Microfluidic device commercialization should benefit from consortium standards drive

Cambridge, England--Just as mobile electronics was enabled by standardized interconnects like USB and Bluetooth, general adoption of microfluidics will only be possible with an agreement on standardized interconnects between chips and systems according to the MF3 Microfluidics Consortium. Because the consortium feels that industrial and consumer use of microfluidic solutions in components and instruments is hampered by the lack of standardized interconnects, the consortium is driving standardization activities that will promote the commercial uptake of microfluidic devices. And because microfluidics is even more diverse than electronics, different applications will need different classes of interconnect.

The MF-3 Microfluidic Consortium (a group of companies including SonyDADC, Philips, ST-Microelectronics, Biocartis, Dolomite and Micronit) has divided the needed interconnect schemes into three groups:

1) Higher temperature/pressure interconnects for research, analytical and process instruments based on reusable chips.
2) Chip holders including microfluidic and electrical and/or optical interconnects for analytical and process instruments based on reusable chips.
3) Interconnects for disposable chips for health care and diagnostics.

At the consortium’s recent meeting in Milan a draft proposal for higher temperature/ pressure interconnects was accepted and is planned to be published shortly. Multinational and SME Members of the MF3 consortium have put forward suggestions for addressing a variety of applications for microfluidic interconnects. The MF3 consortium is now calling for further expressions of user requirements for microfluidic interconnects. These proposals will be discussed in workshops organized by the Consortium later in this year.

The MF3 Microfluidics Consortium brings together stakeholders from all parts of the value chain with a shared interest in growing the market for microfluidics enabled solutions to 'Grand Challenges' in healthcare, environment and beyond. One of its activities is to promote standards, platform solutions and interoperability. This collaborative approach will ultimately drive down costs to end users and drive up volumes. It helps its members to engage with key stakeholders such as regulators, patent offices, and procurement agencies as well as stimulating commercial opportunities. The consortium was launched in June 2008 and is open for further members world-wide.

SOURCE: MF3 Microfluidics Consortium; www.microfluidicsinfo.com