Increasing cost pressure drives innovation in the fields of life sciences, biotechnology and analytics. Preparing samples, generating and processing increasingly larger amounts of data and increasingly shorter throughput times all lead to a constant miniaturization of key components in glass and plastic. Flow cells, biochips, lab-on-a-chip components, gratings, integrated electrodes and microchannels and cuvettes: many components in the fields of biophotonics and microfluidics exhibit functional layers at the micro- and nanoscale.

Swiss company IMT Microtechnologies considers itself the perfect partner for companies in which microfluidics, biotechnology and optics overlap and that require a multidisciplinary approach as well as a broad portfolio of processes. “Translating an assay to a microfluidic solution requires a thorough understanding of the analyte and the methods used to isolate and/or dock it onto a surface within the channel network. It also requires that we identify the appropriate transduction mechanisms as well as the necessary processes and materials,” says Dr Alexios Paul Tzannis, Business Development Manager at IMT, describing part of this complex task. Here, combining complex structures on and in glass wafers with novel surface chemistry solutions gives rise to innovative consumables for use in life science and diagnostics.


Liquid control at the nanoscale

French company Fluigent offers a wide range of solutions for use in micro- and nanofluidic applications, all of which aim at increasing control, automation, precision and user-friendliness. “Microfluidics are paving the way for point-of-care diagnostics. The focus here lies on precise, fast and portable instruments that put the skills of a medical laboratory in the hand of the user, right at the point of care, for example in operating theatres,” says Jaques Pechdimaljian, OEM Product Manager at Fluigent, explaining the company’s alignment. Simply put, Fluigent is geared towards liquid control down to the nanoscale. As devices that generate and regulate microprints are gaining in popularity, Fluigent sees its focal point and added value in the adaptation of subcomponents for POC devices. These include portable devices (battery-powered, compact and lightweight) and precision devices (flow stability, accuracy) as well as reliable systems (prevention of blockage, contamination, bubbles, etc.). The fields of application for devices like these far exceed the realm of medical technology (ambulant examination to detect blood clots in the operating theatre). Other fields of application include detecting contamination in food and beverage manufacturing and screening municipal water for heavy metals.

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