March 2010 Archives

BMF's Fabrication and Laboratory Methods Section is Here!

By Brandon Miller on March 30, 2010 12:11 PM | No Comments

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Biomicrofluidics is pleased to announce that it now offers embedded multimedia for articles. This technology was developed specifically for our articles in the newest section of the Journal: "Fabrication and Laboratory Methods."

It is hoped that this section will provide a strong reference point for researchers interested in developing lab-on-a-chip or related technologies. It's our hope that students, post-docs, and researchers of all stripes can learn something new from these innovative and informative tutorials.

The first article is now freely available online:

Be sure to check out the full-text HTML version to be able to stream the videos right in your browser.

BMF and AIP Journals at the 2010 APS March Meeting

By Brandon Miller on March 23, 2010 4:22 PM | No Comments

Biomicrofluidics was represented at the 2010 APS March Meeting in Portland, Oregon from March 14-18.

There were several interesting sessions related to the journal. Here are a few highlights:

  • Alex Levine from UCLA talked about "Cell Quakes: Mechanics and Microrheology of Living Cells and Active Gels".
  • Dennis Wirtz, John Hopkins University gave his overview of "Intracellular Fluid Dynamics.".
  • Cindy Harnett from the University of Louisville presided over a session on Microfluidic Devices, where mechanical actuators—including propellers, paddles, and wheels—were discussed along with several other bio-related flow research.
  • Richard Fair, Duke University, talking about "Electrowetting Control of Droplets for Biomedical Applications on Chips".

The days were filled with lots of interactions between students, APS and AIP editors, and researchers from all sorts of fields.

What sorts of interesting stories or experiences did you have at APS this year? Anything "microfluidic?" "fabri-tastic?"

Solving the World's Problems, One Teapot at a Time

By Brandon Miller on March 3, 2010 4:27 PM | No Comments

Finally, someone has figured out how to stop spilling tea all over the place! These fluid flow geniuses in France have published a treatise on the "teapot effect" in Physical Review Letters. The so-called "teapot effect" is "the annoying tendency for a liquid to trickle down the outside of a receptacle after pouring."

I, for one, am relieved and immensely impressed.

Apparently there are two big issues at hand; the first is flow separation. When a fluid starts moving more slowly it begins to separate from itself, making it more likely that it will spill onto your pantaloons. The second factor is the hydrophobicity of the teapot—or whatever vessel you are serving your liquid of choice in. Teapot makers have long tried to build the perfect spout by altering the physical shape and size, but what they should have been doing is using a highly hydrophobic material for construction.

I think this would be best represented by a teapot made of lotus leaves—in this way an homage is made to Chinese culture, who also happen to love tea and grow the lotus plant.

What's that you say? Making a teapot out of a leaf is absurd? Ok, ok, you win... we'll make the teapot out of butter... butter's hydrophobic, right?

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