Microfluidic lab
Microfluidics |
The microfluidics research laboratory at Monash University Malaysia focuses on utilising high frequency acoustic waves in various microfluidic applications, such as micro-cooling, greywater treatment, seed germination, surface disinfection and many others. |
Water treatment via MHz-order acoustic waves The project focuses on employing MHz-order acoustic waves to (1) increase the efficiency of biological greywater treatment systems for the removal of organic compounds, and (2) remove of nanoparticles suspended in water. For the former, the MHz-order acoustic waves that are transmitted into the greywater can homogenise and reduce the size of bacteria clusters suspended in the greywater, promoting greater bacteria digestion. For the latter, by integrating a graphene film with a piezoelectric substrate, with the actuation by the MHz-order acoustic waves, water molecules can rapidly transport within the film and exclude of particles of dimension greater than the interstitial spacing of the layers that constitute the graphene film. |
In-situ generation of plasma activated aerosols via MHz acoustic wave nebulizer The project focuses on developing a miniature plasma system to rapidly produce plasma activated water, which subsequently aerosolised via a MHz acoustic wave nebulizer. This low-cost portable and energy-efficient hybrid system enables an in-situ production of plasma activated aerosols that can be sprayed direction on the contaminated surfaces to induce oxidative stresses in bacterial species for bacterial inactivation. The system is suitable for decontamination in home environments as it only requires the supply of tap water and battery power for operation. |
 | Ir Dr Tan Ming Kwang Dr. Tan heads the microfluidics research laboratory in the Mechanical engineering discipline at Monash University Malaysia. His work focuses on utilising high frequency acoustic waves in various microfluidic applications, such as micro-cooling, greywater treatment, seed germination, surface disinfection and etc.
|
Current GRS | |
| Mr Wong Kiing Seng Kiing Seng obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from Curtin University Sarawak campus (Mechanical Engineering) in 2016 and Master of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from University of Nottingham Malaysia in 2017. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University Malaysia. His work focuses on the enhancement in germination via MHz acoustic waves. |
Mr Chan Jing Shuet Jing Shuet obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from Universiti Malaya in 2018. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University Malaysia. His work focuses on the investigation on greywater treatment via MHz acoustic waves. | |
 | Mr. Nicholas Chew Shern Loong Nicholas Chew obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from University Malaysia Sabah in 2018. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University Malaysia. His work focuses on investigation on rapid generation of plasma activated aerosols |
 | Ms Mary Low Mary obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from National Cheng Kung University in 2013 and 2016, respectively. She is currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University Malaysia. Her work focuses on the enhancement in heat transfer via acoustic waves. |
 | Mr. Chieh Chieng Woo Chieh Chieng obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and Master of Engineering Science (Research) from Monash University Malaysia in 2018 and 2021, respectively. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Monash University Malaysia. His work focuses on investigation on non-destructive testing via acoustic field. |
Alumni | |
 | Dr Ang Kar Man Dr Ang Kar Man obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Multimedia University in 2012. Subsequently, he obtained his PhD from Monash University Malaysia in 2017. His PhD research focused on enhancing MHz-orders acoustic wave nebulizers via the application of two-dimensional materials. |
 | Dr Ng Boon Thiam Dr Ng Boon Thiam obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Multimedia University in 2012. Subsequently, he obtained his PhD from Monash University Malaysia in 2017. His PhD research focused on the suppression of Leidenfrost effect via high frequency vibrations. |
| Dr Edmund Hua Hang Lim Dr Edmund Lim obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Universiti Tenaga National in 2012 and a Master of Science (Material Science) from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2015. Subsequently, he obtained his PhD from Monash University Malaysia in 2021. His PhD research focused on the enhancement of heat transfer via the application of two-dimensional materials. |
Recent Publications
- J.S. Chan, Y.M. Hung, M.-Z.P. Ismadi, L.Y. Yeo and M.K. Tan, Nanofiltration using graphene-epoxy filter media actuated by surface acoustic waves, Physical Review Applied, 15, 034078, 2021.
- K.K. Lay, K.S. Wong, F.S. Lim, Y.M. Hung and M.K. Tan, Graphene-mediated electrospray cooling for discrete heat sources in microslits, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 164, 106882, 2021.
- K.S. Wong, W.T.H. Lim, C.W. Ooi, L.Y. Yeo and M.K. Tan, In situ generation of plasma-activated aerosols via surface acoustic wave nebulization for portable spray-based surface bacterial inactivation, Lab on a Chip, 20, 1856-1868, 2020.
- J. Y. H. Goh, Y. M. Hung and M. K. Tan, Extraordinarily enhanced evaporation of water droplets on graphene-nanostructured coated surfaces, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 163, 120396, 2020.
- A.R. Rezk, H. Ahmed, T.L. Brain, J.O. Castro, M.K. Tan, J. Langley, N. Cox, J. Mondal, W. Li, M. Ashokkumar and L.Y. Yeo, Free radical generation from high-frequency electromechanical dissociation of pure water, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 11, 4655-4661, 2020.
- J.S. Gan, H. Yu, M.K. Tan, A.K. Soh, H.A. Wu and Y.M. Hung, Performance enhancement of graphene-coated micro heat pipes for light-emitting diode cooling, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 154, 119687, 2020.
- J.S. Chan, P.E. Poh, M.-Z.P. Ismadi, L.Y. Yeo and M.K. Tan, Enhancing greywater treatment via MHz-Order surface acoustic waves, Water Research, 169, 115187, 2020.
- K.S. Wong, L. Lee, Y.M. Hung, L.Y. Yeo and M.K. Tan, Lamb to Rayleigh wave conversion on superstrates as a means to facilitate disposable acoustomicrofluidic applications, Analytical Chemistry, 91, 12358-12368, 2019.
- E. Lim, L. Lee, L.Y. Yeo, Y.M. Hung and M.K. Tan, Acoustically driven micromixing: Effect of transducer geometry, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 66, 1387-1394, 2019.
- B.T. Ng, Y.M. Hung and M.K. Tan, Vibration isolation via Leidenfrost droplets, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 29, 085003, 2019.
- K.S. Wong, L. Lee, L.Y. Yeo and M.K. Tan, Enhancing rate of water absorption in seeds via a miniature surface acoustic wave device, Royal Society Open Science, 6, 181560, 2019.
- K.K. Keong, J.S. Ong, K.Y. Yong, M.K. Tan and Y.M. Hung, Nucleate pool boiling enhancement by ultrafast water permeation in graphene-nanostructure, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 101, 26-34, 2019.
- M.K. Tan and L. Y. Yeo, Hybrid finite-difference/lattice Boltzmann simulations of microchannel and nanochannel acoustic streaming driven by surface acoustic waves, Physical Review Fluids, 3, 044202, 2018.
- K.K. Lay, K.M. Ang, Y.M. Hung and M.K. Tan, Efficient atomization of brine at atmospheric pressure, Journal of Aerosol Science, 122, 11-20, 2018.
- W.L. Tong, Y.M. Hung, H. Yu, M.K. Tan, B.T. Ng, B.T. Tan, H.A. Wu, and A.K. Soh, Ultrafast water permeation in graphene nanostructures anomalously enhances two-phase heat transfer, Advanced Materials Interfaces, 1800286, 2018.
- RMIT University
Masters and PhD positions are available. Interested candidates may send their CV to Dr Tan Ming Kwang (tan.ming.kwang@monash.edu)
No content