Summer Research Experience in Mechanical Engineering Field

1. I/UCRC CBSS New Proposal Presentation – April 2012 Update on FY2007 programs NSF REU in Integrated Nanomanufacturing – an Introduction to Prof Helen Fawcett’s Laboratory and the Evaluation of automated incubation of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Ramon E. Sanchez Cruz University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez Helen Fawcett Mechanical Engineering

2. Brief overview of presentation Introducing myself Background – high school to college Previous research experience This summer’s research laboratory Expectations for summer research accomplishments Positive and negative experiences so far NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Presentation Overview

3. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Who am I? • I studied in Juan Antonio Corretjer’s High school in Ciales, PR. • I am Studying Mechanical Engineering in the University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus • My biggest goal would be to study biomechanical engineering and work toward the enhancement of the human body through technology. • I decided to do research because I’ve always felt passionate about creating and improving the world and by doing research I feel like I can do that.

4. Why Mechanical Engineering? Influencing factors: - My father who is a Mechanical Engineer. Why ME? I choose Mechanical Engineering because of the idea of creating new things and improving the world we live in. Because of my passion for math's, physics and understanding how everything around me works and why does it work. Because It is the broadest of the engineering fields so I would have more employment opportunities. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Influences

5. Previous Research and Work Experience VEGF protein detection Biosensor. In the research the main goal is to built a biosensor that detect the VEGF protein in the blood and measures its size. By measuring the size of the VEGF protein, it could be link to certain sickness. Coop Student in Amgen Manufacturing Limited, Puerto Rico. - I worked in the EHSS department in the Safety area. I was working with the maintenance engineers in the maintenance of all equipment (Boilers, Chillers, Cooling towers, etc) and processes. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Research Experience

6. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research This Summer’s Research Experience • I am working in the Laboratory for Enhanced Nano-Biosensors, located at the 7th floor of the Photonics Center. • The research is about an On Chip Nanofluidic Pump for Automated Incubation and Detection of an Ebola Model. • The reason why I wanted to do a research internship is because I want to go to graduate school and this research experience could give me an overview of that. • I am expecting that at the end of the ten weeks I could get a better idea of grad school at BU. • I’ve always been interested in graduate school and I am planning on getting a PhD. After doing my PhD I would like to work in the industry.

7. Summer Research Goals NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research Goals • The scientific goal of the research project is to compare an automated cartridge with a syringe pump cartridge. • Important Background: - Bio-sensing, fluid mechanics, microfluidics. Experimental process: • Establishing flow rates vs Pump Frequency curves for water and Serum. • Using IRIS for the optical analysis of the experiments. • Compare Data

8. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research Goals Summer Research Goals • An ADEPT Machine was used to control the micro valves on the device. The ADEPT machine is a programmable microfluidic controller that is able to operate several pneumatic valves. To program the machine an algorithm was made using excel, saved in a micro SD and then uploaded to the machine. • Three cartridges were used to measure the flow rate using water. For each cartridge, five different switching times were used between sequence.

9. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research Goals Summer Research Goals • The active cartridges flow rate were tested with serum and plotted against the pump frequency. Also, the theoretical flow rate was calculated and plotted against the pump frequency. • The active cartridge flow rate experiment data shows a linear relationship between the flow rate and the pump frequency.

10. Summer Research Goals • The syringe pump cartridge was tested with a buffer solution containing nanoparticles and viruses. • To perform this experiment the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor (IRIS) was used for the optical analysis of the devices chips.

11. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research Goals Problems - Bubbles in the window • When using serum, it created too many bubbles in the chips window which makes it impossible to analyze the data. • To solve this problem, the following method was used: - Use a New device. - Coat the device with a Microarray Stabilizer. - Insert 40uL of water in the inlet. - Use the vacuum to pass 20 uL of water through the channels quickly. - Pump 10uL using the ADEPT Machine in order to get rid of the bubbles in the valves. - Use the vacuum to pass 5uL quickly so it takes any remaining bubbles off the channels. - With the remaining 5uL, load the serum and start pumping.

12. NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 Summer Research Goals Summer Research Goals- Next Steps • To run the experiments with serum and virus while measuring the number of Nano-particles and viruses in the solution as a function of time. • Run experiments with serum in active and syringe pump cartridges. • Compare results. • Finish the paper in order to publish it.

13. Positives and Negatives NSF REU INM Introductory Day for RET Participants - July 5, 2016 After 4 weeks, what are the highlights (positives) and the lowlights • Highlights: • We’ve been able to do real progress in the research. • Excellent Resources • Excellent Mentorship. • Everyone is willing to help. • Lowlights: • Overwhelmed at the beginning.