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Generation of Dynamical Environmental Conditions using a High-Throughput Microfluidic Device
Published on: April 17, 2021
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Using design strategies from microfluidic device patents to support idea generation
Jin Woo Lee1, Shanna R Daly2, Aileen Y Huang-Saad3
11Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2479 G.G. Brown, 2350 Hayward Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA.
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics
|July 3, 2018
Summary
This study identifies 36 microfluidic design strategies from US patents to aid innovation. Exposure to these strategies enhances the diversity and creativity of new microfluidic device concepts.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Microfluidics is crucial for research in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology.
- Existing microfluidic textbooks lack guidance on design concept generation.
- Engineers in related fields face challenges in generating novel design ideas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate successful idea generation in microfluidic device design.
- To identify and document distinct design strategies used in microfluidics.
- To assess the impact of design strategies on concept generation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 235 successful US patents containing the keyword "microfluidic" over a two-year period.
- Identification and documentation of 36 distinct microfluidic design strategies.
- A concept generation study involving microfluidic design practitioners.
Main Results:
- 36 distinct microfluidic design strategies were identified.
- Practitioners exposed to these strategies generated more diverse, creative, and unique design concepts.
- The study demonstrated the usefulness of documented strategies in concept generation.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive set of microfluidic design strategies can significantly improve innovation.
- Documented strategies serve as best practices for generating novel microfluidic device concepts.
- Further exploration of these strategies can accelerate advancements in microfluidic design.
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