Academic Year 2023/2024 Semester 2

Course Dr. Charles Wang Wei

Coordinator
Course Code CB4001
Course Title Microfluidics & Its Applications (Elective)
Pre-requisites Nil
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours 33 hours lecture, 6 hours tutorial
Proposal Date 5 Oct 2021

Course Aims
This course aims to provide students the fundamentals of microfluidic and Lab-On-
Chip technology, including the basic fluid mechanics theory, microfabrication for
microfluidics, microfluidic flow control and system development. Function of
microfluidics components, such as valves, pumps and mixers will be explained in
details. Applications of microfluidics and Lab-On-Chip will be highlighted by
introducing the microfluidic components for life sciences, chemistry, point-of-care
diagnostics, Organ-on-Chip and so on. Examples of emerging commercial
microfluidic products (i.e. diagnostics cartridge, DNA amplification platforms) will be
introduced during the course. Detailed case studies about microfluidic product
development will be given on the development for disease diagnosis, prognosis,
precision therapy, environment monitoring and so on. Through assignment, students
will have the chance to research a particular type of microfluidic technology and its
utility for specific applications;

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

By the end of this course, you (as a student) would be able to:

1. Understand microfluidics technology and lab-on-a-chip systems

2. Master basic fluid mechanics at small scales
3. Know basic multi-physics for microfluidic applications
4. Apply standard fabrication technologies for microfluidics
5. Know advanced fabrication technologies for microfluidics
6. Master fundamentals of microfabrication techniques and explain the concept of
chip design
7. Apply microfluidic components for life sciences and chemistry
8. Describe microfluidic applications with examples for diagnostics/therapy/
synthesis
9. Describe fabrication of polymer microfluidic chips
10. Know microfluidic technology in point-of-care test (POCT) diagnosis (including
landscape in Singapore)
11. Explain basic microfluidic product development
12. Presentation of Group Study/Report
13. Presentation of Group Study/Report

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Course Content

This course covers basic microfluidic and Lab-On-Chip knowledge, including the fluid
mechanics theory, microfabrication for microfluidics, microfluidic flow control and
system development. Students will be equipped with the relevant knowledge on a
wide range of application areas including environmental sensing, medical diagnostics,
drug discovery, drug delivery, microscale chemical production, combinatorial
synthesis and assays, artificial organs, and microscale energy systems.

Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)

Component Course Related Weighting Team Assessment

LO Tested Programme LO /Individual rubrics
or Graduate
Attributes
1. Continuous 1,2,3,4,5 EAB SLOs 20% Individual Refer to
assessment 1 (Quiz)
a, b, d, f, j appendix 1
2. Continuous 1,2,3,4,5, EAB SLOs 30% Individual Refer to
assessment 2 (Individual
case study with report 6,7,8,9 a, b, c, d, f, j, appendix 2
submission)
3. Group Assignment 1,2,3,4,5, EAB SLOs 50% Team Refer to
(Report & presentation)
6,7,8,9,1 a, b, c, d, f, i, appendix 3
0,11,12 j, l
Total 100%

Mapping of Course ILOs to EAB Graduate Attributes

Course Intended EAB’s 12 Graduate Attributes*
Cat
Learning Outcomes (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
Elect ● ◐ ◐ š š š ◐ š
Introduction of microfluidics technology and lab-on-a-chip
systems a, f, j

Explain fluid mechanics at small scales a, b, d

Elaborate multi-physics for microfluidic applications
a, b, d
Illustrate standard fabrication technologies for microfluidics
a, b, d
Illustrate advanced fabrication technologies for microfluidics a, b, d
Apply various microfluidic components for life sciences and
a, b, c, j
chemistry – part 1
Apply various microfluidic components for life sciences and
a, b, c, j
chemistry – part 2
Demonstrate microfluidic applications with examples –
a, d, i
Diagnostics/therapy/ synthesis

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 Illustrate fabrication of polymer microfluidic chips with case
study a, b, j

Apply microfluidic technology in point-of-care test (POCT)

diagnosis (including landscape in Singapore) a, b, j

Microfluidic product development with case study

a, b, c, i

Legend: ● Fully consistent (contributes to more than 75% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
◐ Partially consistent (contributes to about 50% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
š Weakly consistent (contributes to about 25% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
Blank Not related to Student Learning Outcomes

Formative feedback
Examination results;
Marker’s report on overall examination performance;
Quiz answers will be discussed in class

Learning and Teaching approach

Approach How does this approach support students in achieving the learning
outcomes?

Lecture Demonstrate how to carry out a procedure such as working through a

problem, use incomplete handouts which enabling students participating in
class and practicing to resolve real cases.

Tutorial Presentation of group study/report followed by discussion on selected

topics

Reading and References

1. Fundamental of Microfabrication (Marc Madou, CRC Press, 2nd edition);
2. Fundamentals and Applications of Microfluidics (Nam-Trung Nguyen and Steve
Wereley, Artech House)
3. Dongqing Li, Encyclopedia of Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Springer, 2008.

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

General: Students are expected to complete all online activities and take all scheduled
assignments/tests by due dates. Students are expected to take responsibility to follow
up with course notes, assignments and course related announcements. Students are
expected to participate in all tutorial/discussions/activities.

Continuous assessments: Students are required to attend all continuous

assessments.

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Absenteeism: Continuous assessments make up a significant portion of students’
course grade. Absence from continuous assessments without officially approved
leave will result in no marks and affect students’ overall course grade.

Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of
your work as a student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and
to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values shared by the whole university community.
Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding

and applying the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not
knowing what is involved in maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic
dishonesty. You need to actively equip yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of
academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and cheating.
If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the
academic integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need
any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

Course Instructors

Instructor Office Location Phone Email

Charles Wang Wei NA 8518 3085 charles.wang@ntu.edu.s
g

Planned Weekly Schedule

Topic Readings/
Week Course LO
Activities
Introduction of microfluidics technology
1 1 Face to face lecture
and lab-on-a-chip systems
2 Explain fluid mechanics at small scales 2 Face to face lecture
Elaborate multi-physics for microfluidic
3 3 Face to face lecture
applications
Illustrate standard fabrication technologies
4 3 Face to face lecture
for microfluidics
Illustrate advanced fabrication technologies
5 5 Online lecture
for microfluidics
Master fundamentals of microfabrication
Face to face lecture +
6 techniques and explain the concept of chip 6
Quiz
design
Apply various microfluidic components for
7 7 Face to face lecture
life sciences and chemistry – part 1

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 Apply various microfluidic components for
8 8 Face to face lecture
life sciences and chemistry – part 2
Demonstrate microfluidic applications with
9 9 Face to face lecture
examples – Diagnostics/therapy/ synthesis
10 Illustrate fabrication of polymer
10 Face to face lecture
microfluidic chips with case study
11 Apply microfluidic technology in point-of-
care test (POCT) diagnosis (including 11 Face to face lecture
landscape in Singapore)
12 Microfluidic product development with
12 Tutorial 1
case study – part 1
13 Microfluidic product development with
13 Tutorial 2
case study – part 2

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Appendix 1: Assessment Criteria

Criteria Unsatisfactory: Borderline: 40% Satisfactory: Very good: 70% to Exemplary: >90
<40% to 49% 50% to 69% 89% %
Knowledge • Lacks • Partial • Good • Good and • Very good
Understanding understandin understanding understanding comprehensive and
of principles of g of the of the of the understanding comprehensiv
microfluidic principles of principles of principles of of the principles e
technology microfluidic microfluidic microfluidic of microfluidic understanding
technology. technology. technology. technology. of the
principles of
• Unable to • Can apply the • Can apply the • Can apply the microfluidic
apply the principles of principles of principles of technology.
principles of microfluidic microfluidic microfluidic
microfluidic technology to technology to technology to • Can apply the
technology to solve simple solve medium solve principles of
solve engineering level engineering microfluidic
engineering problems. engineering problems. technology to
problems. problems solve
engineering
problems.
Evaluation • Calculations • Calculations • Calculations • Calculations • Calculations
Able to solve are attempted are attempted attempted are attempted are attempted are
numerical but are both but represent mostly all successful all successful
problems in unsuccessful only a portion successful and and sufficiently and fully
basic and are not of the sufficiently comprehensive comprehensiv
microfluidics comprehensiv calculations comprehensiv to solve the e to solve the
e. required with e to solve the problem. problem;
some problem. calculations
comprehensive are also
to solve the presented
problem. elegantly

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Appendix 2: Assessment Criteria for Individual Case Study with Report Submission

Individual project (e.g. Evaluation of a commercialized microfluidic based Point-of-Care

Product)

Assessment of report

Unsatisfactory: Borderline: 40% Satisfactory: 50% Very good: 70% Exemplary: >90
Criteria <40% to 49% to 69% to 89% %

• Lack of • Objectives are • There is clear • Objectives are • There is a clear

evidence of clearly statement of well addressed logical
research/stud communicate topic objective and well linked sequence and
y and and there is and there is to concepts/ information
objectives are evidence of evidence of knowledge flow to the
not clear. research research /study from lectures. topic objective.
/study with with Appropriate Overall good
• Lacks acceptable appropriate amount of grasp of the
understanding amount of amount of material is subject matter
of the material material prepared well is
Knowledge & principles of prepared. prepared. relevant to the demonstrated.
Comprehension microfluidic overall
technology. • Partial • Good message. • Very good and
Understanding of • Unable to understanding understanding comprehensive
principles of of the of the • Good and understanding
identify the principles of principles of comprehensive of the
microfluidic principles of microfluidic microfluidic understanding principles of
technology microfluidic technology. technology. of the microfluidic
technology to principles of technology.
solve • Can identify • Can identify microfluidic
engineering the principles the principles technology. • Can identify
problems. of of microfluidic the principles
microfluidic technology to • Can identify of microfluidic
technology to solve medium the principles technology to
solve simple level of microfluidic solve
engineering engineering technology to engineering
problems. problems solve problems.
engineering
problems.
• Unable to • Can read and • Can read and • Can read and • Can read and
understand partially understand understand understand
microfluidic understand microfluidic microfluidic microfluidic
applications microfluidic applications applications applications
and apply the applications and apply the and apply the and apply the
knowledge to and apply the knowledge to knowledge to knowledge to
Application design and knowledge to design and design and design and
optimize design and optimize optimize optimize
Applying microfluidic optimize simple medium level microfluidic
microfluidic systems simple microfluidic microfluidic systems
principles to microfluidic systems systems
solve/analyze • Examples systems • Examples
chosen to • Examples • Examples chosen to
problems
support the • Examples chosen to chosen to support the
argument are chosen to support the support the argument are
irrelevant and support the argument are argument are very
not persuasive argument are relevant and relevant and appropriate for
at all. partially partially persuasive. a convincing
relevant and persuasive. argument
persuasive.

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Analysis • Unable to • Can make • Can make • Can make • Can make
make reasonable reasonable reasonable correct
Able to analyze reasonable assumptions assumptions assumptions assumptions,
problems, make assumptions and judgment, and judgment, and can choose
and judgment but the choice can choose judgment, appropriate
reasonable
according to of methods appropriate can choose methods to
assumptions, and the nature of are not methods and appropriate solve the
suggest/choose the problems, appropriate, predict the methods and problem and
appropriate uncertain uncertain outcome predict the draw
methods. about about the mostly, but outcome, can conclusions.
drawing any accuracy of not draw Can identify
conclusions. the outcome. necessarily reasonable potential
the best conclusions. problems and
choice. tailor the
process
accordingly.

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Appendix 3: Assessment Criteria for Group Assignment

Group assignment (e.g. Propose development of microfluidic device/system for certain

application)

Group assignment (Oral presentation + reporting slides)

Unsatisfactory: Borderline: 40% Satisfactory: 50% Very good: 70% Exemplary: >90
Criteria <40% to 49% to 69% to 89% %

• Lack of • Objectives are • There is clear • Objectives are • There is a clear

evidence of clearly statement of well addressed logical
research/stud communicate topic and and linked to sequence and
y and and there is objective and concepts/ information
objectives are evidence of there is knowledge flow to the
not clear. research evidence of from lectures. topic objective.
/study with research /study Appropriate Overall good
• Lacks acceptable with amount of grasp of the
understanding amount of appropriate material is subject matter
of the material amount of prepared well is
Knowledge & principles of prepared. material relevant to the demonstrated.
Comprehension microfluidic prepared. overall
technology. • Partial message. • Very good and
Understanding of understanding • Good comprehensive
• Unable to of the understanding • Good and understanding
principles of identify the
microfluidic principles of of the comprehensive of the
principles of microfluidic principles of understanding principles of
technology microfluidic technology. microfluidic of the microfluidic
technology to technology. principles of technology.
solve • Can identify microfluidic
engineering the principles • Can identify technology. • Can identify
problems. of the principles the principles
microfluidic of microfluidic • Can identify of microfluidic
technology to technology to the principles technology to
solve simple solve medium of microfluidic solve
engineering level technology to engineering
problems. engineering solve problems.
problems engineering
problems.
• Unable to • Can read and • Can read and • Can read and • Can read and
understand partially understand understand understand
microfluidic understand microfluidic microfluidic microfluidic
applications microfluidic applications applications applications
and apply the applications and apply the and apply the and apply the
knowledge to and apply the knowledge to knowledge to knowledge to
Application design and knowledge to design and design and design and
optimize design and optimize optimize optimize
Applying microfluidic optimize simple medium level microfluidic
microfluidic systems simple microfluidic microfluidic systems
principles to microfluidic systems systems
solve/analyze • Examples systems • Examples
chosen to • Examples • Examples chosen to
problems
support the • Examples chosen to chosen to support the
argument are chosen to support the support the argument are
irrelevant and support the argument are argument are very
not persuasive argument are relevant and relevant and appropriate for
at all partially partially persuasive a convincing
relevant and persuasive argument
persuasive

10
 Analysis • Unable to • Can make • Can make • Can make • Can make
make reasonable reasonable reasonable correct
Able to analyze reasonable assumptions assumptions assumptions assumptions,
problems, make assumptions and judgment, and judgment, and can choose
and judgment but the choice can choose judgment, appropriate
reasonable
according to of methods appropriate can choose methods to
assumptions, and the nature of are not methods and appropriate solve the
suggest/choose the problems, appropriate, predict the methods and problem and
appropriate uncertain uncertain outcome predict the draw
methods. about about the mostly, but outcome, can conclusions.
drawing any accuracy of not draw Can identify
conclusions. the outcome. necessarily reasonable potential
the best conclusions. problems and
choice. tailor the
process
accordingly.
Presentation • Topics have • Topics have • Relevant • Includes • Clear and
and Q&A not been been partially topics have several design logical
fully addressed and been alternatives. description of
Demonstrate a addressed discussed addressed. These have the
and with solution Few been analysed development
technically
discussed. well development and discussed. process,
strong Many errors proposed. A few minor including
understanding of alternatives
or Some errors are discussed. errors or several
topic and ambiguities or ambiguities ambiguities solutions.
Errors or
flawless report in are present. are present. ambiguities are present. These have
presentation are present. The final been correctly
The final development analysed,
development solution is discussed and
solution is not adequate. presented.
necessarily Good
adequate. presentation
of the final
solution

Assessment Criteria for Peer Evaluation:

If you are working as a group with other students for the homework submission, then, each student
in the group is required to rate the contribution of other group members. All evaluations are held
in confidence so no student will know how other group members rate his/her contribution. You
are to evaluate other group members fairly and objectively, bearing in mind the implications for
the other members’ grades (explained below). It is absolutely essential for you to submit your
peer evaluation form to get marks. To factor peer evaluations into the marks for your homework
assignment, the following computation will be used:

• If, on average, a student receives a rating of 9 or more, that student receives 100% of the
group’s grade.
• If, on average, a student receives a rating of less than 9, that student receives a specific
percentage of the group’s grade to be determined by the formulae below:

An average rating of 8 to < 9 = 90% + (average rating obtained - 8)*10

An average rating of 7 to < 8 = 80% + (average rating obtained - 7)*10
An average rating of 6 to < 7 = 70% + (average rating obtained - 6)*10
An average rating of 5 to < 6 = 60% + (average rating obtained - 5)*10

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An average rating of 4 to < 5 = 50% + (average rating obtained - 4)*10
An average rating of 3 to < 4 = 40% + (average rating obtained - 3)*10
An average rating of < 3 will be investigated by your instructor and the student may receive 0%
of group grades.

Example 1:
Assume the overall group assignment is 50 marks, and out of 50 your group got 50 marks. A
student with an average rating of 9.10 gets 100% of 50 marks, i.e., 50 marks. An average rating
of 6.29 means that a student gets 72.9% (or 70%+(6.29-6)*10) of 50 marks, i.e., 36.45 marks.
Example 2:
Assume the overall group assignment is 50 marks, and out of 50 your group got 30 marks. A
student with an average rating of 9.10 gets 100% of 30 marks, i.e., 30 marks. An average rating
of 6.29 means that a student gets 72.9% (or 70%+(6.29-6)*10) of 30 marks, i.e., 21.87 marks.
Your instructor reserves the right to review the student ratings for questionable circumstances,
which include, but are not limited to, acts of discrimination or malice.

Criteria Yourself Member 1 Member 2 Member 3 Member 4 Member 5

Contributed the
fair
share of work
(Score: 0 to 10)
TOTAL
Comments, if any

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Appendix 4: The EAB (Engineering Accreditation Board) Accreditation SLOs (Student
Learning Outcomes)

a) Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering

fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation to the solution of complex engineering
problems
b) Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyse complex engineering
problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural
sciences, and engineering sciences.
c) Design/development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and
design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate
consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental
considerations.
d) Investigation: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based
knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and
interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
e) Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and
modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex engineering
activities with an understanding of the limitations
f) The engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to
assess societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities
relevant to the professional engineering practice.
g) Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering
solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and
need for the sustainable development.
h) Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of the engineering practice.
i) Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader
in diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings.
j) Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the
engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and
write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and
receive clear instructions.
k) Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
engineering and management principles and economic decision-making, and apply these to
one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in
multidisciplinary environments.
l) Life-long Learning: Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage
in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change

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