Miniaturization of the various components has long been no surprise. Suffice it to recall the first personal computers that occupied several rooms. But to create a laboratory for full chemical analysis size of only 100 microns (0.1 millimeter) – this is really something new. According to the magazine Science Daily, it is able to scientists from Brigham young University. Moreover, a device was printed on a specially created for this printer.
The unit is of class and is a microfluidic microchip, in fact is the real chemical laboratory. With the help of tiny tubules located inside the device, it is possible to conduct various analyses. For example, a blood test. As already mentioned, the size of the microchip is 100 microns and the cross section has a size of 18 to 20 microns. The establishment of a functional lab such a small size may be of great importance to diagnostic medicine. For example, you can enter them directly into the patient’s body for measuring parameters in different parts of the human body. Or include Microlaboratory in the composition of the miniature robots, extending their functionality.
To create a miniature chip, the scientists had to create their own unique 3D printer. It is based on the 385 nm led lamp. According to one of the authors of the development, Greg Nordin,
“Using a 385 nm led lamp, compared to 405 nm, is used to this, significantly increases the number of absorbers of ultraviolet radiation to create polymer ink. The advantages of 3D printing for the fabrication of microfluidic devices are well known, and method of digital stereolithographically light treatment is very promising from the point of view of cost, reducing it by several orders of magnitude. One chip on the printer of a new type can be printed in just 30 minutes, and do not require sterile conditions.”
Scientists have opened the “lab” of size 100 micrometers
Vladimir Kuznetsov