#Microfluidics

[fuckyeahfluiddynamics]

Blood Flow in a Fin

This award-winning video shows blood flowing through the tail fin of a small fish. Cells flow outward in a central vessel, then split to either side for the return journey. (Video and image credit: F. Weston for the 2023 Nikon Small World in Motion Competition; via Colossal) Read the full article

[mattgrayyes]

I can't remember when I last spend a whole day going wow like this, the research has got so much further than I'd have expected!

Matt Gray is Trying: Biomedical Research

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Microfluidic sensors enable real-time detection of multiple heavy metals in water

A group of researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has designed and developed advanced microfluidic sensor arrays that use fluorescent probes to simultaneously visualize and quantitatively detect multiple heavy metal ions in environmental water in real time. "This innovation provides a powerful new tool for monitoring water quality and ensuring water safety," said Prof. Jiang Changlong, who led the team. The study is published in Chemical Engineering Journal. Heavy metals such as mercury (Hg2+), lead (Pb2+), chromium (Cr3+), and copper (Cu2+) are common pollutants in our water systems. These contaminants are difficult to remove and can cause serious harm to both ecosystems and human health.

Read more.

[bpod-bpod]

Spread on Chips

A micropatterned chip that mimics the natural conditions of tumour spread into surrounding tissue in 3D. Invasive (metastatic) potential of cancer cells can be measured, and therapeutics screened

Read the published research article here

Still from a video from work by Smiti Bhattacharya and colleagues

Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Published in Science Advances, August 2024

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[microscope-world]

Microfluidics under the ZEISS Stemi 508 microscope.

[innonurse]

Microfluidic organ chip replicates human cervix, addressing critical gap in women's health research

- By InnoNurse Staff -

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects over 25% of reproductive-aged women, causing severe health complications, and is inadequately treated by current antibiotics, prompting researchers at Harvard and UC Davis to develop a microfluidic "Cervix Chip" that models the cervix's complex environment to better study BV and improve treatments.

Read more at Harvard University/Medical Xpress

Header image credit: DALL·E 3

[agaselectronicmaterials]

High-Transparency Ostemer 322 Crystal Clear Polymer for Microfluidics and MEMS Applications

Discover Ostemer 322 Crystal Clear, a dual cure polymer with exceptional transparency and bonding capabilities. Ideal for microfluidic cartridges, MEMS antennas, and rapid prototyping, this material ensures high precision and reliability in advanced applications. Contact A-Gas Electronic Materials for expert solutions.

[idexindia]

Choosing the Right High Pressure Homogenizer for Your Business

Navigating the world of emulsions and suspensions can be quite intricate. Achieving a mixture often demands specialised equipment to attain the desired particle size and uniformity. This is where High Pressure Homogenizers (HPH) play a role. In this blog, we’ll understand the same in detail.

[nuadox]

3D-printed chip sensor identifies foodborne pathogens to ensure safer products

- By Nuadox Crew -

Food recalls due to contamination are a common occurrence, often leading to consumer distrust in the safety and reliability of their food and drink. Unfortunately, these recalls frequently happen too late to prevent some individuals from falling ill.

Despite significant efforts by the food industry to combat pathogens, contaminated products still reach consumers, causing illness. A major issue lies in the limitations of the current tools used to screen for harmful pathogens, which are not always effective enough to protect public health.

Researchers from Guangdong University of Technology and Pudong New District People's Hospital, published in AIP Advances by AIP Publishing, have developed a new method for detecting foodborne pathogens that is faster, cheaper, and more effective than existing methods. Their goal is to enhance screening processes and prevent contaminated food from reaching consumers.

Detecting pathogens in food is inherently challenging due to their diverse nature and the various environments they can thrive in. According to author Silu Feng, the task is further complicated by factors such as low pathogen concentrations in large food samples, the presence of similar non-pathogenic organisms, and the complex nature of different food types. Existing detection methods, including cell culture and DNA sequencing, are difficult to employ on a large scale, meaning not every batch of food can be thoroughly tested, and some contaminants inevitably slip through.

Current methods also face several limitations, such as lengthy result times, the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel, and difficulties in detecting multiple pathogens simultaneously. These limitations underscore the need for improved detection techniques.

The researchers' innovative solution is a microfluidic chip that uses light to detect multiple types of pathogens simultaneously. This chip, fabricated using 3D printing, can be produced in large quantities and easily modified to target specific pathogens. The chip is divided into four sections, each designed to detect a specific pathogen. When a pathogen is present in the sample, it binds to a detection surface, altering its optical properties. This design allows for the quick detection of several common bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and S. aureus, even at very low concentrations.

Silu Feng highlights that this method significantly improves detection efficiency, as it can rapidly and effectively identify multiple pathogens, with results that are easy to interpret. The research team plans to further develop their device to enhance its applicability for food screening, aiming to make the food supply safer for consumers.

Header image credit: Image Creator from Microsoft Designer/DALL.E (AI-generated)

Read more at American Institute of Physics/ScienceDaily

Scientific paper: Silu Feng, Kongjin Mo, Xin Song. 3D printed microfluidic chip integrated with nanointerferometer for multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens. AIP Advances, 2024; 14 (6) DOI: 10.1063/5.0208274

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Other recent news

Tiny Titan 3D Printer: Researchers from MIT and the University of Texas have developed a revolutionary coin-sized 3D printer that could enable rapid prototyping on the go.

[trendtrackershq]

How is Asia-Pacific Shaping the Future of the Microfluidics Market? Exploring Strategies, Innovations, and Key Developments

Introduction

The Microfluidics Market is experiencing significant growth worldwide, with the Asia-Pacific region showing a steady rise due to several critical factors. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), alongside a growing emphasis on healthcare innovation, is driving this expansion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China alone accounts for 100 million people living with COPD, representing 25% of all COPD cases globally. This article delves into the factors behind Asia-Pacific's emergence as a key player in the microfluidics market, highlighting strategies, innovations, and developments that are shaping the future of this dynamic sector.

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Asia-Pacific’s Strategic Edge in Microfluidics

High Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The Asia-Pacific region faces a high burden of chronic diseases, including COPD, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. The need for effective diagnostics and treatment solutions is driving the demand for microfluidic technologies, which offer rapid, accurate, and cost-effective testing and monitoring.

Healthcare Infrastructure Development: Many countries in Asia-Pacific are investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure to improve accessibility and quality of care. Governments and private sectors are collaborating to build advanced healthcare facilities equipped with the latest technologies, including microfluidic devices.

Technological Advancements and Innovation: The region is witnessing rapid advancements in microfluidic technologies, driven by a strong emphasis on research and development. Universities, research institutions, and companies are working together to innovate and commercialize new microfluidic applications.

Supportive Government Policies: Several Asia-Pacific countries have implemented policies that support the growth of the biotechnology and medical device industries. These policies include funding for research, tax incentives for technology development, and streamlined regulatory processes for new medical technologies.

Emerging Innovations in Microfluidics Technology

Point-of-Care Diagnostics: One of the most significant innovations in the microfluidics market is the development of point-of-care diagnostic devices. These portable and easy-to-use devices enable healthcare providers to conduct rapid tests at the patient’s location, improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.

Lab-on-a-Chip Devices: Lab-on-a-chip technology is revolutionizing the field by integrating multiple laboratory functions onto a single chip. These devices can perform complex analyses with minimal sample volumes and faster processing times, making them ideal for applications in diagnostics, drug development, and environmental monitoring.

Personalized Medicine: Microfluidic devices are playing a crucial role in the advancement of personalized medicine. These devices enable the analysis of individual patient samples to tailor treatments based on specific genetic, biochemical, and physiological characteristics, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

Integration with Digital Health: The integration of microfluidics with digital health technologies, such as mobile health applications and telemedicine platforms, is enhancing the utility and accessibility of these devices. Digital health solutions facilitate remote monitoring, data collection, and real-time analysis, supporting better patient management and care.

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Key Developments in the Microfluidics Market

Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities: To meet the growing demand for microfluidic devices, companies in Asia-Pacific are expanding their manufacturing capabilities. This includes building new production facilities and scaling up existing ones to increase output and reduce costs.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborations between companies, research institutions, and healthcare providers are driving innovation and commercialization in the microfluidics market. These partnerships enable knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and accelerated development of new technologies.

Regulatory Approvals and Standards: Obtaining regulatory approvals and adhering to international standards are critical for the successful commercialization of microfluidic devices. Asia-Pacific countries are working towards harmonizing their regulatory frameworks with global standards to facilitate market entry and adoption of new technologies.

Commercialization of New Products: The continuous launch of new and advanced microfluidic devices is propelling market growth. Companies are introducing products that address specific healthcare needs, such as rapid COVID-19 testing kits, cancer diagnostics, and personalized drug delivery systems.

Impact on Global Healthcare and Diagnostics

Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities: Microfluidic devices offer enhanced diagnostic capabilities by providing rapid, accurate, and cost-effective analyses. These devices can detect diseases at early stages, monitor health conditions, and provide real-time data, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Accelerated Drug Development: Microfluidics is playing a vital role in drug development by enabling high-throughput screening, toxicity testing, and personalized drug formulation. This accelerates the drug development process and reduces costs, bringing new therapies to market faster.

Improved Access to Healthcare: The portability and ease of use of microfluidic devices enhance access to healthcare, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Point-of-care testing devices can be used in various settings, from rural clinics to emergency rooms, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

Future Outlook and Strategic Imperatives

Looking ahead, Asia-Pacific’s growth in the microfluidics market is poised to continue, driven by several strategic imperatives:

Continued Investment in Research and Development: Ongoing investment in R&D is crucial for advancing microfluidic technologies. Companies and research institutions must focus on developing next-generation devices that offer greater accuracy, faster processing times, and broader applications.

Expansion of Applications: The potential applications of microfluidics extend beyond healthcare and diagnostics to fields such as environmental monitoring, food safety, and industrial processes. Expanding the use of microfluidic technologies in these areas can drive market growth and innovation.

Regulatory Support and Compliance: Ensuring compliance with regulatory standards is essential for the successful commercialization of microfluidic devices. Companies must navigate regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and efficacy of their products, gaining the trust of healthcare providers and patients.

Leveraging Digital Health Platforms: The integration of microfluidics with digital health platforms can enhance the utility and accessibility of these devices. Digital platforms can facilitate remote monitoring, telemedicine, and data analytics, providing comprehensive healthcare solutions.

Conclusion

Asia-Pacific's emergence as a dominant player in the microfluidics market is driven by a high prevalence of chronic diseases, significant healthcare investments, and a strong focus on technological innovation. The region's commitment to advancing microfluidic technologies is transforming healthcare and diagnostics, improving patient outcomes, and reducing costs. As the demand for rapid, accurate, and personalized healthcare solutions continues to grow, Asia-Pacific’s leadership in the microfluidics market is poised to strengthen, paving the way for a future where microfluidic devices play a pivotal role in global healthcare.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

New 3D printing technique integrates electronics into microchannels to create flexible, stretchable microfluidic devices

The transition from traditional 2D to 3D microfluidic structures is a significant advancement in microfluidics, offering benefits in scientific and industrial applications. These 3D systems improve throughput through parallel operation, and soft elastomeric networks, when filled with conductive materials like liquid metal, allowing for the integration of microfluidics and electronics. However, traditional methods such as soft lithography fabrication which requires cleanroom facilities have limitations in achieving fully automated 3D interconnected microchannels. The manual procedures involved in these methods, including polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding and layer-to-layer alignment, hinder the automation potential of microfluidic device production. 3D printing is a promising alternative to traditional microfluidic fabrication methods. Photopolymerization techniques like stereolithography apparatus (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) enable the creation of complex microchannels.

Read more.

[bpod-bpod]

Driving the Tube

Applying advanced microfluidics technology, reveals the role of cells' 'handedness' – a bias for direction of growth – in vessel development

Read the published research article here

Image from work by Haokang Zhang and colleagues

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Science Advances, February 2024

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[techninja]

Miniaturizing Innovation: Exploring the Microfluidics Market

In the realm of life sciences and healthcare, the Microfluidics market is emerging as a transformative force, enabling researchers and clinicians to miniaturize laboratory processes and revolutionize diagnostics and therapeutics. This article delves into the burgeoning field of microfluidics, its applications in biomedical research and diagnostics, and its potential to reshape the healthcare landscape.

Microfluidics, the science of manipulating fluids at the microscale, offers a versatile platform for a wide range of applications, from drug discovery and genomics to point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. By leveraging the unique physics and mechanics of fluid flow at small scales, microfluidic devices enable precise control over sample volumes, reaction kinetics, and experimental workflows.

The Microfluidics market encompasses an extensive array of technologies, including lab-on-a-chip devices, microfluidic pumps, valves, and sensors, as well as integrated systems for automated sample preparation and analysis. These miniaturized platforms offer numerous advantages over traditional laboratory techniques, including reduced sample and reagent consumption, faster analysis times, and increased sensitivity and throughput.

One of the key drivers propelling the growth of the Microfluidics market is the increasing demand for point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. Microfluidic devices enable rapid and cost-effective analysis of biological samples, allowing for early detection of diseases, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and tailoring of therapies to individual patient needs.

In addition to healthcare applications, microfluidic technologies are transforming the landscape of biomedical research, enabling researchers to conduct experiments with unprecedented precision and scalability. From studying cellular dynamics and microorganisms to exploring complex biological phenomena, microfluidic platforms offer insights that were previously inaccessible using conventional laboratory techniques.

Moreover, the integration of microfluidics with other emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging techniques, is expanding the horizons of biomedical research and diagnostics. By combining microfluidic devices with AI-powered analytics and high-resolution imaging systems, researchers can extract valuable insights from complex biological data with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

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As the Microfluidics market continues to evolve, collaboration between academia, industry, and healthcare providers will be essential to realize its full potential. Addressing challenges such as standardization, scalability, and regulatory compliance will be crucial to accelerating the adoption of microfluidic technologies across diverse applications and settings.

In conclusion, the Microfluidics market represents a paradigm shift in biomedical research and diagnostics, offering a powerful platform for innovation and discovery. With its ability to miniaturize laboratory processes, enhance analytical capabilities, and enable personalized healthcare solutions, microfluidic technology is poised to shape the future of medicine and healthcare delivery, driving advances that benefit patients, researchers, and clinicians alike.

[yashmedica]

From Bench to Breakthrough: How Next-Gen Technologies are Transforming Labs

The laboratory equipment market is thriving, driven by advancements in next-generation sequencing, microfluidics, and automation

The Powerhouse of Discovery: A Look at the Laboratory Equipment Market From groundbreaking research to routine medical diagnostics, laboratory equipment plays a vital role in healthcare. The global laboratory equipment market is anticipated to reach a staggering USD 84.79 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand for advanced technologies and increasing investments in life sciences research. This…

[jcmarchi]

Exploring the dynamic world of laser welding - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/exploring-the-dynamic-world-of-laser-welding-technology-org/

Exploring the dynamic world of laser welding - Technology Org

In the realm of manufacturing and engineering, advancements in technology continually redefine the boundaries of what is possible. Among these innovations, laser micro welding stands out as a remarkable technique that has revolutionized the way delicate components are joined together. 

Laser welding. Illustrative photo. Image credit: Chokniti Khongchum via pexels.com, free license

How laser micro welding works

At its core, laser micro welding is a welding possess that utilizes a focused laser beam to join small components with extreme accuracy. Unlike traditional welding methods that often involve heat-intensive processes, such as arc welding or gas welding, laser micro welding operates on a different principle, harnessing the power of coherent light to melt and fuse materials together. 

The different possible applications

One of the key advantages of laser micro welding is its ability to achieve high-quality welds in materials with varying compositions and thicknesses. Whether it’s dissimilar metals, thermoplastics, or even fragile materials like glass or ceramics, laser micro melding offers a level of precision that is unmatched by other, conventional, welding techniques. 

The benefits of laser micro welding

One of the most important features of laser micro welding is its minimal heat-affected zone (HAZ). Unlike other welding methods that can cause deformation, warping, or material damage due to excessive heat, laser micro welding minimizes thermal impact on the surrounding area. 

Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

Laser micro welding also offers practical benefits. It offers unmatched repeatability and consistency, ensuring that each weld meets the highest standard or quality and reliability. This is critical in industries where precision is non-negotiable, such as medical device manufacturing or aerospace engineering, where the smallest defect could have significant consequences. 

The future of laser micro welding

Technology is constantly developing, and so do the potential applications of laser micro welding. From microelectronics and microfluidics to jewelry and dental prosthetics, this technique knows no boundaries. Laser micro welding is on its way to becoming the forefront of innovation.