# Microfluidics projects overview #

low-cost and open source microfluidic chip for DNA synthesis and probably DNA sequencing, thermocycling, cell culture, transgenics/electroporation, bubble logic, etc.

## Strategy ##

probably 2-layer PDMS with pressure valves

## Equipment ##

* mini laser cutter (1 micron beam width, approx. 1 micron step size)
* dust fan for cutting fumes
* syringe pumps
* spin coater

## Testing ##

Microfluidics are often tested by flowing dyes and fluorescent beads.

* anionic (- charge)
* cationic (+ charge)

### Food Coloring ###

Name | Characteristics | Image of molecule
--- | --- | ---
[Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartrazine)                 | anionic. hydrophilic azo dye, maximum absorbance in an aqueous solution at 425 nm. | ![Yellow 5](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Tartrazine.svg/620px-Tartrazine.svg.png "Yellow 5")
[Indigo carmine (FD&C Blue 2)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_carmine)           | anionic. pH indicator, Indolesulfonic acid, Indigo carmine in a 0.2% aqueous solution is blue at pH 11.4 and yellow at 13.0. Indigo carmine is also a redox indicator, turning yellow upon reduction. | ![Blue 2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Indigo_carmine.svg/620px-Indigo_carmine.svg.png "Blue 2")
[Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Green_FCF)          | mixed cat/anionic. It is used as a quantitative stain for histones at alkaline pH after acid extraction of DNA. It is also used as a protein stain in electrophoresis. Its absorption maximum is at 625 nm. | ![Green 3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Fast_Green_FCF.svg/250px-Fast_Green_FCF.svg.png "Green 3")
[Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrosine)                  | anionic. It is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. Its maximum absorbance is at 530 nm in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation. | ![Red 3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Erythrosine.svg/230px-Erythrosine.svg.png "Red 3")
[Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Blue_FCF)   | mixed, looks mostly anionic.  It is soluble in water, and the solution has a maximum absorption at about 628 nanometers. | ![Blue 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Brilliant_Blue_FCF_structure.tif/lossy-page1-640px-Brilliant_Blue_FCF_structure.tif.jpg "Blue 1")
[Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allura_Red_AC)             | anionic.  in solution, its maximum absorbance lies at about 504 nm. | ![Red 40](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Allura_Red_AC_Structural_Formula_V1.png/220px-Allura_Red_AC_Structural_Formula_V1.png "Red 40")
[Sunset Yellow (FD&C Yellow 6)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Yellow_FCF)       | anionic.  pH dependent azo dye with a maximum absorption at about 480 nm at pH 1 and 443 nm at pH 13 with a shoulder at 500 nm. | ![Yellow 6](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/FD%26C_Yellow_6.svg/551px-FD%26C_Yellow_6.svg.png "Yellow 6")

### Common Biotech Dyes ###

Name | Characteristics | Image of molecule
--- | --- | ---
[Crystal Violet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_violet) | cationic? When dissolved in water, the dye has a blue-violet colour with an absorbance maximum at 590 nm and an extinction coefficient of 87,000 M−1 cm−1. The colour of the dye depends on the acidity of the solution. At a pH of 1.0, the dye is green with absorption maxima at 420 nm and 620 nm, while in a strongly acidic solution (pH of −1), the dye is yellow with an absorption maximum at 420 nm. | ![Crystal Violet](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Methyl_Violet_10B.png "Crystal Violet")