Advanced micro- and nano-fabrication of microfluidics for molecular detection

The recent pandemic has been one of the most challenging outbursts in the history, caused by infectious disease of coronavirus. The rapid development of detection technologies such as RT-PCR and RAT has played an important role in containing the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to develop reliable manufacturing technology that can be explored for future challenges.;;Microfluidics is a technology where we can manipulate small amounts of fluids in channels with dimensions of ten to hundreds of micrometres. MF chips are beneficial for biochemical and clinical applications. These microfluidics chips are typically fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithographic, inject moulding techniques. Also, 3D printing techniques were recently adapted to manufacture the chips. These microchannels enable fluid particles to move smoothly without mixing with the adjacent layers ie laminar flow. Microfluidic platforms can perform various biochemical reactions, such as rapid mixing, particle separation, etc, on a single miniaturise chip. The microfluidic chip has multiple functionalization for liquid control, air control, and a glass backup; centrifugal force.;;This Deakin-IITM project will extend the collaboration and explore the excellent advanced micro- and nanofabrication capacities available at the two institutions, aiming at developing new microfluidics for novel molecular detection. The micro and nanofabrication processes to be examined will include:;;- Laser machining: IITM has established a national research centre on laser technology and has most advanced laser machining facilities.;- Nanofabrication: Deakin can access the most advanced nanofabrication facilities at Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN). This will allow us to develop microfluidics of highest precision for molecular manipulation. Surface functionalisation will also be examined.;- 3D printing: This will be used for prototype development.;- Inject moulding: Deakin has an industry scale inject moulding machine that can make plastic microfluidics.;;The objectives of the project will be the development and examination of micro and nanofabrication processes for the fabrication of microfluidics to be used for molecular detection.