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Conference

2015

Illinois Wesleyan University

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Physics

Microfluidic Generator Of Sub-10-Micron Hydrosomes, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor Apr 2015

Microfluidic Generator Of Sub-10-Micron Hydrosomes, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Known as the fundamental “lab on a chip” technology, microfluidics is a thriving young research area that first took off in the 1990s. It is commonly used for reducing the amount of material required for biochemical analysis, such DNA sequencing. Its narrow tunnels can annihilate turbulence even in high-speed fluid flow, facilitating controlled, systematic processing. Also, by leveraging lithographic techniques developed for the semiconductor industry, enormous capability can be integrated into a single microfluidic chip. We have thus far utilized templates designed and fabricated by previous students in our lab, for fabrication of a series of microfluidic chips, made of …


Assembly, Alignment, And Maintenance Of An Automated Laser Cutter, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor Apr 2015

Assembly, Alignment, And Maintenance Of An Automated Laser Cutter, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

We have assembled a kit for an automated laser cutter system, intended to play an important role in a wide variety of student-led design projects on our campus. We began by electrically soldering the wiring for a powerful (60 Watt), pulsed infrared (10.6µm wavelength) CO2 laser beam, which can thermally induce shock waves that locally ablate a wide range of (non-reflective) materials. The laser tube itself generates significant heat when operating, so we also assembled the required water-cooling system. Given the high powers involved, careful alignment this invisible laser was required, to ensure that the beam is safely contained …


A New Laboratory For Mm-/Sub-Mm-Wave Characterization Of Cosmic Dust Analogs, Lunjun Liu, Thushara Perera, Faculty Advisor Apr 2015

A New Laboratory For Mm-/Sub-Mm-Wave Characterization Of Cosmic Dust Analogs, Lunjun Liu, Thushara Perera, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

At visible wavelengths, cosmic dust obscures many interesting astronomical environments such as stellar nurseries and new planetary systems. Studying how light interacts with cosmic dust would help reveal the nature of the objects and environments that are obscured by dust. In order to study the optical properties of cosmic dust analogs in the lab, we constructed a custom apparatus, which consists of a vacuum chamber, a cooling mechanism to vary the temperature of dusts in an astronomically interesting range (7-50 Kelvin), and a long-wavelength spectrometer. Since completing the construction of the custom apparatus, we are currently assembling and testing the …


Demonstration Of Ion Trap Principles, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor Apr 2015

Demonstration Of Ion Trap Principles, Zhenghao Ding, Lunjun Liu, Gabriel C. Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Particle trapping is a state-of-the-art technology, which already a powerful tool for scientists working with micro- and nano-components. Much interest now revolves around length scales where quantum mechanical effects become pronounced. Quantum mechanics forms our only framework for understanding many problems in solid-state physics (e.g., magnetism), and is playing an ever more important role in applied chemistry, biochemistry and many other areas. Trapping technologies provide a test bed for systematic exploration of fundamental paradigms, offering enhancements to our understanding of key mechanisms and, perhaps, opportunities for quantum information technology. We have assembled a Newtonian Lab demonstration trap, demonstrating …