Micro & Nanofluidics - Technology and Applications

29 Oct 2012, at 13:30 - 17:00 in Mumbai, India

Description:

This course will provide a broad overview on all aspects of micro- and nanofluidic technology starting with the history over two decades of microfluidics and describing the various fabrication technologies for miniaturized devices in polymers, glass, silicon and metals. A main focus is the application of microfluidic components in biotechnology (e.g. separation techniques, PCR, Lab-on-a-Chip etc.) and a special microfluidic tool box suited for these applications.

Finally some hands-on tests with microfluidic devices applying the Microfluidic Toolbox concept will conclude the course.

Learning Outcomes:

This course will enable you to:

• Understand the basic physical and chemical principles of microfluidics
• Learn how to realize microfluidic components in different materials such as polymers, glass, silicon, metal or ceramics
• Identify the interesting microfluidic components enabling to run bio-analytical assays on chip
• Have an overview on existing microfluidic components – a microfluidic tool box for applications in life sciences
• Relive the history of microfluidics from its beginning in the late 80ies to now

Target Audience

This course will be of value for researchers from industry and academia, business developers, general managers with a need to learn about novel technologies, potential investors in microtechnology / microfluidics and anyone who is interested in the realization, application or commercialization of microfluidic components. 

Level of Course (optional)

Introductory to intermediate

Course Outline

• Microfluidics – The Subject
• Scaling Down – What it means
• Microfluidics – The Reasons
• Microfluidics – Theory
• History – One Decade of Microfluidics
• Realization of Microfluidic Components
• Microfluidic Devices
• Standardization

  • Formates
  • Fluidic Interfaces
• Microfluidic Tool Box

  • Application of Microfluidic Components in Life Sciences
• Take home messages
• Summary & Outlook

Instructor Biography

Claudia Gaertner, PhD, studied chemistry and biology at the university of Duesseldorf, Germany. She obtained her PhD in biochemistry and became involved with microtechnologies at the Institute of Microtechnology Mainz (IMM). In 1999 she took over the position of the director of the newly founded Application Center for Microtechnology Jena, Germany (amt) where she built up the technological infrastructure for the realization of micro components and established microfluidics as a research area. She was involved in the founding of the biotechnology start-up “x-zyme” (2001) and the microfluidic company “microfluidic ChipShop” (2002). In 2002 she was nominated for the German Founders Prize and decorated with the Thuringian award for the best business concept for microfluidic ChipShop. For microfluidic ChipShop she acquired 2003 Mildendo a microfluidic company that focuses on polymer microfabrication. In March 2006 Dr. Gaertner moved from the amt to microfluidic ChipShop where she was named CEO and also took over this duty for Mildendo. She leads a wide variety of research projects for the development of lab-on-a-chip systems for life science applications and respective novel fabrication technologies.

Length of the Course: Half day