Mechanics & experimental Dynamics LabIMES @ D-MAVT
For a brief summary of our research please watch our video on the Meet your lab website.
Best enjoyed in full screen mode, a luke warm beer and volume on
Student projects
The following slides contain open student projects of our lab, what they are about and how to contact the responsible Ph.D. student.
The main focus of our lab is microscale acoustofluidics, meaning manipulating particles in fluids.
We work on a range of topics covering tissue engineering, cancer cell detection (both more experimental, but can be coupled with computational work) but also computation projects such as describing the underlying phenomena of microscale acoustofluidics.
In general we do not have require prerequisits for students, just curiosity.
We would love to welcome you in our lab this coming semester!
Tissue engineering – 1
Tissue engineering – 2
Bachelor/Semester/Master Project
Contribution to a Python Framework for Acoustofluidics
A particle suspended in a time-harmonic acoustic field experiences a time-averaged force which is called the acoustic radiation force [1]. A vast number of theories exist describing this force for different fluids and particles, and different limiting cases. We want to implement a wide range of these models in an open- source Python framework that can be used by all researches in the field to evaluate and compare different results. The project involves studying theoretical models e.g. from Prof. Alexander A. Doinikov [2] and implementing them with Python. This will require basic knowledge in object-oriented programming with Python and version control tools such as Git. These skills are of advantage but are not a necessity and can also be acquired during the course of the project. References:
[1] Yosioka, K. and Kawasima, Y., 1955. Acoustic radiation pressure on a compressible sphere. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 5(3), pp.167-173. [2] Doinikov, A. A. (1994). Acoustic radiation pressure on a compressible sphere in a viscous fluid. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 267, 1-22.
Contact: Jonas Fankhauser, CLA H 23.1 E-mail: fankhauser@imes.mavt.ethz.ch
Bachelor/Semester/Master Project
Contribution to a Python Framework for Acoustofluidics
A particle suspended in a time-harmonic acoustic field experiences a time-averaged force which is called the acoustic radiation force [1]. A vast number of theories exist describing this force for different fluids and particles, and different limiting cases.
We want to implement a wide range of these models in an open-source Python framework that can be used by all researches in the field to evaluate and compare different results.
The project involves studying theoretical models e.g. from Prof. Alexander A. Doinikov [2] and implementing them with Python. This will require basic knowledge in object-oriented programming with Python and version control tools such as Git. These skills are of advantage but are not a necessity and can also be acquired during the course of the project.
References:
[1] Yosioka, K. and Kawasima, Y., 1955. Acoustic radiation pressure on a compressible sphere. Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 5(3), pp.167-173.
[2] Doinikov, A. A. (1994). Acoustic radiation pressure on a compressible sphere in a viscous fluid. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 267, 1-22.
Contact:
E-mail: goering@imes.mavt.ethz.ch
Cancer diagnostics
CTC isolation from fluids using TFBAW acoustofluidic devices
Metastatic spreading is the primary cause of tumor-related death [1]. In case of bone cancer, particularly
devastating to patients and patient families since it primarily affects children and adolescents, this
dissemination of cancerous cells to distant sites occurs through the bloodstream and accordingly
metastasizing cells (also known as 'circulating tumor cells' or CTCs) can be found in peripheral blood of
patients [2]. A project in the labs of Prof. J. Dual and Prof. J. Snedeker aims to further develop a new
thin film microscale acoustofluidic system for the label-free isolation of CTCs and for their subsequent
biophysical analysis. This is in contrast to other work, which requires the pre-labeling of specific
biomarkers [3] and the use of bulk acoustic wave devices [4].
This thesis is comprised of testing thin film bulk acoustic wave, and as a reference and training method,
bulk acoustic wave devices. The TFBAW devices are the result of the work of Dr. P. Reichert [5]. Most
of the devices still need to be electrically and mechanically contacted which then afterwards allows for a
full characterization. These devices will then be tested for their efficiency of isolation tumor cells from
various fluids from the human body (foremost human blood samples and plural fluid) and to find optimal
device parameters for a new generation of devices. If possible, the thesis will also include the downstream
handling of the isolated CTCs, which may include genomics from the fluid samples or solid tumors
extracted from patients.
The project elements are, depending on the progress, therefore:
• A comprehensive literature research • Training in methods of fluid sample handling • Production and completion of TFBAW devices
Fig. 1. Pre (left) and post (right) lysis of red blood cells to decrease the amount of background noise. Here during a deformability cytometry measurement.
• Training on different systems for characterization, such as admittance and interferometer measurements and optical evaluation of experiments
• Improving the experimental setup • Creating a pipeline for the delivery of samples • Downstream processing of isolated CTCs • Midterm and final presentation • Written report
An approximate timeline is as following: • Start: tbd • Midterm presentation: at half way point through thesis • Final presentation: one week before the hand-in of the report • Hand-in of the report: depending on if it is a bachelor, semester or master thesis
References: [1] Gupta, G.P. and Massagué, J., 2006. Cancer metastasis: building a framework. Cell, 127(4), pp.679- 695. [2] Himelstein, B. P. & Dormans, J. P. Malignant bone tumors of childhood. Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 43, 967–84 (1996). [3] Liu, H., Ao, Z., Cai, B., Shu, X., Chen, K., Rao, L., Luo, C., Wang, F.B., Liu, W., Bondesson, M. and Guo, S., 2018. Size-amplified acoustofluidic separation of circulating tumor cells with removable microbeads. Nano Futures, 2(2), p.025004. [4] Augustsson, P., Magnusson, C., Nordin, M., Lilja, H. & Laurell, T. Microfluidic, Label-Free Enrichment of Prostate Cancer Cells in Blood Based on Acoustophoresis. Anal. Chem. 84, 7954–7962 (2012). [5] Reichert, P., Deshmukh, D., Lebovitz, L. & Dual, J. Thin film piezoelectrics for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis. Lab Chip 18, 3655–3667 (2018).
Contact: Cooper Harshbarger, CLA H23.2, ETH Zentrum OR Balgrist Campus email: hcooper@ethz.ch Group: Prof. Dr. J. Snedeker (Institute for Biomechanics)
Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual (Institute for Mechanical Systems IMES)
Bachelor / Semester / Master Thesis
acoustofluidic devices
Metastatic spreading is the primary cause of tumor-related death [1]. In case of bone cancer, particularly devastating to patients and patient families since it primarily affects children and adolescents, this dissemination of cancerous cells to distant sites occurs through the bloodstream and accordingly metastasizing cells (also known as 'circulating tumor cells' or CTCs) can be found in peripheral blood of patients [2]. A project in the labs of Prof. J. Dual and Prof. J. Snedeker aims to further develop a new thin film microscale acoustofluidic system for the label-free isolation of CTCs and for their subsequent biophysical analysis. This is in contrast to other work, which requires the pre-labeling of specific biomarkers [3] and the use of bulk acoustic wave devices [4].
This thesis is comprised of testing thin film bulk acoustic wave, and as a reference and training method, bulk acoustic wave devices. The TFBAW devices are the result of the work of Dr. P. Reichert [5]. Most of the devices still need to be electrically and mechanically contacted which then afterwards allows for a full characterization. These devices will then be tested for their efficiency of isolation tumor cells from various fluids from the human body (foremost human blood samples and plural fluid) and to find optimal device parameters for a new generation of devices. If possible, the thesis will also include the downstream handling of the isolated CTCs, which may include genomics from the fluid samples or solid tumors extracted from patients.
Fig. 1. Pre (left) and post (right) lysis of red blood cells to decrease the amount of background noise. Here during a deformability cytometry measurement.
The project elements are, depending on the progress, therefore:
· A comprehensive literature research
· Production and completion of TFBAW devices
· Training on different systems for characterization, such as admittance and interferometer measurements and optical evaluation of experiments
· Improving the experimental setup
· Downstream processing of isolated CTCs
· Midterm and final presentation
· Start: tbd
· Final presentation: one week before the hand-in of the report
· Hand-in of the report: depending on if it is a bachelor, semester or master thesis
References:
[1] Gupta, G.P. and Massagué, J., 2006. Cancer metastasis: building a framework. Cell, 127(4), pp.679-695.
[2] Himelstein, B. P. & Dormans, J. P. Malignant bone tumors of childhood. Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 43, 967–84 (1996).
[3] Liu, H., Ao, Z., Cai, B., Shu, X., Chen, K., Rao, L., Luo, C., Wang, F.B., Liu, W., Bondesson, M. and Guo, S., 2018. Size-amplified acoustofluidic separation of circulating tumor cells with removable microbeads. Nano Futures, 2(2), p.025004.
[4] Augustsson, P., Magnusson, C., Nordin, M., Lilja, H. & Laurell, T. Microfluidic, Label-Free Enrichment of Prostate Cancer Cells in Blood Based on Acoustophoresis. Anal. Chem. 84, 7954–7962 (2012).
[5] Reichert, P., Deshmukh, D., Lebovitz, L. & Dual, J. Thin film piezoelectrics for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis. Lab Chip 18, 3655–3667 (2018).
Contact: Cooper Harshbarger, CLA H23.2, ETH Zentrum OR Balgrist Campus
Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual (Institute for Mechanical Systems IMES)
· Training on different systems for characterization, such as admittance and interferometer measurements and optical evaluation of experiments
· Improving the experimental setup
· Downstream processing of isolated CTCs
· Midterm and final presentation
· Start: tbd
· Final presentation: one week before the hand-in of the report
· Hand-in of the report: depending on if it is a bachelor, semester or master thesis
References:
[1] Gupta, G.P. and Massagué, J., 2006. Cancer metastasis: building a framework. Cell, 127(4), pp.679-695.
[2] Himelstein, B. P. & Dormans, J. P. Malignant bone tumors of childhood. Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 43, 967–84 (1996).
[3] Liu, H., Ao, Z., Cai, B., Shu, X., Chen, K., Rao, L., Luo, C., Wang, F.B., Liu, W., Bondesson, M. and Guo, S., 2018. Size-amplified acoustofluidic separation of circulating tumor cells with removable microbeads. Nano Futures, 2(2), p.025004.
[4] Augustsson, P., Magnusson, C., Nordin, M., Lilja, H. & Laurell, T. Microfluidic, Label-Free Enrichment of Prostate Cancer Cells in Blood Based on Acoustophoresis. Anal. Chem. 84, 7954–7962 (2012).
[5] Reichert, P., Deshmukh, D., Lebovitz, L. & Dual, J. Thin film piezoelectrics for bulk acoustic wave (BAW) acoustophoresis. Lab Chip 18, 3655–3667 (2018).
Contact: Cooper Harshbarger, CLA H23.2, ETH Zentrum OR Balgrist Campus
Group: Prof. Dr. J. Dual (Institute for Mechanical Systems IMES)
Cell sorting
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
18.11.2020Organisational unit (edit via “Insert” > “Header & Footer”) 9
Mechanics & experimental Dynamics Lab
Cancer diagnostics
Cell sorting
Foliennummer 9