SPOC Laboratory - Biochip FabLab

University of Salzburg

Anif | Website

Open for Collaboration

Short Description

The SPOC Laboratory allows high-quality rapid prototyping of biochips and lab-on-chip systems for research purposes. Microfluidic technology enables miniaturized and defined processing of samples, thus opening up new opportunities in the life sciences and related industries, in particular because microfluidics technology currently incorporates existing analytical solutions in the areas of toxicology, environmental testing, food safety and cosmetics, as well as in the veterinary field and medical diagnostics.

The SPOC Lab is a rapid prototyping facility recently opened and furbished to design and build practical solutions for bioanalytics and medical diagnostics, as well as for chip manufacturing and on-site testing of prototypes with a particular focus on miniaturization, automation and sensor integration in order to significantly reduce development times for complex solutions for future research partners

Offers
(1) Construction and testing of exemplary biochip prototypes
(2) Technology matrix for prototyping in small numbers for academic and industrial R & D
(3) Academic research and development consulting activities for students and industry to provide through (1-3) Establish sustainable research collaborations with biomedical, pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Equipment
(a) Lithography: mask plotter (16250 dpi), spin coater, UV exposure, UV NIL
(b) Material Processing: Micro Mill, Laser Cutter, PDMS casting
(c) quality control: white light interferometry, light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy
(d) fluid test stands and application testing

Contact Person

Univ-Prof. Dr. Günter Lepperdinger

Research Services

CAD Design Mastering (photo mask plotting, soft lithopgraphy, dry resist lithography, milling)
PDMS casting
Bonding
Backend processing
Quality control
Bioanalytical and biological application testing

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

The SPOC FabLab offers a combination of manufacturing strategies that cover the important requirements: 3D printing / laser cutting for large structures, mask and maskless lithography for PDMS-based microfluidic chips, milling and hot embossing for plastic chip prototypes. In addition, methods for integrating active functions into chips such as valves, electrodes for sensors, optical waveguides and more besides a variety of protocols for adapting the surface properties of channels to specific requirements (hydrophobic / hydrophilic, biocompatible, ...) are offered. Appropriate protocols and workflows are established to a high standard to ensure stringent quality requirements. New matching technologies are constantly being integrated in order to maintain the high quality and timeliness of the offers. Care is taken to choose prototyping strategies that are compatible with later mass production.

The studio also offers design (CAD) services to help in the prototyping of chips. Due to the complicated IP situation in the field no 'own' chip designs are offered. In this way, it remains the responsibility of the partner to choose and use designs appropriately (research versus commercial) and, where appropriate, to license corresponding IP. The production of microfluidic devices is mainly offered for small series, where mass production is not profitable and therefore not possible. First and foremost, partner-side technologies and assays are to be integrated into prototype biochips and setups, and many questions will be so specific that such issues are not offered by large manufacturers in the necessary breadth and depth and may be built only in a university-academic environment and be tested.