IEM Seminar Series: Advanced Silicon Fluidics for Life Science Applications
Abstract
Manipulating fluids at the micro- or nanometer scale allows for the precise handling and analysis of tiny volumes, leading to significant advancements in the field of Life science. At IMEC, we are exploring silicon-based fluidic devices, where micro- and nano-fluidic components can enable precise, reproducible and programable on-chip fluidic handling and analyte manipulation. The advanced silicon fluidics benefits from both lithographically-defined tiny features and active fluidic functions including electrical, mechnical and thermal-fluidics. Moreover, using silicon-based platforms, we can realize the integration of electronics, photonics and fluidics in one stack for high-complex and high-throughput systems, which bring disruptive innovations in healthcare. In this talk, the capability of silicon fluidics and its applications in healthcare will be illustrated with:
Chengxun Liu, Health Program Manager at IMEC, and Pieter Vlugter, researcher at IMEC and EPFL alumnus, will present an overview of these topics and invite discussion on potential collaborations with EPFL researchers and students.
Bio speakers
Chengxun Liu is currently a principal member of technical staff in the life science department at imec. As the team leader for precision fluidics, he drives the innovation of silicon and polymer fluidic component & integration for life science applications. Chengxun has a mixed education background of engineering and biology, with the belief that microtechnology enables innovative solutions to life science challenges. His research interest and experience coveres a broad range of biophysics and microfluidic technologies, such as cell isolation, molecular assays, electrokinetics and droplet fluidics. Since Chengxun joined imec he has been leading the development of several technologies such as single-cell electrical impedance spectroscopy, high-speed cell sorting, droplet sorting, electrical cell & biomolecule manipulations, etc.
Pieter Vlugter is a technical lead in MEMS technologies for fluidic applications within IMEC’s Fluid and MEMS Department. His work combines solid-state physics and precision mechanics to develop novel, integrable fluidic MEMS actuators. Pieter completed his PhD at EPFL’s GALATEA Laboratory in advanced manufacturing, precision mechanics, solid-state physics, and optical systems. His thesis was recognized with the EPFL Doctoral School’s biennial award. By bridging solid-state physics with medium to high manufacturing techniques, he aims to enable new capabilities in precision fluid handling for diagnostics and life-science platforms.
Manipulating fluids at the micro- or nanometer scale allows for the precise handling and analysis of tiny volumes, leading to significant advancements in the field of Life science. At IMEC, we are exploring silicon-based fluidic devices, where micro- and nano-fluidic components can enable precise, reproducible and programable on-chip fluidic handling and analyte manipulation. The advanced silicon fluidics benefits from both lithographically-defined tiny features and active fluidic functions including electrical, mechnical and thermal-fluidics. Moreover, using silicon-based platforms, we can realize the integration of electronics, photonics and fluidics in one stack for high-complex and high-throughput systems, which bring disruptive innovations in healthcare. In this talk, the capability of silicon fluidics and its applications in healthcare will be illustrated with:
- Electrochemical dissolvable one-time valves and compact re-closable mechanical valves.
- Digital microfluidics based on electrowetting and two-phase media.
- Electrokinetic sample handling, including electro-osmosis, dielectrophoresis, and electromigration for protein and submicron particle manipulation.
- High-frequency cell sorting with photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based single-cell detection.
- Nanopore sensing for single-protein characterization.
Chengxun Liu, Health Program Manager at IMEC, and Pieter Vlugter, researcher at IMEC and EPFL alumnus, will present an overview of these topics and invite discussion on potential collaborations with EPFL researchers and students.
Bio speakers
Chengxun Liu is currently a principal member of technical staff in the life science department at imec. As the team leader for precision fluidics, he drives the innovation of silicon and polymer fluidic component & integration for life science applications. Chengxun has a mixed education background of engineering and biology, with the belief that microtechnology enables innovative solutions to life science challenges. His research interest and experience coveres a broad range of biophysics and microfluidic technologies, such as cell isolation, molecular assays, electrokinetics and droplet fluidics. Since Chengxun joined imec he has been leading the development of several technologies such as single-cell electrical impedance spectroscopy, high-speed cell sorting, droplet sorting, electrical cell & biomolecule manipulations, etc.
Pieter Vlugter is a technical lead in MEMS technologies for fluidic applications within IMEC’s Fluid and MEMS Department. His work combines solid-state physics and precision mechanics to develop novel, integrable fluidic MEMS actuators. Pieter completed his PhD at EPFL’s GALATEA Laboratory in advanced manufacturing, precision mechanics, solid-state physics, and optical systems. His thesis was recognized with the EPFL Doctoral School’s biennial award. By bridging solid-state physics with medium to high manufacturing techniques, he aims to enable new capabilities in precision fluid handling for diagnostics and life-science platforms.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
Organizer
- Galatea Lab & IEM
Contact
- Yves Bellouard