Scope and Objectives

1. Develop technology and machines for manufacturing 2.5 dimensional multiscale ordered fractal structures, with robust control over otherwise spontaneous evolution, and further retaining them for use in applications. 2. Develop mathematical model, and further, experimentally characterize family of materials and process parameters leading to identification of range of structures and degree of control. 3. Develop software to correlate desired fractal geometry structure and machine parameters. 4. Fabricate prototype components in the machine for pumpless blood plasma, cell separation on chip, and capillary pumping. The components will be developed closely with industrial partner, to be integrated in their products.

Deliverables

Main deliverable of project is the machine and technology for fabrication of multiscale fractal structures. The machine would be capable of fabrications to the specifications mentioned earlier,spanning multiple scales. The software will be delivered along with the machine. The software would specify the Hele-Shaw cell preparations to be done for a desired geometry and for a specific application. As a part of the machine, technology for high precision large range travel using dual actuators would be developed. Along with the machine we will demonstrate two application deliverables: 1. Capillary based micropumps for point of care devices 2. Platforms for chemotaxis based on the proposed process. In addition several other applications as mentioned in Section 7 point 9 would be explored towards their commercial potential. Some important other outcomes of the process are highlighted below:1. The availability of process, machine, and knowhow, and the fact that natural systems are shaped in fractal geometry, would stimulate research into application this field (in domains mentioned and even other domains not mentioned) not only internationally but at the national level as well (since affordable methods of microfabrication at multiple scales would be easily available)2. The research may further create demand and market for the technology. 3. The proposed idea builds and would further stimulate research in the direction of development of machines and technologies effective at multiple scales of operation.

Videos

Scientific Output

Journal 1.Ul Islam, Tanveer, and Prasanna S. Gandhi. Viscous Fingering in Multiport HeleShaw Cell for Controlled Shaping of Fluids. Scientic reports (2017), Manuscript Number SREP1736647T. 2.Kumar P, Gandhi P.S, Islam Tanveer, Majumder M, Natureinspired, scalable, lithographyless fabrication of multiscale fluid channel networks Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express vol 3 045007, June 2017, https://doi.org/10.1088/20571976/aa763b Conference proceedings: 1.Islam T, Gandhi PS. A Partial Compliant Mechanism for Precise Remote Center Motion. 3rd International and 18th National Conference on Machines & Mechanisms, ID174, BARC Trombay, Dec2017. 2.Tanksale A, and Gandhi PS. Large deformation analysis and experiments with double parallelogram compliant mechanisms 3rd International and 18th National Conference on Machines & Mechanisms, ID86, BARC Trombay, Dec2017 3.Islam T., Gandhi P.S. Controlling interfacial flow instability via micro-engineered surfaces towards multi-scale channel fabrication Proceedings of ASME Int Conf. on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, Dubrovnic, Croatia, June 2018 Patents: 1.P.S. Gandhi, Prasoon Kumar, Mainak Mujumdar, Fractal connections to nanovascular matrices for efficient fluid flow and gas exchange Indian Patent Application No. 201721015210, filed on 28/04/2017 2.P.S. Gandhi, Islam T., and Rakshe M. A method and machine for fabrication of 3D array and fractal-like structures in Hele Shaw cell In preparation 3.P.S. Gandhi, Islam T., and Pachoria P. Process for fabrication of diverging and converging fractal like patterns In preparation Collaboration with Monash university is established for a novel application of Blood Brain Barrier on chip. Master's and PhD students work on various aspects of this project 1.Tanveer ul Islam Multiscale Structure Fabrication by Controlling Fluid Interface Instability 2.Tanksale Abhijit A. Large deformation analysis and experiments with compliant mechanisms 3.Makrand Ashok Rakshe Fabrication of Fractal Structure of volatile fluid by Using Saffman-Taylor Instability. 4.Uddipta Singha Development of a pump-less blood plasma separator for point-of-care applications. 5.Ami Mehta Development of 3D model of blood brain barrier (BBB) on a chip 6.Puskar Pachoriya Lithography less fabrication of fractal-like structures in Hele Shaw cell. 7.Tanumoy Kar Development of XY Nano-positioning stage with dual-actuated servos. 8.Aditya Zagade - Design and Development of Capillary micropump for controlled fluid flow.

Results and outcome till date

Development and fabrication of machine for large area micromilling (required for anisotropy creation in the process, status: being installed), small micromilling machine. Development and fabrication of machines (several ve rsions with different sizes and level of automation) to carry out the proposed process of fabrication of array and fractal geometry patterns. Part of the software for simulaton of process with multiple holes using Voronoi diagrams: This is to simulate patterns we would get for given set of anisotropies and plan the desired patterns. Development and process characterization for several materials that would give the desired patterns for several applications. (example sintered ceramic structures, silver ink structures, PLGA, PSS, and so on) Development and testing of devices for several applications: - Capillary pumps : Fractal channel device for point of care devices - Drug screening device - Device for bio-assay without need for plasma separation Fundamental studies and explorations - Innovative other way of using lands as anisotropies - Spontaneous fabrication in 3rd dimension

Societal benefit and impact anticipated

Fabricated multiscale structures are useful for several application in bio-medical field including commercially viable devices for organ-on-chip, plasma separation, drug screening, chemotaxis, capillary pumps, microfluidic mixers, and so on. Multiscale structure fabrication techniques establishes solid foundation for biomimicking natural structures. Branched structures are also useful in non-transparent solar electrodes, heat exchangers, mass transporters and vascular systems. Lithography less process reduces the cost of a final device made up using multiscale structure.

Next steps

We would like to collaborate with additional companies/ research labs partners who would like to use the technology and machines for their own applications.

Publications and reports

Journal
1.Ul Islam, Tanveer, and Prasanna S. Gandhi. Viscous Fingering in Multiport HeleShaw Cell for Controlled Shaping of Fluids. Scientic reports (2017), Manuscript Number SREP1736647T.
2.Kumar P, Gandhi P.S, Islam Tanveer, Majumder M, Natureinspired, scalable, lithographyless fabrication of multiscale fluid channel networks Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express vol 3 045007, June 2017, https://doi.org/10.1088/20571976/aa763b

Conference proceedings:
1.Islam T, Gandhi PS. A Partial Compliant Mechanism for Precise Remote Center Motion. 3rd International and 18th National Conference on Machines & Mechanisms, ID174, BARC Trombay, Dec2017.
2.Tanksale A, and Gandhi PS. Large deformation analysis and experiments with double parallelogram compliant mechanisms 3rd International and 18th National Conference on Machines & Mechanisms, ID86, BARC Trombay, Dec2017
3.Islam T., Gandhi P.S. Controlling interfacial flow instability via micro-engineered surfaces towards multi-scale channel fabrication Proceedings of ASME Int Conf. on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels, Dubrovnic, Croatia, June 2018

Patents

1.P.S. Gandhi, Prasoon Kumar, Mainak Mujumdar, Fractal connections to nanovascular matrices for efficient fluid flow and gas exchange Indian Patent Application No. 201721015210, filed on 28/04/2017
2.P.S. Gandhi, Islam T., and Rakshe M. A method and machine for fabrication of 3D array and fractal-like structures in Hele Shaw cell In preparation
3.P.S. Gandhi, Islam T., and Pachoria P. Process for fabrication of diverging and converging fractal like patterns In preparation

Scholars and Project Staff

Sana Nassar Syed M.Tech Completed 01.04.2017 to 27.06.2018
Shimpi Suraj Sanjay M.Tech Completed 18.12.2017 to 13.06.2018
Anil Mohan Gupta M. Tech. Student 18.12.2017 to 30.06.2019
Nannuri Sahitya M. Tech. Student 17.07.2017 to 13.03.2020
Tilekar Nihal Gokul M. Tech. Student 17.07.2017 to 13.03.2020
Debopamaa Debnath Ph D. Student (Resigned) 01.01.2018 to 16.07.2018
Ketaki Jitendra Bachal Ph D. Student 03.07.2017 to 31.03.2020
Uddipta Singha Ph D. Student 13.07.2017 to 13.03.2020
Sachin Dnyaneshwar Kanhurkar Ph D. Student 13.07.2017 to 13.03.2020
Anita Gurudev Jaiswar Project Assistant 02.11.2017 to 31.10.2018 (Tenure ended)
Maruti Kisan Jankar Senior Research Fellow 04.12.2017 to 03.12.2018
Ritu Goel Senior Research Fellow 20.11.2017 to 31.10.2018 (resigned)
Tanveer UL Islam PhD completed 26.07.2018 to 31.08.2018 (resigned)
Ratnesh P. Bafna Project Research Assistant 01.06.2017 to 29.05.2019
Sneha V. Parab Administrative Assistant 30.05.2017 to 28.01.2019
Sanket V. Jaiswal Project Research Associate 26.06.2018 to 19.09.2018 (Tenure End)
Rahul G. Shenoy Project Research Assistant 04.05.2017 to 31.07.2017 (Resigned)
Bandana Singha Research Associate 05.03.2018 to 19.11.2018
Priyanka A. Pawar Project Research Asso

Challenges faced

Manpower fluctuations People leaving in short time after getting trained