Nano-Micro manufacturing Facility (NMMF) Lab-on-Chip Node

The Lab-on-Chip node is one of 5 nodes that form the DSI National Nano-Micro Manufacturing Facility. It is a facility that has been established as part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR). Each of the nodes has a different focus, and the CSIR NMMF Nodes concerns the development of Lab-on-Chip devices. In its clean-room the node has photo lithography capabilities and can produce PDMS microfluidic Lab-on-Chip devices. In addition these, devices can be taken to mass production by the rapid development of injection moulds and the in-house production of plastic LOC devices.

The node also encompasses other techniques, and micro-manufacturing processes that allow the development of prototype low-cost devices, sensors, and diagnostics. Included are paper-based lateral flow diagnostics capabilities, accurate 3D printing capabilities, laser cutting and laser joining (welding) of LOC devices.

The node prides itself by being able to assist users to develop devices from the design and functionality, to their fabrication. of the LOC device.

What is Lab-on-chip?

Lab-on-Chip (LOC) is concerned with integrating multiple laboratory functions onto a miniaturized platform, typically a microchip, to enable rapid and automated analysis of biological and chemical samples. The primary goal is to replicate complex laboratory processes and techniques on a compact scale, thereby reducing the need for large and expensive equipment, minimizing sample and reagent consumption, and enabling point-of-care testing.