Is treatment with antibiotics effective? Distinguishing between bacterial and viral infection quickly and cost-effectively was just one application example for the fabrication processes for paper-based biosensors developed in the IMPETUS project. The project aimed to combine paper, printing and microchip technologies to implement a pilot line manufacturing facility in an industrial environment. The pilot line, which was set up at IMPETUS partner tagtron GmbH in Vöcklabruck, will be used to produce fully integrated paper-based electrochemical biosensors that can transfer test results directly to a smartphone. Most infectious diseases require coordinated treatment, which can only take place if medical professionals can also identify the infection. Laboratory tests are time-consuming, cost-intensive and often take too long. This is where the project came in and developed the basis for quickly and cost-effectively implementing tests tailored to individual diseases. The novel paper-based diagnostic test card concept will allow quantitative measurement of biomolecules in blood by healthcare professionals in the field. The new detection method combines paper, printing, and microchip technologies and closes the gap between various rapid tests and complex laboratory analyses. However, the decisive factor for the breakthrough is above all that the diagnostic method not only delivers fast and accurate results, but is also simple to use and cost-effective.
The IMPETUS project involved renowned partners with a strong focus on industrialisation: Four research institutes: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Silicon Austria Labs GmbH, Papiertechnische Stiftung, Chemnitz University of Technology - five SMEs: Maurer Services GmbH, Maurer Engineering UG, Pro-Active sprl, Saralon GmbH, tagtron GmbH - five large companies: Felix Schoeller Holding GmbH & Co KG, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, R-Biopharm AG, Ricoh UK Products Ltd, Sun Chemical Ltd.
