The development of microfluidic devices has been greatly developed for the past two decades due to the possibilities of incorporating it to electrochemical system and the great potential in biomedical and biological engineering (1,2). The most promising biological applications of microfluidic are included but not limited to cell sorting, cell fusion, or vesicle fusion. By enerating micro-scale droplets which enable more efficient transport method for cells or well-defined particles.

Results from this past semester have shown that nanoparticle is a great platform for cancer treatment. The group has been able to increase the drug loading of cancer medicine in nanoparticle to 5% which is the highest drug loading record in literature thus far. I this UROP, I will be working toward generating optimal condition for drug loading in nanoparticles by using controlled fluid jets as well as bulk synthesis which relies on turbulence and vortex of rotating fluid to mix and encapsulate drug with polymers. With this, the goal is, by the end of the summer, the drug loading percentage will be around 10% which is the optimal amount of drug loading for cancer treatment.

My responsibility will initially be manufacturing part of the devices using Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is used for making nanoparticles using fluid jets. Moreover, I will be responsible for synthesize nanoparticles using bulk synthesis as well as doing the data analysis that characterizes the size of the particle and percentage of drug loading. With over a year and a half experience in this field, I firmly believe that I will continue to contribute to the progress of the research.

With my current interest in fluid mechanics and its biomedical application, this UROP will provide me a unique opportunity to not only explore the topics more but also help to solidify my decision of a research-oriented career.