01 / The question
Can a spreading colour reveal molecular transport?
This project aimed to estimate a dye’s diffusion coefficient in water using a microfluidic device. Device fabrication and the transport measurement were part of the same problem.
02 / The intuition
A mechanism worth testing.
A stable flow geometry gives diffusion a spatial signature. The geometry and observation conditions must be understood before fitting a transport parameter.
03 / The work
Inside the method.
Explore each part of the approach.
01Fabricate
Photolithography and PDMS moulding were used to create microchannels.
02Observe flow
A microfluidic experimental setup supported imaging of dye transport in laminar flow.
03Relate image to model
Concentration profiles and a diffusion model connected the observations to a transport estimate.
04 / The observations
What emerged.
The notes document the chain from fabrication to diffusion analysis. The original profiles and fitted coefficient are not included yet.
This account is based on recorded project notes. Original reports, figures and datasets are not embedded here.
05 / The limits
Where the evidence stops.
Flow rate, channel geometry, image calibration and model assumptions affect the estimate. A demonstration of spreading is not by itself a reliable diffusion measurement.
The academic foundations