Microfluidics is researched for the development of DNA chips, lab-on-a-chip operations and micro-thermal technologies. Leading the research on Microfluidics is Vivek Kamat and Natalia Bourguignon. Kamat and Bourguignon’s current research is an example of the type of work performed at the MEMS group, here at FIU.
- Microfluidic devices for the assessment and screening of PAHs removal capacity by bacterial biofilms – Bourguignon
- The research proposes the development and application of “Lab on a Chip” type microfluidics devices for use in the area of oil bioremediation. The general aim is to obtain innovative prototypes applicable to wastewater and industrial effluents, taking into account that hydrocarbon contamination in watercourses is a critical worldwide environmental problem.
- Understanding the effects of flow on the growth of bacterial bio film in a microfluidic platform -Kamat
- This work is carried out in joining collaboration with Dr. Natalia Bourguignon and Professor Kalai Mathee
(Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine). The work involves studying bacterial biofilm in continuous flow
conditions using the microfluidic platform to understand the influence of flow conditions on anchorage,
growth, and proliferation of bacteria using computational tools (COMSOL, CFD analysis, etc).
Further, the work involves developing sensing strategies for detecting the growth of biofilm and
developing control strategies by employing nanomaterials.
