Microfludics: An Emerging Technology For SMEs

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Microfludics An Emerging Technology For SMEs

• Dr Kevin Yallup
• Technical Director
• TFI Ltd
• www.tfi-ltd.co.uk

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TFI

• TFI (Technology For Industry) is a consultancy
  focused on the commercialisation of Emerging
  Technologies
• Help researchers to commercialise ideas
• Help regional governments to stimulate technology
  transfer activity
• Help industrial companies understand and take up
  new technologies
• Microfluidics is one of most exciting emerging
  technologies
• TFI has worked with developers and users of
  microfluidics for more than 4 years
• Currently working with UK Fluence application
  centre for microfluidics

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Agenda

• What is microfluidics?
• What can it do?
• Who is using it?
• Where are the opportunities for SMEs?

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What is microfluidics?

• the manipulation, processing and measurement of
  fluids on a micro (100s µm) scale.
• Laminar flow (no turbulence)
• Can incorporate small particles
• Leveraging modern manufacturing methods to
• create microscopic channels, mixers, reactors,
  analytical tools etc.
• Integrate complete systems onto a single chip

• Will microfluidic chips have the impact on
  fluidics of silicon chips on electronics?

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Microfluidics compared to some important objects
Nanofluidics
Microfluidics
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Nature Uses Microfluidics!
Pump, valves, manifold, functional chips,
reagents
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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
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Why use microfluidics?

• Miniaturisation
• Integration of systems on a single chip
• Low cost, disposable devices
• Micro dispensing
• Better control of physical parameters of flow
• Smaller volumes being processed
• Scale up can avoid changes in process conditions

Lab on a chip
Manufacturing
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Lab-on-a-Chip
?
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Lab on a Chip
Pumps, fluid reservoirs, sample inlet Electronic
instruments Lasers
Fluid processing Electrodes Waveguides for
optical sensors Functional surfaces

Microfluidic Chip
Instrument
Courtesy of Syrris Ltd
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Applications of Microfluidics

• Medical diagnostics
• Genomics and Proteomics
• Cell Processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Ink jet printing
• Chemicals
• Fuel Cells
• ICT
• New applications emerging all the time

Lab on a chip
Manufacturing
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Some Examples of Lab on a Chip Products
Sophion Cell Patch Clamp
Istat blood analyser
Fluidigm protein crystallisation
Pelikan blood glucose
Syrris Africa system
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Some Examples of Microfludic Systems for
Manufacturing
Inkjet printheads HP, Epson, Cannon, Lexmark
Nitroglycerine plant Developed IMM,
Germany Operated Xian Chemical Industrial Group
(HAC)
CYTOS Pilot
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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

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Making a lab on a Chip Device
channels, nozzles, wells, membranes, arrays
TopSpot HSG-IMIT, Germany
Introduction
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IP Portfolio in Micro Engineering

• 3D Integrated Microfluidics

• Optical Waveguides

• Fine Line Microcircuitry - electrodes

• Micro / Nano Structured Surfaces

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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 and
  application testing capabilities
• Shaping
• Electrode and optoelectronics integration
• Surface coating
• Macro to micro world interconnection, sealing and
  bonding
• Batch and roll-roll processing capability

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Support for Product Development
TOOLKIT
CONCEPT TESTING DEVICES
MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS
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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

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Opportunities for SMEs in Microfluidics
Manufacturing equipment (device sheet, roll-roll)
Sensors and Detectors
Device Manufacturing
Instrument-ation and electronics
Product and system development
End Users
Materials
Functional Coatings
Research and Development
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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 throughout the
  supply chain for SMEs

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• Applications of Nanotechnology and Advanced
  Materials for SMEs1430-1545 C / E (P) Dr.
  Kevin Yallup - Technical Director, Technology For
  Industry Ltd, 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