microfludics-an emerging technology for smes

7/28/2019 Microfludics-An Emerging Technology for SMEs

1/22

Microfludics: An Emerging

Technology For SMEs

Dr Kevin Yallup

Technical Director

TFI Ltd

www.tfi-ltd.co.uk
http://www.tfi-ltd.co.uk/http://www.tfi-ltd.co.uk/http://www.tfi-ltd.co.uk/http://www.tfi-ltd.co.uk/


2/22

TFI

TFI (Technology For Industry) is a consultancy

focused on the commercialisation of EmergingTechnologies Help researchers to commercialise ideas

Help regional governments to stimulate technologytransfer activity

Help industrial companies understand and take upnew technologies

Microfluidics is one of most exciting emergingtechnologies

TFI has worked with developers and users ofmicrofluidics for more than 4 years

Currently working with UK Fluence application centrefor microfluidics


3/22

Agenda

What is microfluidics?

What can it do?

Who is using it? Where are the opportunities for SMEs?


4/22

What is microfluidics?

the manipulation, processing and

measurement of fluids on a micro(100s m) scale. Laminar flow (no turbulence)

Can incorporate small particles

Leveraging modern manufacturingmethods to create microscopic channels, mixers,

reactors, analytical tools etc.

Integrate complete systems onto a singlechip

Will microfluidic chips have the impact

on fluidics of silicon chips on

electronics?


5/22

Microfluidics compared to some

important objects

Nanofluidics Microfluidics


6/22

Pump, valves,

manifold,

functionalchips, reagents

Nature Uses Microfluidics!
http://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpghttp://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpghttp://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpghttp://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpghttp://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpghttp://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/gif/circsys.gifhttp://www.naspe-patients.org/patients/heart_disorders/images/normalheart1.jpg


7/22

What can microfluidics do?

Laminar flow, diffusion controlled regime

Mixing of fluids Highly controlled reactions

Transport of fluids Channels

Pumping and valves

Precise temperature control

Micro dispensing

In channel electrodes Sensors, heaters

Optical waveguides and ports

But Microfluidics is bad at Separation

Filtration, sorting solid phase

Batch processing

SOLIDS

Diffusion Mixing


8/22

Why use microfluidics?

Miniaturisation

Integration of systems on a single chip

Low cost, disposable devices

Micro dispensing

Better control of physical parametersof flow

Smaller volumes being processed

Scale up can avoid changes in

process conditions

Labonachip

Manufacturin

g


9/22

Lab-on-a-Chip

?


10/22

Lab on a Chip

Microfluidic Chip Instrument

+

Courtesy of Syrris Ltd

Fluid processing

Electrodes

Waveguides for optical sensors

Functional surfaces

Pumps, fluid reservoirs, sample inlet

Electronic instruments

Lasers


11/22

Applications of Microfluidics

Medical diagnostics

Genomics and Proteomics

Cell Processing

Pharmaceuticals

Ink jet printing Chemicals

Fuel Cells

ICT

New applications emerging all the time

L

abonachip

Manufacturing


12/22

Some Examples of Lab on a Chip

Products

Fluidigm proteincrystallisation

Istat blood

analyser

Pelikan blood

glucose

Syrris Africa system

Sophion Cell Patch Clamp
http://www.thinxxs.de/references/files/pel.htm


13/22

Some Examples of Microfludic

Systems for Manufacturing

CYTOSPilot

Nitroglycerine plant

Developed: IMM, Germany

Operated: Xian Chemical

Industrial Group (HAC)

Inkjet

printheads:

HP, Epson,

Cannon,

Lexmark


14/22

Case Study: Fluence Application

Centre

UK Fluence Application Centre for polymer

microfluidics

Other materials also possibe (glass, metal, silicon

etc.) through UK and European network of partners

Funded by UK Technology Strategy Board

Managed by Epigem Ltd, Redcar, UK

Objective:

A service within the UK MNT Network focused on

supporting the development of products enabled by

integrated microfluidic devices and hybrid polymer

solutions


15/22

Making a lab on a Chip Device

FluidPorts

Laminate

on Lid

channels,nozzles,

wells,

membranes,

arrays

TopSpot HSG-IMIT,

Germany

Introduction
http://localhost/var/www/apps/tom/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKBB/Epigem%20Company%20Overview.PPT


16/22

3D Integrated Microfluidics Optical Waveguides

Micro / Nano Structured Surfaces Fine Line Microcircuitry - electrodes

Mounting holes

Fluid flow path

Ferrule

2 chips

bonded

together

Additional

chip

assembled

via

ferrules

Parallel flow paths

Underlayer

0-1.5m

Feature Width >200nm Feature Height50nm to 2mm

Substrate:

Rigid or flexible

Overlayer


17/22

Fluence: evolving development

infrastructure

Access to IP portfolio and skilled personnel

Technologies Coating, UV embossing / imprinting /

micromoulding

Printing Lithography, screen, ink jet, gravure,bead, slot etc

Electroplating

Laminating, bonding

Batch (sheet or board) or reel to reel on film

Clean room facilities, design, fabrication andapplication testing capabilities Shaping

Electrode and optoelectronics integration Surface coating

Macro to micro world interconnection, sealing andbonding

Batch and roll-roll processing capability
http://localhost/var/www/apps/tom/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLKBB/Epigem%20Company%20Overview.PPT


18/22

Support for Product Development

TOOLKIT CONCEPT TESTING

DEVICES

MANUFACTURED

COMPONENTS

Idea andcore producttechnology

(From customer)

Proof ofConceptservice

Pre-productio

nprototype(Functional

versionof evolvingproduct)

Productionprototype

(Provesmanufacturabili

ty and widerintegration)

Productfor launch(Manufacture)


19/22

Example customer specification for

microfluidic function integration

Functions integrated to meet OEM customer

needs

Heating

Valve control

Hybrid bonding - quartz to polymer

Electrical interconnection for sensor readout

Microfluidic circuit for fluid distribution

Plug and play demountable leak free fluid

interconnect to disposable sensor

Macro to micro world interconnection hierarchy

integrating milli and microfluidics


20/22

Opportunities for SMEs in

Microfluidics

Manufacturing

equipment (device

sheet, roll-roll)

Materials

Device

Manufacturing

Functional

Coatings

Sensors

and

Detectors

Instrument

-ation andelectronics

Product and

systemdevelopment

End

Users

Research and Development


21/22

Summary

Microfluidics is a technology that is rapidly

expanding into a wide range of applications ICT

Laboratory instrumentation

Medical and healthcare

Chemical manufacturing

Wide range of manufacturing technologies,leading edge technology not needed

Product design is still a challenge

There are a lot of opportunities throughoutthe supply chain for SMEs


22/22

Applications of Nanotechnology and Advanced

Materials for SMEs14:30-15:45 C / E (P) Dr. Kevin Yallup -Technical Director, Technology For IndustryLtd, UK Charlie T. Chow - Managing Director, Nano-fabric Co., Ltd Dr. Jiyun FENG - Technical Project Manager,Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited Dr. Krassimir Velikov - Unilever Food &Health Research Institute

microfludics-an emerging technology for smes

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