Design and prototype a clockwork mechanism as linear actuator in magnetic digital microfluidics

Abstract

This report accounts the author experiences and technical findings for the design of clockwork escapement mechanism throughout the final year project. The purpose of the escapement mechanism is to provide power and control the operation of magnetic digital microfluidic. Magnetic digital microfluidic manipulates the magnetic particles in the droplet by controlling the permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic properties not only act as an actuator, they also assists in molecular binding which can be widely applied to bio-sensing equipment. The main objective is to design a clockwork escapement mechanism to drive the microfluidic by mechanical means without external source of power to perform point-of-care diagnostics. This allows medical diagnostics to be perform in poor environments where access to electricity and batteries are limited. This report primarily covers on the clockwork escapement mechanism.