Materials Science Engineering Intern (Microfluidics & MEMS)

Microfluidics by Brady is seeking a detail-oriented Materials Science Engineering Intern to join our R&D team developing next-generation thermal inkjet and microfluidic technologies. In this role, in our Lexington, Kentucky office, you will evaluate, select, and test structural and functional materials used in the fabrication of high-precision microfluidic devices, helping bridge chip-level MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) design with robust commercial packaging.

• Material Identification & Selection: Screen and evaluate candidate materials including thermoplastics, photoresists, liquid adhesives, and pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) for fluid compatibility, bond strength, and mechanical stability.
• Microfluidic Fabrication & Lamination: Assist in fabricating test vehicles and prototype microfluidic structures using thermoset epoxies, photolithography, and adhesive bonding techniques.
• Material Characterization: Conduct mechanical, thermal, and surface characterization (e.g., contact angle/wettability, shear/peel adhesion testing, solvent resistance, outgassing) to ensure reliability under thermal inkjet operating conditions. You will become familiar with these surface analysis and thermal analytical methods: XPS, EDS, SEM, FTIR, TGA, and DSC.
• MEMS Integration: Collaborate with wafer-level fabrication engineers to evaluate material compatibility with silicon processing steps and cartridge assembly workflows.