Droplet-based microfluidics is a key emerging technology for the miniaturization and automation of biochemical assays. The limiting factor for industrial applications of the technology is not the device aspect but rather the robust control of emulsion formulations to be used in these devices. Existing formulation solutions available on the market are far from being mature enough to fully convince and satisfy the end-user. The ERC project SOFI has resulted in the fundamental understanding of the dynamics of surfactant with two key results on emulsification efficiency and on retention efficiency. We identified that the flaw in the formulations results from a fundamental misunderstanding of the surfactant properties.
We plan to provide high-quality and high-added value formulations, adapted to the industrial landscape of droplet-based microfluidics with an non-restrictive level of details on the elements of the formulation for the customer. We characterize the molecules using a newly developed methods for a quantitative determination of the formulation performance.
The aim of the proposed Proof of Concept were to (i) improve our product technical and economic properties, (ii) finalize the transfer of our technology from the laboratory to the market and (iii) to start business and product commercialization. Over the 18 months of the project, we have improved the production of our surfactant molecules, protected our technical know-how and developed a network of providers, collaborators and beta-tester customers to move towards a commercial product. Based on these results, we are currently finalizing the creation of a startup company which will provide large quantities of surfactant tailored to the needs of the industries developing novel microfluidic methods and instruments.
