Formation/Cours

MEMS technology found numerous application opportunities in a wide range of fields: automotive industry, telecommunication, optics, consumer electronics, military, etc. One particular field of application is biotechnology. BioMEMS has been applied in medical and health related technologies as Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and Micro Total Analysis Systems (µTAS). Integrating microfluidics with the mechanical and electrical capabilities of the MEMS technology is crucial to provide devices as miniaturized biosensors, point-of-care diagnostic devices, polymerize-chain-reaction chips and organs-on-a-chip. By the completion of this course, the students will be able to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying the LOC devices and to follow the latest developments on biological and clinical applications of MEMS and microfluidics.

Targetted skills: 31(311/313), 32(321/323), 51(511), 55(553), 146(1461), 61(611/612), 111(1111), 112(1121/1122), 1110(11103)

The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals in the field of microfluidics and their application on biological and clinical studies as LOC devices. At first, fundamental information on common biological targets for LOC devices will be covered. Then, mechanical and electrical characteristics of basic mechanisms of microfluidics will be introduced. After a hands-on laboratory practice to experience the concept of microfluidics in a bioMEMS laboratory, the course will continue with examples of LOC devices and their applications on biology and healthcare.