Micronit is currently participating in four joint research projects, funded by the European Union or the Dutch government.

Neuroprobes
Neuroprobes is a European FP6 project aiming at developing a system platform for better understanding of the human brain, and for the treatment of the associated diseases. The proposed work will enable a new integrated tool that combines multiple functions to allow electrical recording and stimulation as well as chemical sensing and stimulation.


Within the scope of this project, Micronit is working on the development of glass microneedles with microfluidic channels for drug dispensing and electrode arrays for neural signal recording. The first prototypes were manufactured consisting of arrays with 10 glass needles with a length of 4 mm and 9 mm (175 µm thick). The second generation will also be equipped with integrated microfluidic channels and/or electrode arrays on the surface of the needles.

The Neuroprobes project is supported by the European Union within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The other partners in the project are: Interuniversity MicroElectronics Center, Institut für Mikrosystemtechnik, HGS-IMIT, Mälardalen University, Neuchâtel University - IMT, Leuven University, University of Cambridge, Parma University, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Collège de France, University Miguel Hernández de Elche, Philips and Cochlear Technology Centre.
www.neuroprobes.org

COCHISE
COCHISE (Cell-on-chip biosensor for detection of cell-to-cell interactions) is an integrated project, under the 6th European Framework Programme for Research and Technological development. Within the project a novel class of biosensors is developed that is used to detect single cell-to-cell interactions in order to provide a cost effective tool for monitoring and treatment of cancer.

The main activity of Micronit is the development of the biosensor. This sensor consists of an array of thousands of holes with three vertically spaced electrode pairs emerging in each hole. Cells are dispensed in the holes and dielectrophertic forces are used to trap and align the cells while impedance spectroscopy is used to monitor cell-to-cell interaction. Micronit also manufactured the cell dispenser head (developed by CEA Grenoble, Laboratoire Biopuces) that is used to dispense a single cell in each individual well of the biosensor.

The COCHISE project is supported by the European Union within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The other partners in the project are: University of Bologna, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung, Universita degli Studi di Ferrara, Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology, Aziende Chimiche Riunite Angelini Francesco, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique and MindSeeds Laboratories.
http://cochise.arces.unibo.it

INFLUS
INFLUS (Integrated Microfluidic Bench Technologies for Active Control of Unconventional Fluid by Functionalised Material Interface of Complex Geometry Microchannels) is an integrated project, under the 6th European Framework Programme for Research and Technological development. The main goal of this project is to develop new integrated microfluidic bench technologies, namely a facility of enabling techniques, protocols and devices specifically designed for the control of the flow of interface interacting fluids within microchannels, enabling the investigation of effects on the fluid motion when changes occur at the functional interface.

Micronit is involved in the production of all-glass and glass-polymer (e.g. PDMS) devices with microfluidic channels and nano-structured surfaces. The research carried out within the project will result in further optimization of the performance of, for example, electroosmotic micropumps, micromixers and microfluidic platforms.

The INFLUS IP project is supported by the European Union within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The other partners in the project are: D'Appolonia SpA, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per il Calcolo Avanzato, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia, University of Mons-Hainaut, Delft University of Technology, Fraunhofer, Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Microfluidic Chip Shop, Institute for Analytical Sciences, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, University of Oxford and University of Goettingen.
www.influs.eu  

MicroNED
The MicroNed programme aims to develop and disseminate knowledge in the field of Micro Systems Technology (MST) and (microelectromechanical systems) MEMS. Special attention will be given to the possible barriers for the application of MST in industry. The MicroNed programme pursues this by new challenging research, coordinating research and infrastructure, co-operation between private and non-private companies, dissemination of knowledge and coordination of training and education in the field of MST.

Within the smart microchannel technology cluster, Micronit is working on the development of a Micro Coriolis Flow Sensor. Although a great variety of flow sensing principles exist, the direct detection of mass-flow is the foremost advantage of Coriolis-flow meters compared to flow meters based on other principles. Specific manufacturing challenges include a vacuum packaged sensor with electrical feedthroughs.

The MicroNed programme is supported by the Dutch Government as part of the Decree on subsidies for investments in the knowledge infrastructure (Bisk). The other partners in the Micro Coriolis Flow Sensor workpackage are: Demcon, Bronkhorst High Tech, University of Twente and Lionix.  www.microned.nl