RESEARCH IN SIMTECH

INTRODUCTION

The Smart Microfluidics (SMF) innovates in polymer microfluidics manufacturing to create value from emerging applications. SMF welcomes industry partners and industry-minded academia keen to explore opportunities with us in point-of-care and clinical diagnostics, bio-lab automation, pharmaceutical and life science research as well as food science. By tapping on a developed pool of technologies and harnessing SIMTech’s cross-cutting capabilities, SMF offers comprehensive solutions in microfluidics design and manufacturing.

RESEARCH THEMES

• Microfluidics Applications 
  SMF has the expertise in miniaturisation of fluid handling systems and precise control of small fluid volumes. Harnessing the potential of microfluidics technology, complex and labour-intensive laboratory procedures are able to be carried out automatically on a chip. Some of our research applications are listed below:
  
  • Point-of-Care and Clinical Diagnostics 
  • Bio-lab Automation with Lab on a Chip Tools
  • Pharmaceutical and Life Science Research
  • Food Science
     
• Microfluidics Chip Manufacturing Processes 
  SMF’s manufacturing capabilities span the complete microfluidics manufacturing process from structuring, bonding, metallisation, surface treatment to system integration. Our SIMTech Microfluidics Foundry houses a microfabrication line with robust processes to ensure unparalleled quality and value.

CORE COMPETENCIES

As a solution provider for microfluidics manufacturing, SMF offers:

• Design, prototyping and production services of microfluidic devices
• Design/Development and prototyping of microfluidic devices certified by ISO 13485 Quality Management System
• Development of microfluidic devices and systems for various applications including point-of-care diagnostics, bio-pharmaceutical, biomedical research, food and water testing

TECHNOLOGIES FOR LICENSING AND TRANSFER 

• Point-of-Care and Clinical Diagnostics
  • Point of Care Testing (POCT) System with fully enclosed chips for rapid diagnosis of life-critical bio-markers
  • Molecular Diagnosis System with integrated sample preparation, signal amplification and detection
    
    
• Bio-lab Automation with Lab on a Chip Tools
  • Automatic molecular profiling station
  • Circulating Tumour Cell (CTC) screening for rare cell detection
  • Automatic Microvesicle (Exosome) Enrichment system
    
    
• Pharmaceutical and Life Science Research
  • In-vitro skin testing using multi chamber microfluidic system
  • GMP & EUP certified micro-encapsulation system for bio-pharmaceuticals
• Food Science
  • GMP certified micro-encapsulation system for Probiotics protection & Taste masking
  • Hologram Spore Detection system for quarantine and quality control

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 

• Opening of the SIMTech Microfluidics Foundry (SMF) with a microfabrication line spanning the complete microfluidics manufacturing process
  
• Certified ISO13485 compliant in microfluidics design and development
  
• Successfully licensed our GMP & EUP certified droplet generator for micro-encapsulation system of bio-pharmaceuticals
  
• Launch of training courses for industry - “Understand the Microfluidics Manufacturing Processes”, “Lab-on-a-Chip” and “Microfluidics Fabrication”
  
• Successfully transferred our Lab-on-a-chip product for molecular diagnosis to industry
  
• Enhanced the capability of a local leading medical device contract manufacturer through transfer of key microfluidics manufacturing technologies

LISTING OF SOME MAJOR EQUIPMENT

• Microfluidics Applications
  • Industrial Microscopes (Olympus measuring microscope, Olympus stereo microscope)
  • Bioanalytical Equipment (Bio-Rad real-time PCR detection system, Thermo Fisher Scientific NanoDrop spectrophotometer, Bio-rad molecular imager)
  • Life Science Equipment (Biofrontier shaking incubator)
  • Electronics Equipment (Tektronic mixed signal oscilloscope, Agilent function generator)
    
    
• Microfluidics Chip Manufacturing Processes
  • Chip Prototyping Equipment (Universal Laser Systems laser engraving/cutting system, Specac thermal press)
    Mould Insert Fab Equipment (Photolithography, Technotrans plating system)
  • Structuring Equipment (Wittmann Battenfeld injection compression molding system, Hot embossing system)
  • Sealing Equipment (Thermal compression bonding system, Ultrasonic plastic welding system, Film laminating system, Solvent roller coating system, Laser bonding system)
  • Surface Modification Equipment (Novascan UV/Ozone surface treatment system)
  • Quality Control Equipment (Zeta 3D optical profiler, Optical warpage measurement system)