Miniature portable systems have been replacing complex machinery in chemistry laboratories faster than imagined since the emergence of microfluidic devices.  The application of microfluidic devices in cell culture is a relatively new concept and is marked with a number of complications.  Among these is designing a chamber with dimensions that lend themselves to fluid flow, but have a surface area to volume ratio that makes cell growth possible.  In order to find a suitable device, we have employed computational simulations.  COMSOL Multiphysics gives us the tools to evaluate our designs before they are fabricated.  The program allows us to calculate velocity of a fluid once the steady-state has been reached.  From this, along with our knowledge of the cells, we can calculate the shear stress experienced by each cell.  In this fashion, it is possible for us to construct the optimal microfluidic chamber for seeding cells.

COMSOL simulation-guided design of microfluidic devices for cell-related applications

245th National Meeting (2013)

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