SIMTech launches Microfluidics Foundry
To develop the lab-on-a-chip industry in Singapore
The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) has established the SIMTech Microfluidics Foundry (SMF) to grow the microfluidics industry in the region.
SIMTech, a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), says SMF will offer a broad spectrum of capabilities for developing and manufacturing low-cost microfluidic devices for applications in healthcare, biomedical, pharmaceutical, energy, water quality monitoring and chemical processing.
SIMTech has also signed three research agreements with Rhodia Asia Pacific, CAMTech Management and Molbot to develop microfluidic tools for applications and product development in pharmaceuticals; for water quality monitoring and gene cloning respectively.
In addition, the organisation will jointly develop design and manufacturing technologies of microfluidic devices for life science companies in partnership with CAMTech Innovations (UK) and Clearbridge Biomedics.
It is estimated that the global microfluidics market will grow to US$5bn in 2016 (Yole Developpement 2011, Microfluidic Substrates Market and Processing Trends), driven by the advancement of biotechnology and microtechnology. Although Singapore does not currently have a microfluidic industry, Fluidigm and microfluidic start-ups such as CAMTech, Clearbridge Biomedics, JN Medsys, Molbot and Fluigen have set up operations in Singapore for medical/life science applications.
The SMF will address the challenges of microfluidic devices such as high manufacturing cost, lack of design and standards for large volume manufacturing, and difficulties with standardisation for mass production. It will provide design, simulation and prototyping to scalable technology development for mass production of polymer-based microfluidic devices.
Dr Lim Ser Yong, executive director of SIMTech said the SMF provides a low-risk environment for companies to place their investments for testing and implementing microfluidic technology solutions.
