Team:UCL/Science/MicroF

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Goodbye Azodye UCL iGEM 2014

Microfluidics

Application of microfluidic techniques to test performance of DPUs in scalable synbio azo-remediation technology


The Role of Microfluidic Analysis to Evaluate the Scalable Synbio Azo-Remediation Solution
We have designed and tested a novel approach to azo-remediation, which allows sustainable and scalable bioprocessing. Our bioprocess integrates elements from upstream and downstream processing.

In order to develop and improve the functionality of our bioprocess, key steps must be tested to quantify process variables, and allow for preliminary mass transfer calculations and detection of azo dye degradation rates.

We have created microfluidic prototype devices to test the mixing in our reactors, and to test the performance of our novel immobilisation module, allowing for process optimisation and testing, without the burdens of expensive pilot scale testing.

The process testing timeline demonstrates that effective microfluidic testing can be used in replacement to conventional small-scale testing approaches. This is ideal for our project, especially when optimising whole unit operations.

Since our project involves designing a novel bioprocess using whole-cell biocatalysts, we constructed a microfluidic scale immobilisation module to investigate and evaluate our industrial scale module, the video is shown on the right.

Investigation into reactor design and reaction constraints can be performed with ease and with low reagent cost, as all variables are scaled down to a micro-level.

Most importantly, the scale-down can be carried out without losing any of the accuracy or quantification of data output; this is due the number of sensors and control mechanisms which can be integrated into the microfluidic system.



For our microfluidic bioreactor, we will be using a magnetic free floating bar as our mixing system. This is an effective method of mixing at a microfluidic scale, as demonstrated in the video on the right. The video on the left is of a microfluidic chemostat bioreactor designed by Davies et al. 2014 UCL, using a free-floating bar to mix two dyes.



Construction of Microfluidic Mixing Device to Analyse Optimal Mixing Methods & Conditions

On the left, is an image of a microfluidic device constructed and designed by Lewis Brayshaw; which was then tested using facilities in the UCL Microfluidics and Anatomy Labs.

The diagrams above illustrate

Contact Us

University College London
Gower Street - London
WC1E 6BT
Biochemical Engineering Department
Phone: +44 (0)20 7679 2000
Email: ucligem2014@gmail.com

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