PhD thesis focuses the field of textile application of modern functional materials, namely metallic shape memory alloys with unique thermomechanical properties deriving from martensitic transformation in solid state. Particularly, it deals with the development of a nonconventional thermomechanical treatment of thin NiTi filaments via Joule heating by electric current and related basic research involving thermomechanical testing and modeling of functional properties of the filaments, investigation of martensitic transformations and deformation processes in NiTi and investigation of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in metals heated by short pulses of controlled electric power. The method was developed and called FTMT-EC. In contrast to conventional heat treatment of metallic filaments in environmental furnaces, this method allows for precise control of the raise of the filament temperature and filament stress during the fast heating (rate ~50 000 °C/s). As a consequence, it is possible to precisely control the progress of the fast recovery and recrystallization processes in heat treated filaments. In this way it is possible to prepare filaments with desired nanostructured microstructure and related functional properties. A prototype equipment for application of the method for heat treatment of continuous SMA filaments during respooling in textile processing was designed and built. Comparing to the conventional heat treatment of SMA filaments in tubular environmental furnaces, this approach is faster, saves energy and allows for preparation of filaments with special functional properties. International patent application was filed on the method. It is currently utilized in the research and development of smart textiles for medical applications.

The research work focuses on optimizing various parameters for controlling cells using negative dielectrophoresis and entrapping them in droplet microfluidics. This is achieved by developing a conductivity medium, combining CytoRecovery, BSA, and EDTA, to maintain a steady count of single cells with good viability over an extended period. The study involves the optimization of frequency and voltage applied to the electrodes to achieve the desired dielectrophoretic forces for long-term cell manipulation. The optimization is based on simulations performed using myDEP and COMSOL software. Additionally, the stability of the conductivity medium is tested during prolonged electric field applications. Considering the significance of working with cells, ensuring the temperature inside the channels remains within physiological limits is vital. Both COMSOL simulations and physical experiments using Rhodamine B dye are conducted to achieve this objective. Moreover, a well-designed process flow is proposed for performing cellular entrapment in droplets. Finally, a novel microfluidic cleaning protocol has been developed to efficiently eliminate both non-biological and biological contaminants from the microfluidic chamber. This innovative protocol has the potential to enable the reuse of any microfluidic chip that does not possess a functionalized surface. / Forskningsarbetet fokuserar på att optimera olika parametrar för att kontrollera celler med hjälp av negativ dielektrofores och fånga in dem i droppmikrofluidik. Detta uppnås genom att utveckla ett konduktivitetsmedium, som kombinerar CytoRecovery, BSA och EDTA, för att upprätthålla ett jämnt antal enstaka celler med god livsduglighet under en längre period. Studien involverar optimering av frekvens och spänning som appliceras på elektroderna för att uppnå de önskade dielektroforetiska krafterna för långvarig cellmanipulation. Optimeringen är baserad på simuleringar utförda med mjukvaran myDEP och COMSOL. Dessutom testas konduktivitetsmediets stabilitet under långvariga elektriska fälttillämpningar. Med tanke på betydelsen av att arbeta med celler är det viktigt att se till att temperaturen inuti kanalerna håller sig inom fysiologiska gränser. Både COMSOL-simuleringar och fysiska experiment med Rhodamine B-färgämne genomförs för att uppnå detta mål. Dessutom föreslås ett väldesignat processflöde för att utföra cellulär infångning i droppar. Slutligen har ett nytt mikrofluidrengöringsprotokoll utvecklats för att effektivt eliminera både icke-biologiska och biologiska föroreningar från mikrofluidkammaren. Detta innovativa protokoll har potential att möjliggöra återanvändning av alla mikrofluidiska chip som inte har en funktionaliserad yta.

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