Project description
Novel nanomaterial production platform to upscale microfluidics manufacturing
Microfluidic applications encompass nanomaterials such as nano-enabled surfaces (NES) and nano-enabled membranes (NEMs). However, current production technologies do not support the mass production of complex nano-patterned surfaces, prohibiting the transfer of NES and NEMs into commercial microfluidic devices. To address this, scientists of the EU-funded NextGenMicrofluidics project are in the process of developing a platform for the large-scale production of NES and NEMs. The platform combines polymer foil technology with classic technologies such as injection moulding and high-resolution biomolecule printing. The project's unique approach is expected to reach a high-throughput production capacity of one million components per year, advancing the industrial manufacturing of microfluidic devices.
Objective
Nano enabled components are essential key parts for microfluidic applications - mostly in form of nano-enabled surfaces (NES) and nano-enabled membranes (NEMs). However, crucial challenges hinder the transfer of NES and NEMs into commercial microfluidic devices. Current production technologies (e.g. injection moulding) don’t 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, subsequent backend processing (nano-coatings, printing of nano-based inks, lamination of NEMs) demands for complex single peace handling operations. This restricts upscaling potential and process throughput.
The proposed project NextGenMicrofluidics addresses this challenge with a platform for production of NES and NEMs based microfluidics on large area polymer foils. This approach enables upscaling to high throughput of 1 million devices per year and more. The polymer foil technology is complemented with classic technologies of injection moulding and wafer based glass and silicon processing. These core facilities are combined with essential backend processing steps like high resolution biomolecule printing with the worldwide first roll-to-roll microarray spotter, printing of nano-enabled inks, as well as coating and lamination processes. These unique facilities will be combined and upgraded to a platform for testing of upscaling of microfluidic use cases from TRL4 to TRL7. The services comprise device simulation, mastering of nanostructures, nanomaterial development, material testing, rapid prototyping, device testing, nano-safety assessment and support in regulatory and standardization issues.
The platform will be opened for additional use cases from outside of the consortium, and is therefore called Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB). The operation of such use cases will form the basis for self-sufficient operation of the platform after the project duration of 4 years
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesclassical mechanicsfluid mechanicsmicrofluidics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomolecules
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
8010 Graz
Austria
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Participants (23)
09126 Chemnitz
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8010 Graz
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8041 Graz
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08003 Barcelona
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8020 Graz
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20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
11000 Belgrade
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4261 Rainbach Im Muhlkreis
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
82152 Planegg Martinsried
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
115 27 Athina
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9500 Villach
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2990 NIVA
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
48160 Derio
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
7521 PV Enschede
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
12555 Berlin
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
27711 Osterholz-Scharmbeck
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
33600 Pessac
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
12489 Berlin
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
21000 Split
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8010 Graz
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44263 Dortmund
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
8160 Weiz
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7521 PV Enschede
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.