MICROLAB

Objective of the project

The project Microlab has multiple objectives:

1. exploit the properties of femtosecond lasers for designing and making on-demand custom micro-fluidic chips;
2. exploit the properties of femtosecond lasers for micro et nano structuring the microfluidic chips channels surfaces in order to facilitate fluidics flux and thermal transfers;
3. enhance injection molds properties with micro structuration and functionalized surfaces;
4. exploit the properties of thulium laser for micro-fluidic chips encapsulation;
5. develop numerical tools for designing microfluidic channels and micromachining patterns;
6. study the possibilities to integrate various sensors for liquid detection, chemical reaction or temperature evolution into the micro-fluidic channels by the aerosol jet printing technology;
7. realize a demonstrator composed of:

– a first laser module for micro-machining. This module will permit to realize microfluidic circuits on various materials (glass, polymer, ceramics and metals)

– a second laser module for encapsulation. Two approaches are foreseen: laser direct welding of two transparent thermoplastics or combining laser technology with additives selective micro-impression;

– an automation unit permitting the link between the two previous modules in order to obtain an autonomous demonstrator capable of fabricating a complete microfluidic chip.

The project MICROLAB has been approved by the Mecatech Cluster in the framework of Plan Marshall of the Walloon Region.

Contribution of Multitel

• Participation to the definition of the needs and feasibility studies.
• Participation to the development of the micro-machining set-up.
• Participation to the micromachining and functionalization laser process studies on injection molds.
• Active contribution to the elaboration of the exploitation plan by an internal evaluation of potential commercial impacts induced by the project Microlab.

Applications

Lab-on-chip devices, diagnostic kits…

Coordinator

• Lasea

Partners

• Coris BioConcept
• Femto Laser Services
• Citius Engineering
• Multitel
• Sirris
• Cenaero