Microfludics: An Emerging Technology For SMEs

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

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

Agenda

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

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 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?

Microfluidics compared to some important objects

Nanofluidics Microfluidics

Nature Uses Microfluidics!

Pump, valves, manifold, functional chips, reagents

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

Diffusion Mixing

Batch processing SOLIDS

Why use microfluidics?

Lab on a chip

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

Manufacturing

Lab-on-a-Chip

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

+
Microfluidic Chip Instrument
Courtesy of Syrris Ltd

Applications of Microfluidics
Medical diagnostics Genomics and Proteomics Cell Processing Pharmaceuticals Ink jet printing Chemicals Fuel Cells ICT
Lab on a chip Manufacturing

New applications emerging all the time

Some Examples of Lab on a Chip Products

Sophion Cell Patch Clamp Istat blood analyser

Fluidigm protein crystallisation

Pelikan blood glucose

Syrris Africa system

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

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

Making a lab on a Chip Device

Fluid Ports

Laminate on Lid

channels, nozzles, wells, membranes, arrays

TopSpot HSG-IMIT, Germany Introduction

IP Portfolio in Micro Engineering

3D Integrated Microfluidics
Fluid flow path Additional chip assembled via ferrules

Optical Waveguides
Overlayer <1.5m Fibre-optic cable Channel 6-60m

2 chips bonded together

V-Groove Ferrule Parallel flow paths Mounting holes

n1 = 1.45 to 1.65 n2 = n1 - (0.004 to 0.01)

Micro / Nano Structured Surfaces

Feature Width >200nm Feature Height 50nm to 2mm

Fine Line Microcircuitry - electrodes

Surface roughness 5-15nm rms 3 m (min.) width 5 m (min.) gap Embedded metal tracks

Underlayer 0-1.5m

Substrate: Rigid or flexible

Polymer insulator Adhesive layer Carrier substrate

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

Support for Product Development

Idea and core product technology
(From customer)

Proof of Concept service

Preproductio n prototype
(Functional version of evolving product)

Production prototype
(Proves manufacturabili ty and wider integration)

Product for launch

(Manufacture)

TOOLKIT

CONCEPT TESTING DEVICES

MANUFACTURED COMPONENTS

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

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

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

 Applications of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials for SMEs 14:30-15:45 C / E (P) Dr. Kevin Yallup Technical Director, Technology For Industry Ltd, UK Charlie T. Chow - Managing Director, Nanofabric Co., Ltd Dr. Jiyun FENG - Technical Project Manager, Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited Dr. Krassimir Velikov - Unilever Food & Health Research Institute