creator. writer. bread lover. and everything in between.

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3D-Printing Microfluidics for Space

 

ProtoFluidics

3D-printing microfluidics for bio-testing in outerspace.

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ProtoFluidics was created to address the gap between researchers who can 3D-print devices for 1/5 of the cost as standard methods but lack the 3D-modeling knowledge to do so. We programmed in a library of the most popular types of microfluidic parts for designing 3D-printed microfluidics. The graphical interface was built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and integrated with OpenSCAD for visualizing 3D designs.

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Our tests showed that 3D-printed microfluidics had 90% efficacy as traditionally-made ones. However, the benefits of 3D-printing them were cost-effectiveness and convenience for use in outer space, where supply load space was scarce and researchers had to adapt their biomedical tools for different experiments.

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Our team consisted of Adam Zachar, Jamie Carlson, and me. We won 1st Place at the 2017 National Space Society Manufacturing Competition, granting us a microfluidic print with our software on the International Space Station!

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