Internships

Reese Knopp ’24

Major

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Project Title

Microfluidics for Sustainability: Liquid Entrapment and Diffusiophoresis in Action

I studied the mechanisms of liquid entrapment in a porous micro-channel for amine scrubbing carbon capture, a process that can be applied to various environmental, industrial, and research applications. Innovations in this area include using liquid-infused surfaces to decrease the footprint of carbon capture towers, though concerns persist regarding the stability of the liquid within the micro-textured surface. I used an analogous fluorinated oil/water system to evaluate the ways viscosity, velocity, and geometry affect the retention of liquid within pores in a quasi-one-dimensional system. As part of the research, I fabricated polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic devices, used a microscopic imaging system to visualize the process, and used the programs MATLAB and ImageJ to extract and visualize data. This internship provided substantial experience on collaborating in a lab space, performing analysis, and managing experiments. I had the opportunity to utilize auxiliary engineering skills such as CAD modeling and 3D printing, and to interact with professionals through workshops. I also gained exposure to other advanced scientific tools and procedures by assisting with associated experiments related to sustainable, nontoxic anti-scaling coatings. This experience has transformed my understanding of the pursuit of cutting-edge knowledge and I am excited to explore this further in future independent projects.