May1612

Client/Company/Organization:Minnetronix

Mani Mina

SeniorDesignProjectProposalForm

Pritchard/Mani
Submitter(name):John

Mina

Email:jpritchard@minnetronix.com

mmina@iastate.edu

ProjectContact:John

Email:jpritchard@minnetronix.com

mmina@iastate.edu

Pritchard/Mani

Mina

ProjectTitle:
Remotely Connected Electric Field Generator for Particle Separation in a Fluid

ProjectAbstract(includeALLprojectgoal(s),designconstraints,andtechnicalapproachesandtools):
The primary objective of this project is to deliver a 1MHz, 60 V peak-peak amplifier circuit in a small form
factor, that can be controlled via the web. The amplitude of the amplifier signal must be variable between
0 - 60 Vp-p (ideally), and the circuit should operate in the frequency range of 10kHz - 1MHz. The
amplitude and frequency of the signal should be modifiable by the web application. The secondary

objective is to show that the circuit can generate an electric field strong enough to separate dielectric
particles in a fluid.

Exciting new research has shown that small dielectric particles can be separated from a fluid through
dielectrophoresis (DEP). DEP can be defined as the separation of particles that have different effective
permittivities. By applying a non-uniform electric field, some particles feel an attractive force while others
feel a repulsive one or nothing at all, depending on their permittivity. The goal of this project is to create a
circuit that can generate a non-uniform electric field strong enough to separate small particles (on the
micron scale) in a fluid, and have the level of separation be controlled via a web application. There are
many biomedical applications that can utilize this phenomenon, especially in lab-on-a-chip products.

Students who choose this project will explore biomedical applications, circuit simulation, web-based
design, embedded systems, PCB design and fabrication, and high speed test and measurement.

ExpectedDeliverables(includeexpectedschedule,cannotbeopenended,mustlistatleastonedeliverable):
Semester 1: Deliver draft proposal, parts list/total cost, and working prototype - Does not require final form-factor
final
manual
Semester
2: Deliver

system
with in small form-factor

with user

SpecializedResourcesProvidedbyClient(beasspecificasyoucan):
Equipment and materials for experimentation as needed and discussed

AnticipatedCost:<$1,000

FinancialResourcesProvidedbyClient(ifany):$1,000

NOTE:GeneralResourcesProvidedbyISU/ECpE:MSDNAAsoftware,andaccesstoresourcesinECpEteaching
andresearchlabs,e.g.,electronics,embeddedsystems,etc.

Enter#StudentsPreferred/Required:
SpecialSkillsRequiredofStudents(bespecific):

ElectricalEngineering
Circuit design and simulation
3

Embedded systems (C/C++)

2 ComputerEngineering
SoftwareEngineering
Web development
Other(specify):

Completereversesideofform

SeniorDesignProjectProposalForm

AnticipatedClientInteraction(estimate):
1meetingperweek
phone,internet,live
1meetingpermonth
phone,internet,live
2ormoremeetingspermonth

phone,internet,live
1meetingpersemester

phone,internet,live

MeetingABETCriteria
Pleaseratethefollowingstatementsastheyrelatetoyourproposedproject:
0Notatall
1ALittle
2 Somewhat
3 ALot

Onthisproject,studentswillneedtoapplyknowledgeofmathematics,
0
science,andengineering

Thisprojectgivesstudentsanopportunitytodesignasystem,component,
orprocesstomeetdesiredneedswithinrealisticconstraintssuchas
0
economic,environmental,social,political,ethical,healthandsafety,
manufacturability,andsustainability

Thisprojectinvolvesstudentsfromavarietyofprograms,i.e.,SE,EE,and
0
CprE

Thisprojectrequiresstudentstoidentify,formulate,andsolve
0
engineeringproblems

Thisprojectgivesstudentsanopportunitytousethetechniques,skills,
0
andmodernengineeringtoolsnecessaryforengineeringpractice

ProjectApprovalforusebyECpESeniorDesignCommittee
Approved
NotApproved
FacultyAdvisorAssigned:

ProjectNumberAssigned:May1612

Mani Mina

SubmitformelectronicallytoDr.Sumit Chaudhary, Senior Design Coordinator (sumitc@iastate.edu)

4 Completely
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