Funding of acousto-fluidic lab-on-a-chip device

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Funding project: Acoustophoresis bioparticle analysis in the LTCC lab-on-a-chip

Thuringian joint project “ApaLab” for the development of acoustophoresis-based bioparticle analysis in LTCC lab-on-a-chip devices

Project duration: May 2025 to May 2028

The aim:

The ApaLab research project focuses on the investigation of LTCC-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for the analysis of mixed bioparticle populations, with a particular emphasis on health-related analytical issues. The aim of the project is to implement a lab-on-a-chip concept for multidimensional analysis for biodiversity monitoring, bio and environmental technology, and health technologies. In dimension 1, the particles are separated and their frequency analyzed based on their acousto-fluidic properties (size, acoustic contrast, elasticity). Dimension 2 involves an optical image-based evaluation of the individual particles, and in dimension 3, the optical spectroscopic properties of each particle are measured and evaluated. The project aims to exploit the unique capabilities of LTCC technology to create complex three-dimensional functional structures for the generation and tuning of resonant ultrasonic fields in the chip, thereby enabling the integration of multiple acoustic sub-functions on a single chip. Another technological component is research into the hermetic joining of optical windows with LTCC ceramics. The subsequent industrial exploitation for fluidic and optical applications is based on the unique selling points achieved in terms of microfluidic functionality and reliability of the developed lab-on-a-chip systems. The results form the starting point for broad industrial value creation based on the functional models developed in the project and products derived from them for the fields of application of biotechnology, biodiversity monitoring, and medical diagnostics.

In this project, LCP Laser-Cut-Processing is responsible for developing laser structuring processes for LTCC green foils for the realization of fluidic structures in LTCC multilayers.

Project partners involved:

  • VIA electronic GmbH
  • Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. (Leibniz-IPHT)
  • ifw Jena - Günter-Köhler-Institut für Fügetechnik und Werkstoffprüfung GmbH
  • Mildendo Gesellschaft für mikrofluidische Systeme mbH
  • LCP Laser-Cut Processing GmbH

The project is funded by the Free State of Thuringia under number 2024 VFE 0126 and co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

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