Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NextGenMicrofluidics (Next generation test bed for upscaling of microfluidic devices based on nano-enabled surfaces and membranes)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-04-01 al 2021-09-30
Microfluidics makes it possible to transport, control and analyse the smallest quantities of liquid in a limited area. This makes microfluidics a key technology for the development of so-called microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems. One advantage of these lab-on-a-chip systems is that they allow the automated implementation of complex analyses even in small laboratories with limited technical equipment. The potential of these systems is enormous, especially in medicine, pharmaceuticals, production and analytics. However, crucial challenges hinder high-throughput production of microfluidic devices. Current production technologies (e.g. injection moulding) do not allow large volume upscaling of complex nano-patterned surfaces and the produced microfluidic components need to be handled in single pieces in all subsequent processes. Therefore, application of nano-coatings e.g. by dip coating, electrospinning, printing of nano-based inks and lamination demands for complex single peace handling operations. This restricts upscaling potential and process throughput. Recent research activities have demonstrated, that techniques of nano-patterning e.g. in roll format could solve these problems.
NextGenMicrofluidics (NGM) project accelerates the implementation of roll-to-roll technologies for the high-throughput production of microfluidic systems. It will then be possible to produce microfluidic components no longer as single pieces, but on large foils using stamping, printing and lamination processes. A result of NGM is to reach an unrivalled level in the production capacity of flexible lab-on-a-chip systems, so-called labs-on-a-foil
The overall aim of NGM project is the formation of a pan-European test bed, which provides access to existing facilities, capabilities and services and upgrades them to a platform for development, testing and upscaling of microfluidic products. This test bed is aimed to be the worldwide biggest platform for upscaling and testing of microfluidic devices covering all aspects from prototyping to industrial production. Especially testing in an industrial environment, validation of material characteristics and control of the respect of legal and regulatory constraints will be addressed.
The technology validation of the Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) is established on pre-defined case studies from complementary markets, ranging from biosensor development through molecular diagnostics and smart phone-supported home diagnostics to pharmaceutical tests and sensors for monitoring bioprocesses and on funded innovation projects offered through an Open Call.
NGM project combines the competences of 21 partners spanning the whole range from 2 big industry players, 13 SMEs, 4 research institutes to 2 universities along the entire value chain or the development and production of customized microfluidic lab-on-a-foil systems. NGM consortium bundled their unique capabilities in a separate legal entity, the Microfluidics Innovation Hub (MIH). MIH offers its customers central access to the complete value chain for the development and manufacture of microfluidic systems with foil-based components. The offering helps accelerate the demonstration of exciting new scientific breakthroughs towards a working prototype, and beyond into mass manufacturing. In parallel with technical development, MIH can provide its customers easier access to venture capital.
NextGenMicrofluidics (NGM) project accelerates the implementation of roll-to-roll technologies for the high-throughput production of microfluidic systems. It will then be possible to produce microfluidic components no longer as single pieces, but on large foils using stamping, printing and lamination processes. A result of NGM is to reach an unrivalled level in the production capacity of flexible lab-on-a-chip systems, so-called labs-on-a-foil
The overall aim of NGM project is the formation of a pan-European test bed, which provides access to existing facilities, capabilities and services and upgrades them to a platform for development, testing and upscaling of microfluidic products. This test bed is aimed to be the worldwide biggest platform for upscaling and testing of microfluidic devices covering all aspects from prototyping to industrial production. Especially testing in an industrial environment, validation of material characteristics and control of the respect of legal and regulatory constraints will be addressed.
The technology validation of the Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) is established on pre-defined case studies from complementary markets, ranging from biosensor development through molecular diagnostics and smart phone-supported home diagnostics to pharmaceutical tests and sensors for monitoring bioprocesses and on funded innovation projects offered through an Open Call.
NGM project combines the competences of 21 partners spanning the whole range from 2 big industry players, 13 SMEs, 4 research institutes to 2 universities along the entire value chain or the development and production of customized microfluidic lab-on-a-foil systems. NGM consortium bundled their unique capabilities in a separate legal entity, the Microfluidics Innovation Hub (MIH). MIH offers its customers central access to the complete value chain for the development and manufacture of microfluidic systems with foil-based components. The offering helps accelerate the demonstration of exciting new scientific breakthroughs towards a working prototype, and beyond into mass manufacturing. In parallel with technical development, MIH can provide its customers easier access to venture capital.
During the first 18 months, the NGM consortium focused on three main areas: the upgrade of the existing infrastructure and its interconnection, the establishment of the Microfluidics Innovation Hub as a single entry point for future customers, and the technology validation of the OITB by the pre-defined Demo-cases. The main results, which were achieved in this context, are:
Set-up of connected facilities for upscaling of foil based microfluidic devices: The core part of the consortiums technology portfolio i.e. the implementation of Roll-to-Roll (R2R)imprinting, R2R biofunctionalisation and R2R lamination processes was complemented with technologies and services such as microfluidic simulations, biomolecule interaction modelling, development of biofunctionalisation strategies, chip material development, development of microelectronic chip periphery and others.
Foundation of the start-up Microfluidics Innovation Hub (MIH): The MIH started with its operation by launching the Open Call. Through this Open Call, external costumers can get access to the service portfolio of NGM.
Technology validation of the Open Innovation Test Bed: The NGM consortium react to the COVID-19 crisis by developing and upscaling new rapid diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 (detection of viral genetic material) as well as a Covid-19 antibody test. Moreover, the consortium addressed a broad spectrum of additional microfluidic applications ranging from food analysis, IVD diagnostics and medical home diagnostics to cell cultivation and enzyme activity sensors for bioprocess monitoring
Concerning the dissemination and communication activities of the project in the first reporting period, the consortium aimed to create project visibility and disseminate the project among academic researchers in microfluidics as well as the public. The NGM website was launched on M4. The project is also present on the social media channels LinkedIn Twitter and YouTube, where it continuously informs interested parties about current developments. NGM scientific results have also been presented in several scientific events such as congresses, workshops, displays/fairs, etc., which took place almost exclusively online due to the current pandemic. As planned, one press release was published at the beginning of the project.
Set-up of connected facilities for upscaling of foil based microfluidic devices: The core part of the consortiums technology portfolio i.e. the implementation of Roll-to-Roll (R2R)imprinting, R2R biofunctionalisation and R2R lamination processes was complemented with technologies and services such as microfluidic simulations, biomolecule interaction modelling, development of biofunctionalisation strategies, chip material development, development of microelectronic chip periphery and others.
Foundation of the start-up Microfluidics Innovation Hub (MIH): The MIH started with its operation by launching the Open Call. Through this Open Call, external costumers can get access to the service portfolio of NGM.
Technology validation of the Open Innovation Test Bed: The NGM consortium react to the COVID-19 crisis by developing and upscaling new rapid diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 (detection of viral genetic material) as well as a Covid-19 antibody test. Moreover, the consortium addressed a broad spectrum of additional microfluidic applications ranging from food analysis, IVD diagnostics and medical home diagnostics to cell cultivation and enzyme activity sensors for bioprocess monitoring
Concerning the dissemination and communication activities of the project in the first reporting period, the consortium aimed to create project visibility and disseminate the project among academic researchers in microfluidics as well as the public. The NGM website was launched on M4. The project is also present on the social media channels LinkedIn Twitter and YouTube, where it continuously informs interested parties about current developments. NGM scientific results have also been presented in several scientific events such as congresses, workshops, displays/fairs, etc., which took place almost exclusively online due to the current pandemic. As planned, one press release was published at the beginning of the project.
During the first 18 months the following progress beyond the state of the art was achieved:
• Reaction to Covid-19 crisis with implementation of a Sars-CoV 2 virus test (detection of viral genetic material) and a Covid-19 antibody tests.
Expected results until the end of the project:
• First all-in-one microfluidic cartridge comprising all liquid pumping, liquid handling and detection units from roll-to-roll processing (e.g. with optical effects).
• First implementation of a periodontitis diagnostic chip from full roll-to-roll based processing.
• First implementation of a sensor combining microfluidics, ion-selective sensing and smart-phone based power supply as well as data read-out. The consortium will aim on an early IP protection strategy covering new findings of the R&D process.
• First multilayer enzymatic sensors based on foil based imprinted components. The technology of foilbased microfluidics is comparably new.
Potential impact
NGM works on a first time realisation of foil based microfluidics processing in combination with glass and silicon based wafer processing as well as injection moulding. The process line will be upgraded and connected with several processes enabling integration of microfluidic components, like electrospinning of nano-fiber networks, lamination onto thermoplastic polymer foil based microfluidics, inkjet and screen-printing of nano-based inks. In addition, the pilot facilities will be upgraded with additional in-line metrology equipment. With this upgrade, the consortium will run a unique platform addressing the vast majority of microfluidics applications (microfluidics from other materials than polymers, glass or silicon share just around 10% of world-wide market).
• Reaction to Covid-19 crisis with implementation of a Sars-CoV 2 virus test (detection of viral genetic material) and a Covid-19 antibody tests.
Expected results until the end of the project:
• First all-in-one microfluidic cartridge comprising all liquid pumping, liquid handling and detection units from roll-to-roll processing (e.g. with optical effects).
• First implementation of a periodontitis diagnostic chip from full roll-to-roll based processing.
• First implementation of a sensor combining microfluidics, ion-selective sensing and smart-phone based power supply as well as data read-out. The consortium will aim on an early IP protection strategy covering new findings of the R&D process.
• First multilayer enzymatic sensors based on foil based imprinted components. The technology of foilbased microfluidics is comparably new.
Potential impact
NGM works on a first time realisation of foil based microfluidics processing in combination with glass and silicon based wafer processing as well as injection moulding. The process line will be upgraded and connected with several processes enabling integration of microfluidic components, like electrospinning of nano-fiber networks, lamination onto thermoplastic polymer foil based microfluidics, inkjet and screen-printing of nano-based inks. In addition, the pilot facilities will be upgraded with additional in-line metrology equipment. With this upgrade, the consortium will run a unique platform addressing the vast majority of microfluidics applications (microfluidics from other materials than polymers, glass or silicon share just around 10% of world-wide market).