Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidics enable exquisite control over fluid motion and manipulation of suspended micro/nanoscale objects. Associated enhancements of transport processes underlie their importance in numerous emerging application areas.
In the physical and life sciences, these technologies are essential to realizing the so-called Lab on a Chip, providing high-efficiency unit operations (mixing, reaction, separation, dispensing and detection) while using minimal sample volumes. In energy applications, controlled fluid manipulation can promote creation of desirable reaction products or accommodate high heat flux for effective removal of heat from micro- and power electronics.
The Scalable Integrated MicroSystems (SIMS) lab at Washington University in St. Louis seeks to address significant challenges in energy systems (eSIMS) and the biological sciences (bSIMS) through development of novel microtechnologies, tools and devices.