Three research thrusts of the BiNoM research group are electrokinetic micro-and nano-assembly, fabrication of personalized biotechnology platforms, and additive manufacturing of novel cellular structures.
Electrokinetic Micro- and Nano-assembly is the technology of guided assembly of micro- and nano-particulates into 3D structures on a surface of microelectrodes. Microelectrodes of the controlled 3D geometries have widespread application in areas ranging from biosensing and fuel cells to nano-electronics. Potentially, such guided assembly can be scaled to mass production of devices assembled from micro- and nano-components. Our research is supported by the National Science Foundation Award CMMI- 1661877 “Characterization and Modeling of Novel Dielectrophoretic Electropolymerization Micromanufacturing Process” to study the microassembly process that Prof. Kulinsky has invented. This technology combines the selective attraction of micro- or nano-parts using dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces and then entrapping them permanently onto microelectrodes with a micro-layer of conductive polymers. The physics of the process is complex since, besides dielectrophoresis, other forces, such as natural convection and electro-osmosis play a significant role. The recent publication in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces describes the details of the template-based guided electrokinetic assembly process:
Zhou, J. Chen, E. Kropp, and L. Kulinsky, “Guided Electrokinetic Assembly of Polystyrene Microbeads onto Photopatterned Carbon Electrode Arrays,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 121 [31], 35647 (2020)
Fabrication of Personalized Biotechnology Platforms and microfluidic research involves advanced fabrication (FDM and stereolithographic printing, laminated object manufacturing, lithographic techniques) of Lab-on-Chip devices for in-vitro diagnostics and in-vivo drug delivery. Several examples of our work include:
Bauer and L. Kulinsky, “Fabrication of a Lab-on-Chip Device Using Material Extrusion (3D Printing) and Demonstration via Malaria-Ab ELISA,” Micromachines, 9 [1], 27 (2018)
Lim, Y. Lee, and L. Kulinsky, “Fabrication of a Malaria-Ab ELISA Bioassay Platform with Utilization of Syringe-Based and 3D Printed Assay Automation,” Micromachines, 9 [10], 502 (2018)
Soroori, J. M. Rodriguez‑Delgado, H. Kido, G. Dieck‑Assad, M. Madou, and L. Kulinsky, “The use of polybutene for controlling the flow of liquids in centrifugal microfluidic systems,” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, First online: 07 January 2016 (2016)
H-K A. Tsai, E. A. Moschou, L. Kulinsky, S. Daunert, and M. Madou, “Integrating Biosensors and Drug Delivery: A Step Closer Toward Scalable Responsive Drug Delivery Systems,” Advanced Materials, 21, 656-660 (2009)
The field of Additive Manufacturing for Novel Cellular Structures allows developing the advanced cellular structures with favorable strength-to-weight ratio. Several projects exemplify new manufacturing approaches that we undertake: 1) we used 3D-printed molds for investment casting of lattices with sub-millimeter struts (the smallest struts of any cast metal lattices to date); 2) we have developed a technology that allows for the creation of identical regularly distributed non-connected porosities within a polymer, metal, or ceramic matrix (a so-called regular foam). Regular foams are theoretically superior to other cellular structures, but prior to our work researchers were unable to produce such regular foams (while inferior stochastic connected or non-interconnected foams and sponges could be manufactured, mostly via foaming agents). We were able to produce a regular foam in polystyrene with the Selective Laser Sintering process. We are intent on applying the regular foam fabrication technology to the metal powder bed additive manufacturing platforms.
N. Li, Y-C. Lin, B. Dolan, and L. Kulinsky, “Use of additive manufacturing in creating sub-millimeter micro-architectured structures via investment casting”, Proceedings of 11th International Conference on MicroManufacturing, Irvine, CA, March 29- 31 (2016)
B. Sun and L. Kulinsky, “Fabrication of regular polystyrene foam structures with selective laser sintering,” Materials Today Communications, 13, 346-353 (2017)
