Abstract
The MiNaLab at SINTEF develops and manufactures microchips for a wide range of applications such as CO2 gas detection, optical filtering, blood pressure metering, measuring vibrations in motors, and identification of fish schools by micro-tags. Common for all chips is that their functioning depends on micrometer sized, three-dimensional structures such as beams, thin membranes or channels. In order to control the manufacturing processes, the production is performed in SINTEF’s clean room, where the number of dust particles is strictly controlled.A lab-on-a-chip is typically a card measuring a few centimeters across, with miniature channels and chambers. Nanoliter sized volumes of reagents flow and react in the channel networks. Commercially available labs-on-chips exist for some types of DNA analysis. The chip automates laboratory work and reduces the consumption of expensive reagents. In addition, heating and cooling and mixing will be speeded up in small fluid volumes. We will present examples on lab-on-a-chip systems for medical diagnostics and food analysis that are under development.