates
the term microfluidic Micro indicates small how small well individual features
small how small well individual features
small how small well individual features on these microfluidic devices need to be
on these microfluidic devices need to be
on these microfluidic devices need to be about a hundred microns or less now I
about a hundred microns or less now I
about a hundred microns or less now I know you’re probably saying to yourself
know you’re probably saying to yourself
know you’re probably saying to yourself what is a micron it’s not a unit that we
what is a micron it’s not a unit that we
what is a micron it’s not a unit that we typically use every day so let me let me
typically use every day so let me let me
typically use every day so let me let me just
just
just it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter
it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter
it’s one one thousandth of a millimeter now again you’re probably saying that’s
now again you’re probably saying that’s
now again you’re probably saying that’s really not doing it for me okay a
really not doing it for me okay a
really not doing it for me okay a millimeter how big is that well that is
millimeter how big is that well that is
millimeter how big is that well that is the size of a poppy seed like you would
the size of a poppy seed like you would
the size of a poppy seed like you would have on a poppy seed muffin and so
have on a poppy seed muffin and so
have on a poppy seed muffin and so that’s the black object in the center
that’s the black object in the center
that’s the black object in the center here next to on the left a small kernel
here next to on the left a small kernel
here next to on the left a small kernel of the brown rice and on the right a
of the brown rice and on the right a
of the brown rice and on the right a human hair so 100 microns then is one
human hair so 100 microns then is one
human hair so 100 microns then is one hundred thousandths of a millimeter or
hundred thousandths of a millimeter or
hundred thousandths of a millimeter or in other words easier to understand it’s
in other words easier to understand it’s
in other words easier to understand it’s just the diameter of a human hair so
just the diameter of a human hair so
just the diameter of a human hair so that’s about the size of the features we
that’s about the size of the features we
that’s about the size of the features we need to be able to create for
need to be able to create for
need to be able to create for microfluidic devices so what exactly are
microfluidic devices so what exactly are
microfluidic devices so what exactly are these features that need to be so small
these features that need to be so small
these features that need to be so small in a microfluidic device well you can
in a microfluidic device well you can
in a microfluidic device well you can think of such device as kind of like a
think of such device as kind of like a
think of such device as kind of like a building with hallways and rooms and
building with hallways and rooms and
building with hallways and rooms and it’s made out of a transparent plastic
it’s made out of a transparent plastic
it’s made out of a transparent plastic and of course is very small now the
and of course is very small now the
and of course is very small now the purpose of the hallways they’re
purpose of the hallways they’re
purpose of the hallways they’re basically these small hair sized little
basically these small hair sized little
basically these small hair sized little channels through it’s through which
channels through it’s through which
channels through it’s through which fluids flow to the rooms and in the
fluids flow to the rooms and in the
fluids flow to the rooms and in the rooms those are tiny chambers in which
rooms those are tiny chambers in which
rooms those are tiny chambers in which we do biochemical processes and analyses
we do biochemical processes and analyses
we do biochemical processes and analyses to extract the information we’re looking
to extract the information we’re looking
to extract the information we’re looking for from the sample now we won’t discuss
for from the sample now we won’t discuss
for from the sample now we won’t discuss what goes on in these rooms to get that
what goes on in these rooms to get that
what goes on in these rooms to get that information instead let’s talk about how
information instead let’s talk about how
information instead let’s talk about how you make the tiny little structures in
you make the tiny little structures in
you make the tiny little structures in the first place because after all you
the first place because after all you
the first place because after all you need to be able to make the structures
need to be able to make the structures
need to be able to make the structures make a microfluidic device in order to
make a microfluidic device in order to
make a microfluidic device in order to use it so Howard microfluidic devices
use it so Howard microfluidic devices
use it so Howard microfluidic devices normally made well usually they’re
normally made well usually they’re
normally made well usually they’re fabricated in a cleanroom one of those
fabricated in a cleanroom one of those
fabricated in a cleanroom one of those rooms where people run around in bunny
rooms where people run around in bunny
rooms where people run around in bunny suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s
suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s
suits such as the BYU cleanroom that’s shown here now clean rooms are used to
shown here now clean rooms are used to
shown here now clean rooms are used to make very tiny structures on things like
make very tiny structures on things like
make very tiny structures on things like silicon chips and all kinds of other
silicon chips and all kinds of other
silicon chips and all kinds of other sorts of devices and they’re very
sorts of devices and they’re very
sorts of devices and they’re very expensive to set up and to operate but
expensive to set up and to operate but
expensive to set up and to operate but once you have a cleanroom then you can
once you have a cleanroom then you can
once you have a cleanroom then you can make microfluidic devices and how you
make microfluidic devices and how you
make microfluidic devices and how you make them is you basically create
make them is you basically create
make them is you basically create individual layers with some kind of
individual layers with some kind of
individual layers with some kind of surface features and maybe some holes
surface features and maybe some holes
surface features and maybe some holes and then you take those and you stack
and then you take those and you stack
and then you take those and you stack them up aligned just so bond them
them up aligned just so bond them
them up aligned just so bond them together and
together and
together and you have a completed device now I have
you have a completed device now I have
you have a completed device now I have to confess this is a very slow and
to confess this is a very slow and
to confess this is a very slow and cumbersome process and can be quite
cumbersome process and can be quite
cumbersome process and can be quite error-prone in my university research
error-prone in my university research
error-prone in my university research group we’ve made many types of
group we’ve made many types of
group we’ve made many types of microfluidic devices over the years and
microfluidic devices over the years and
microfluidic devices over the years and associated biosensors so for example the
associated biosensors so for example the
associated biosensors so for example the object on the right here is a
object on the right here is a
object on the right here is a microfluidic device integrated on top of
microfluidic device integrated on top of
microfluidic device integrated on top of the silicon bio sensor and it took a
the silicon bio sensor and it took a
the silicon bio sensor and it took a really long time to make these things
really long time to make these things
really long time to make these things all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom
all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom
all of which we did in the BYU cleanroom the microfluidic part took months and
the microfluidic part took months and
the microfluidic part took months and the silicon part took literally years in
the silicon part took literally years in
the silicon part took literally years in the process of developing this device
the process of developing this device
the process of developing this device and many others I found myself with a
and many others I found myself with a
and many others I found myself with a growing sense of frustration how long it
growing sense of frustration how long it
growing sense of frustration how long it took to do the microfluidic piece you
took to do the microfluidic piece you
took to do the microfluidic piece you know if you’re lucky you could get it
know if you’re lucky you could get it
know if you’re lucky you could get it done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it
done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it
done in weeks if you’re not so lucky it would take months and too often it just
would take months and too often it just
would take months and too often it just never happened because it was just too
never happened because it was just too
never happened because it was just too hard so instead I wanted to find a way
hard so instead I wanted to find a way
hard so instead I wanted to find a way to make these kinds of devices that
to make these kinds of devices that
to make these kinds of devices that would do it in say a few hours or a few
would do it in say a few hours or a few
would do it in say a few hours or a few days at most so in late 2012 I started
days at most so in late 2012 I started
days at most so in late 2012 I started to think about 3d printing as a possible
to think about 3d printing as a possible
to think about 3d printing as a possible method of doing this kind of fabrication
method of doing this kind of fabrication
method of doing this kind of fabrication and of course if you could get 3d
and of course if you could get 3d
and of course if you could get 3d printing to work then you get rid of the
printing to work then you get rid of the
printing to work then you get rid of the whole cleanroom so you you eliminate
whole cleanroom so you you eliminate
whole cleanroom so you you eliminate that whole expense which means many more
that whole expense which means many more
that whole expense which means many more people can engage in the process of
people can engage in the process of
people can engage in the process of microfluidic device development let’s
microfluidic device development let’s
microfluidic device development let’s think about what a microfluidic
think about what a microfluidic
think about what a microfluidic or rather what a 3d printer needs to do
or rather what a 3d printer needs to do
or rather what a 3d printer needs to do fundamentally in the simplest possible
fundamentally in the simplest possible
fundamentally in the simplest possible terms it you need to be able to take a
terms it you need to be able to take a
terms it you need to be able to take a liquid precursor material like this
liquid precursor material like this
liquid precursor material like this yellowish liquid in this little tray and
yellowish liquid in this little tray and
yellowish liquid in this little tray and turn it into using your 3d printer some
turn it into using your 3d printer some
turn it into using your 3d printer some kind of a solid device with all kinds of
kind of a solid device with all kinds of
kind of a solid device with all kinds of structures in it so that’s really the
structures in it so that’s really the
structures in it so that’s really the purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not
purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not
purpose of the 3d printer and we’re not going to talk about exactly how that’s
going to talk about exactly how that’s
going to talk about exactly how that’s done instead what we want to focus on is
done instead what we want to focus on is
done instead what we want to focus on is what kind of structures we need that 3d
what kind of structures we need that 3d
what kind of structures we need that 3d printer to make in this solidified
printer to make in this solidified
printer to make in this solidified plastic part in the end and we’ll start
plastic part in the end and we’ll start
plastic part in the end and we’ll start with the simplest possible feature you
with the simplest possible feature you
with the simplest possible feature you can make and that is a fluid channel
can make and that is a fluid channel
can make and that is a fluid channel which is in essence the hallway in our
which is in essence the hallway in our
which is in essence the hallway in our building analogy and we want to be able
building analogy and we want to be able
building analogy and we want to be able to make these as small as possible
to make these as small as possible
to make these as small as possible so we can make our devices small
so we can make our devices small
so we can make our devices small so to get an idea of what 3d printers
so to get an idea of what 3d printers
so to get an idea of what 3d printers could do I created a simple design sent
could do I created a simple design sent
could do I created a simple design sent it off to a bunch of service bureaus and
it off to a bunch of service bureaus and
it off to a bunch of service bureaus and asked them to use the highest and most
asked them to use the highest and most
asked them to use the highest and most highest resolution best 3d printers and
highest resolution best 3d printers and
highest resolution best 3d printers and materials that they could do and then we
materials that they could do and then we
materials that they could do and then we would evaluate the result and what we
would evaluate the result and what we
would evaluate the result and what we got back with something like this this
got back with something like this this
got back with something like this this is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25
is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25
is a 500 by 500 micron channel ie 25 times bigger than a human hair and the
times bigger than a human hair and the
times bigger than a human hair and the results are pretty sad except the one on
results are pretty sad except the one on
results are pretty sad except the one on the right that actually looks pretty
the right that actually looks pretty
the right that actually looks pretty good but as you decrease the size the
good but as you decrease the size the
good but as you decrease the size the channel things just get progressively
channel things just get progressively
channel things just get progressively worse
worse
worse until it’s just not doable so the bottom
until it’s just not doable so the bottom
until it’s just not doable so the bottom line is that commercial 3d printers just
line is that commercial 3d printers just
line is that commercial 3d printers just cannot do the job required to make
cannot do the job required to make
cannot do the job required to make microfluidic devices and of course this
microfluidic devices and of course this
microfluidic devices and of course this is not very surprising because such
is not very surprising because such
is not very surprising because such printers were designed for other types
printers were designed for other types
printers were designed for other types of applications at which they’re very
of applications at which they’re very
of applications at which they’re very good it’s just not not this application
good it’s just not not this application
good it’s just not not this application so at this point I saw that our only
so at this point I saw that our only
so at this point I saw that our only option was to build our own 3d printer
option was to build our own 3d printer
option was to build our own 3d printer in other words create a new tool so that
in other words create a new tool so that
in other words create a new tool so that we would have new possibilities and
we would have new possibilities and
we would have new possibilities and after a lot of planning fundraising
after a lot of planning fundraising
after a lot of planning fundraising designing building struggling the usual
designing building struggling the usual
designing building struggling the usual sort of thing this is the 3d printer
sort of thing this is the 3d printer
sort of thing this is the 3d printer that we came up with and next to it is
that we came up with and next to it is
that we came up with and next to it is standing my graduate student Fogg Wong
standing my graduate student Fogg Wong
standing my graduate student Fogg Wong who was intimately involved in making
who was intimately involved in making
who was intimately involved in making the printer and he’s there to give a
the printer and he’s there to give a
the printer and he’s there to give a sense of scale and of course also to
sense of scale and of course also to
sense of scale and of course also to subtly give him some kudos because of
subtly give him some kudos because of
subtly give him some kudos because of the great job you did now to use this
the great job you did now to use this
the great job you did now to use this new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices
new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices
new tool to make lab-on-a-chip devices for healthcare and other applications we
for healthcare and other applications we
for healthcare and other applications we first need to be able to make
first need to be able to make
first need to be able to make fundamental building block structures
fundamental building block structures
fundamental building block structures from which all such microfluidic devices
from which all such microfluidic devices
from which all such microfluidic devices are made out of and we’re still in the
are made out of and we’re still in the
are made out of and we’re still in the early stages of doing this but what I’d
early stages of doing this but what I’d
early stages of doing this but what I’d like to do is show you some of what
like to do is show you some of what
like to do is show you some of what we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of
we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of
we’ve accomplished so you get a sense of where we’re at and we’ll start with
where we’re at and we’ll start with
where we’re at and we’ll start with small channels and so in this schematic
small channels and so in this schematic
small channels and so in this schematic drawing on the left is the size of a
drawing on the left is the size of a
drawing on the left is the size of a channel about the size of human hair and
channel about the size of human hair and
channel about the size of human hair and on the right is the size of a channel
on the right is the size of a channel
on the right is the size of a channel that we can now make with our 3d printer
that we can now make with our 3d printer
that we can now make with our 3d printer and here is a scanning electron
and here is a scanning electron
and here is a scanning electron microscope image of an actual 3d printed
microscope image of an actual 3d printed
microscope image of an actual 3d printed Channel
Channel
Channel and the beautiful thing here is this is
and the beautiful thing here is this is
and the beautiful thing here is this is now 25 times smaller than a human hair
now 25 times smaller than a human hair
now 25 times smaller than a human hair so the size is absolutely awesome it is
so the size is absolutely awesome it is
so the size is absolutely awesome it is just outstanding how small we can make
just outstanding how small we can make
just outstanding how small we can make these things now just like in a building
these things now just like in a building
these things now just like in a building you need doors to separate various rooms
you need doors to separate various rooms
you need doors to separate various rooms and hallways from each other in a
and hallways from each other in a
and hallways from each other in a microfluidic device you need the
microfluidic device you need the
microfluidic device you need the equivalent in order to be able to send
equivalent in order to be able to send
equivalent in order to be able to send fluids where you need them to go when
fluids where you need them to go when
fluids where you need them to go when you need them to go there and of course
you need them to go there and of course
you need them to go there and of course these structures we call it valves and
these structures we call it valves and
these structures we call it valves and we could talk about how they’re designed
we could talk about how they’re designed
we could talk about how they’re designed but in essence we have a cylindrical
but in essence we have a cylindrical
but in essence we have a cylindrical region that’s separated into two parts
region that’s separated into two parts
region that’s separated into two parts by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d
by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d
by a thin membrane it’s all just 3d printed as part of the same print and
printed as part of the same print and
printed as part of the same print and the lower part is for fluids the upper
the lower part is for fluids the upper
the lower part is for fluids the upper part we can pressurize such that we can
part we can pressurize such that we can
part we can pressurize such that we can bend that membrane and close off the two
bend that membrane and close off the two
bend that membrane and close off the two channels in the bottom part thereby
channels in the bottom part thereby
channels in the bottom part thereby closing the valve or we can release the
closing the valve or we can release the
closing the valve or we can release the pressure have that membrane spring back
pressure have that membrane spring back
pressure have that membrane spring back up and then the valve is open so in 2011
up and then the valve is open so in 2011
up and then the valve is open so in 2011 we first made the bowels of this type
we first made the bowels of this type
we first made the bowels of this type using a cleanroom process and the same
using a cleanroom process and the same
using a cleanroom process and the same kind of material we use now on our 3d
kind of material we use now on our 3d
kind of material we use now on our 3d printer and the smallest way we could
printer and the smallest way we could
printer and the smallest way we could get was about 700 microns which was okay
get was about 700 microns which was okay
get was about 700 microns which was okay but not very exciting in 2015 we got our
but not very exciting in 2015 we got our
but not very exciting in 2015 we got our first 3d printer the smallest valve we
first 3d printer the smallest valve we
first 3d printer the smallest valve we could make was 2 millimeters in diameter
could make was 2 millimeters in diameter
could make was 2 millimeters in diameter which is just absolutely huge I mean
which is just absolutely huge I mean
which is just absolutely huge I mean this is just way beyond where we want to
this is just way beyond where we want to
this is just way beyond where we want to be the next year we got another 3d
be the next year we got another 3d
be the next year we got another 3d printer and we were able to decrease the
printer and we were able to decrease the
printer and we were able to decrease the size down to a little over a millimeter
size down to a little over a millimeter
size down to a little over a millimeter but still this is big not terribly
but still this is big not terribly
but still this is big not terribly exciting and last year when we finished
exciting and last year when we finished
exciting and last year when we finished making our own 3d printer we could
making our own 3d printer we could
making our own 3d printer we could easily get 300 micron diameter valves
easily get 300 micron diameter valves
easily get 300 micron diameter valves and over the last month we’ve actually
and over the last month we’ve actually
and over the last month we’ve actually got this down to 150 microns so now it’s
got this down to 150 microns so now it’s
got this down to 150 microns so now it’s totally awesome in terms of how small we
totally awesome in terms of how small we
totally awesome in terms of how small we can make these things so for example
can make these things so for example
can make these things so for example here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron
here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron
here’s a 300 micron valve and 150 micron valve with red fluid in the fluid
valve with red fluid in the fluid
valve with red fluid in the fluid regions just so you kind of visualize it
regions just so you kind of visualize it
regions just so you kind of visualize it and this is what they look like when
and this is what they look like when
and this is what they look like when we’re closed when that membrane is as
we’re closed when that membrane is as
we’re closed when that membrane is as depressed and basically these things
depressed and basically these things
depressed and basically these things work awesome you know here’s 45 valves
work awesome you know here’s 45 valves
work awesome you know here’s 45 valves just arranged in a simple test array and
just arranged in a simple test array and
just arranged in a simple test array and we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi
we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi
we’ve gone up to a million actuation zyi on/off they still work just fine so
on/off they still work just fine so
on/off they still work just fine so they’re very rope
they’re very rope
they’re very rope so once we have boughs then it’s pretty
so once we have boughs then it’s pretty
so once we have boughs then it’s pretty straightforward to make pumps so here’s
straightforward to make pumps so here’s
straightforward to make pumps so here’s an example of a pump and it’s that
an example of a pump and it’s that
an example of a pump and it’s that little thing on the on the left it’s
little thing on the on the left it’s
little thing on the on the left it’s kind of bopping around and you can see
kind of bopping around and you can see
kind of bopping around and you can see the red fluid getting pushed through the
the red fluid getting pushed through the
the red fluid getting pushed through the serpentine channel there and all of this
serpentine channel there and all of this
serpentine channel there and all of this is 3d printed very tiny now once we have
is 3d printed very tiny now once we have
is 3d printed very tiny now once we have small channels valves pumps then we’re
small channels valves pumps then we’re
small channels valves pumps then we’re all set to be able to make other little
all set to be able to make other little
all set to be able to make other little or more sophisticated sub components
or more sophisticated sub components
or more sophisticated sub components that you need to be able to make
that you need to be able to make
that you need to be able to make microfluidic devices that have a lot of
microfluidic devices that have a lot of
microfluidic devices that have a lot of capability so for example when you’re
capability so for example when you’re
capability so for example when you’re monitoring say diabetes you need to
monitoring say diabetes you need to
monitoring say diabetes you need to measure blood sugar and often those
measure blood sugar and often those
measure blood sugar and often those measurement techniques you need to
measurement techniques you need to
measurement techniques you need to dilute the sample so we decide or rather
dilute the sample so we decide or rather
dilute the sample so we decide or rather we designed a system that would do an
we designed a system that would do an
we designed a system that would do an arbitrary dilution by you you can select
arbitrary dilution by you you can select
arbitrary dilution by you you can select what you want also does all the mixing
what you want also does all the mixing
what you want also does all the mixing and the pumping and everything else so
and the pumping and everything else so
and the pumping and everything else so we won’t go through the block diagram
we won’t go through the block diagram
we won’t go through the block diagram but I want to show you the 3d CAD
but I want to show you the 3d CAD
but I want to show you the 3d CAD drawing and when you look at that it
drawing and when you look at that it
drawing and when you look at that it seems to be quite complicated and of
seems to be quite complicated and of
seems to be quite complicated and of course that’s because it is it’s a
course that’s because it is it’s a
course that’s because it is it’s a pretty complicated little thing and the
pretty complicated little thing and the
pretty complicated little thing and the interesting thing is you could never
interesting thing is you could never
interesting thing is you could never make this in a cleanroom but with 3d
make this in a cleanroom but with 3d
make this in a cleanroom but with 3d printing complexity is basically free in
printing complexity is basically free in
printing complexity is basically free in other words it doesn’t take any longer
other words it doesn’t take any longer
other words it doesn’t take any longer to make something complex as it does
to make something complex as it does
to make something complex as it does something simple and so here we have
something simple and so here we have
something simple and so here we have this thing actually fabricated in
this thing actually fabricated in
this thing actually fabricated in operation we’ve got a little pump
operation we’ve got a little pump
operation we’ve got a little pump pumping some red fluids a little pump
pumping some red fluids a little pump
pumping some red fluids a little pump pumping some clear fluid it goes into
pumping some clear fluid it goes into
pumping some clear fluid it goes into that big circular region which is the
that big circular region which is the
that big circular region which is the mixer and it’s kind of like after your
mixer and it’s kind of like after your
mixer and it’s kind of like after your workout when you shake up the protein
workout when you shake up the protein
workout when you shake up the protein drink that’s basically what the mixer
drink that’s basically what the mixer
drink that’s basically what the mixer does except on a very tiny scale and
does except on a very tiny scale and
does except on a very tiny scale and then it pumps it out the the outlet
then it pumps it out the the outlet
then it pumps it out the the outlet Channel and the beautiful thing about
Channel and the beautiful thing about
Channel and the beautiful thing about this is the size of it is essentially
this is the size of it is essentially
this is the size of it is essentially the size of a sesame seed and so what
the size of a sesame seed and so what
the size of a sesame seed and so what we’ve done just for fun is shown that
we’ve done just for fun is shown that
we’ve done just for fun is shown that you can make a lot of these things at
you can make a lot of these things at
you can make a lot of these things at once so here’s 60 of these little mixer
once so here’s 60 of these little mixer
once so here’s 60 of these little mixer pumps printed in one print run which
pumps printed in one print run which
pumps printed in one print run which takes only 30 minutes and the
takes only 30 minutes and the
takes only 30 minutes and the interesting thing about this is it
interesting thing about this is it
interesting thing about this is it suggests that you could actually use
suggests that you could actually use
suggests that you could actually use this type of 3d printing for
this type of 3d printing for
this type of 3d printing for manufacturing in addition to prototyping
manufacturing in addition to prototyping
manufacturing in addition to prototyping but that’s actually a story for another
but that’s actually a story for another
but that’s actually a story for another time
time
time so in summary what we’ve done is taken
so in summary what we’ve done is taken
so in summary what we’ve done is taken this clean room slow method of making
this clean room slow method of making
this clean room slow method of making microfluidic devices and turned it into
microfluidic devices and turned it into
microfluidic devices and turned it into a little small in comparison a 3d
a little small in comparison a 3d
a little small in comparison a 3d printer that eliminates the huge cost of
printer that eliminates the huge cost of
printer that eliminates the huge cost of the cleanroom and allows you to make
the cleanroom and allows you to make
the cleanroom and allows you to make prints very quickly we routinely two
prints very quickly we routinely two
prints very quickly we routinely two things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20
things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20
things and you know maybe 30 minutes 20 minutes 40 minutes depending upon the
minutes 40 minutes depending upon the
minutes 40 minutes depending upon the device and and we can make very complex
device and and we can make very complex
device and and we can make very complex devices because it doesn’t take any
devices because it doesn’t take any
devices because it doesn’t take any longer to do that so ultimately what
longer to do that so ultimately what
longer to do that so ultimately what we’re doing is summed up in this quote
we’re doing is summed up in this quote
we’re doing is summed up in this quote by Steve Jobs what’s important is that
by Steve Jobs what’s important is that
by Steve Jobs what’s important is that you have faith in people that they’re
you have faith in people that they’re
you have faith in people that they’re basically good and smart and if you give
basically good and smart and if you give
basically good and smart and if you give them tools they’ll do wonderful things
them tools they’ll do wonderful things
them tools they’ll do wonderful things with them we are really excited to see
with them we are really excited to see
with them we are really excited to see the wonderful things that people will do
the wonderful things that people will do
the wonderful things that people will do with the new tool that we’ve created
with the new tool that we’ve created
with the new tool that we’ve created thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
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