Dolomite Helps Drive Lab-On-A-Chip Revolution
In the world of scientific instrumentation, there is a big change happening. Just as complex electronics circuits have been scaled down to fit into tiny microchips, a similar transition is occurring in the world of chemistry.
This lab-on-a-chip technology is called Microfluidics. It is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with electronic and optical detection systems.
It is a technology that has the potential to massively impact such diverse areas as DNA testing, environmental control, fuel cell development and a broad range of biotech applications. UK company Dolomite is a leader in this field. So much so, that in 2005 they won funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative.
This £2m funding has allowed Dolomite to establish excellent microfabrication facilities with cleanrooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories. In addition to this, Dolomite has managed to attract top quality engineering and scientific staff with strong backgrounds across the broad range of disciplines required to successfully bring microfluidics applications to the market - including chemistry, biotechnology, control system development, electronics, physics and instrument design and supply.
“Microfluidics is certainly an exciting new technology with a huge potential," said Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director of Dolomite. "We see it impacting patient care systems, forensic science, drug and environmental testing equipment and any number of similar types of systems that need to control and measure liquids at a micro scale. Microfluidics is enabling this kind of system to be smaller, far more accurate and more simply manufactured."
The fabrication processes used to create a microfluidic device have some similarity to those used in the electronics industry. The channels through which the fluids flow and interact are etched into materials such as glass or polymers using similar photolithography processes. The patterned layers are then very accurately aligned and fused together and drilled to provide microscopic ports through which the chemicals or gases can enter and leave the device.
"Designing and manufacturing microfluidic devices employs a broad range of disciplines," said Gillian Davis. "At Dolomite, it's not just our experience and expertise in microfluidic device design and fabrication that puts us ahead of the competition, but also the fact that we have extensive experience in designing and developing microfluidic connectors, pumps and control systems. We also have complete instrument design and supply capabilities that enable us to provide the full range of services required to truly help customers realize their microfluidic objectives.”
Dolomite is fast becoming a global company with an office in the US and distributors throughout Asia. Its clients range from universities developing leading edge analytical equipment to manufacturers of chemical, life sciences and clinical diagnostic systems.
"In many ways, this is early days," said Gillian Davis. "Some of the dialogue we are having with future prospects tells us that this technology has huge potential in the commercial world and we are working hard to make sure that we are equipped to meet this demand."
About Dolomite
Dolomite is a world leader in Microfluidics, an emerging technology that is changing the future of instrument design. Microfluidics is a technology that enables small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective, and more powerful systems. Dolomite provides off the shelf solutions, custom designs, system integration and microfluidics training for instrument development teams. With a worldwide sales presence and a highly motivated and passionate team of engineers and scientists, Dolomite helps instrument manufacturers take their designs to the next level. www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
Contact:
Dolomite Contact: Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director
Tel: +44 1763 242491
e-mail: sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com
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Dolomite Launches The World's First Microfluidic Edge Connector
New microfluidic connector enables systems development and improved fluid flow.
Leading microfluidic development company Dolomite have announced the release of a new microfluidic connector that will enable engineers and scientists to interface to microfluidic chips, helping them develop and manufacture microfluidic based fluid control systems more easily. The initial design of the in-line connector has four ports and is engineered to connect easily and perform reliably.
"Microfluidic chips have had a big impact on instrument design and development," said Mark Gilligan, Managing Director. "They enable small scale fluid control and analysis, allowing manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. However, connecting and interfacing to these devices is a challenge in itself. We are confident that the new connectors that we are introducing to this market will be well received and will help reaffirm Dolomite's commitment to developing products that enable engineers and scientists to apply microfluidic technology to their systems and products."
The new Dolomite microfluidic connector removes the need for expensive drilled holes in the chip by incorporating the holes into the actual chip fabrication process. Using this connector fluid flow is improved, as the fluid paths are straight-in rather than perpendicular, providing a smooth linear pathway. The standard version of the new connector is a fluidic bus with four fluid input/output ports on a single integrated connector to make chip connection and disconnection simple and fast.
"This device will benefit a broad range of industries," said Mark Gilligan. "Microfluidic devices are now being used in patient care systems, DNA testing, air pollution monitoring, fuel cell technology and drug development. It's very much an emerging technology with a huge potential and we already have a lot of interest in this device and the benefits that it will bring."
Dolomite has established itself as a leader in the field of microfluidics, working in chip design, chip fabrication, fluidic interfaces, flow cells, pumps, valves, detectors and integrated systems. They are also equipped with rapid prototyping facilities for the design and fabrication of glass and quartz devices and can provide low or medium volume production in glass or quartz and high volume production in polymers.
Microfluidic devices are developed using microfabrication techniques capable of creating microchannels and complex structures in the glass. The main fabrication processes are photolithography, wet etching of microchannel structures, micro-drilling of fluid ports, thermal bonding and surface modification. Dolomite are also able to undertake traditional precision glass processing techniques such as mechanical and optical polishing, grinding, cutting and dicing allowing them to extend the range of geometries that are possible.
About Dolomite
Established in 2005 as the world's first microfluidic application centre, Dolomite is focussed on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. With an in-depth understanding of chemistry and the life sciences, expertise in microfabrication and microfluidics, together with instrument design and development capabilities, Dolomite is enabling some of the world's top providers in fields as diverse as environmental monitoring, drug discovery and forensic science to deliver microfluidic systems to the market place. To find out more about Dolomite, please visit – www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
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Dolomite Appoints Dr Gillian Davis to Strategic Commercial Role
Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidic design and fabrication, has appointed Dr Gillian Davis to the position of Commercial Director. In this leading strategic role, Gillian will be instrumental in securing new business opportunities and managing customer relations for Dolomite's microfluidic design and fabrication services.
‘This is an exciting development for us,' said Mark Gilligan, Managing Director of Dolomite. ‘It reflects the increasing level of interest we are experiencing around the world from instrument manufacturers interested in working with us to bring their microfluidic concepts to market.'
Microfluidics, also known as ‘lab on a chip', is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with, for example, electronic and optical detection systems.
‘I am delighted to welcome Gillian on board. Gillian brings to the company, not only a strong background in business development, but also extensive experience of working at the cutting edge of a diverse range of technical disciplines. Having people on board with a broad technical background is particularly important to a company, such as Dolomite, which offers a service with an extremely wide application base that includes environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, nuclear fuels reprocessing and forensic science.'
In 2005 Dolomite won funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative. This £2m funding enabled Dolomite to establish an excellent microfabrication facility that includes clean rooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories. In addition to this, Dolomite has managed to attract top quality engineering and scientific staff with strong backgrounds across the broad range of disciplines required for success in bringing microfluidics applications to the market, including; chemistry, biotechnology, control system development, electronics, physics and instrument design and supply.
“I am very pleased to be taking on this role,” said Gillian. “Microfluidics is very much an emerging technology that will impact a broad range of industries. Instrument designers around the world are starting to adopt microfluidics and Dolomite is very much at the forefront of this science. I am confident that I can help Dolomite turn their expertise and market position into further commercial success.”
About Dolomite
Established in 2005 as the world's first microfluidic application centre, Dolomite is focussed on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. With an in-depth understanding of chemisty and the life sciences, expertise in microfabrication and microfluidics, together with instrument design and development capabilities, Dolomite is enabling some of the world's top providers in fields as diverse as environmental monitoring, drug discovery and forensic science to deliver microfluidic based systems to the market place. To find out more about Dolomite, please visit – www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
Contact:
Dolomite Contact: Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director
Tel: +44 1763 242491
e-mail: sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com
Dolomite Appoints Craig Ranger to Develop US Market for Microfluidics
Royston, UK – 21st November 2007, Dolomite, a world leader in the emerging technology of microfluidics, has appointed Craig Ranger to the position of U.S. Business Development Manager. In this leading strategic role, Craig will be heading the effort to establish development partnerships and managing customer relations for Dolomite's microfluidic capabilities and services in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
Microfluidics, sometimes called lab-on-a-chip, is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with electronic and optical detection systems.
"This is an exciting development for us," said Gillian Davis, Commercial Director of Dolomite. "Craig's appointment reflects the increasing level of interest we are experiencing around the world from customers interested in working with us to bring their microfluidic concepts to market. I am delighted to welcome Craig on board as he brings to the company not only a strong background in business development, but also extensive experience in the development and commercialization of micro-scale continuous flow instrumentation, primarily for automated chemical analysis. Having people on board with a broad technical background is particularly important to a company, such as Dolomite, which offers a service with an extremely wide application base, including environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, nuclear fuels reprocessing and forensic science."
Craig Rainger has over 30 years of experience in automated chemistry. As founder and CEO of Lachat Instruments, he led the efforts in development, marketing and sales of three generations of innovative continuous flow systems. As president of Seal Analytical, he introduced automated discrete analysis technology to the U.S. market. Most recently, Craig led the effort at a major environmental instrument company in the development of a microfluidics based chemistry analyzer.
"I first experienced Dolomite as a customer and had such a positive professional experience with their team, that I asked to join it,” said Craig Rainger. “Having searched around the world for a partner in microfluidics that was able to take a total systems design perspective in order to deliver a fully functional product, I truly appreciate Dolomite's comprehensive capabilities and consultative product development process. What I came to appreciate is that developing a product with the many advantages of microfluidics is not just about chip design, but must incorporate attention to the entire continuum of sample processing from pre-treatment, introduction, reaction, detection and fraction collection."
Dolomite is able to offer a complete service to customers from problem conceptualization and feasibility testing through to full instrument design and development. This one-stop-shop model sets Dolomite apart from most other micro-fabrication firms. Dolomite is able to offer microfabrication and microfluidics together with instrument design and development capabilities.
Craig's appointment is just the beginning of Dolomite's efforts to meet the demand from U.S. and Canadian customers for a partner they can work with to bring their concepts for microfluidic products to market. Dolomite plans to attend several U.S. conferences over the next year including, LabAutomation 2008 in Palm Springs and PittCon 2008 in New Orleans and to hold webinars to provide education on the power of microfluidics to achieve performance levels never before possible.
Dolomite will be exhibiting at the UK NanoForum on the 27 th November 2007. This is a one-day conference and exhibition that will bring over 100 senior international delegates from more than 20 countries together with the best of the UK's nanotechnology community. It is to be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. The event includes keynote addresses, themed workshops, an exhibition showcasing more than 60 UK nanotechnology companies/universities and extensive partnering opportunities.With a focus on trade, investment and collaborations, UK NanoForum 2007 will provide a networking forum for industry, academia, venture capitalists, technology purchasers and those seeking to develop joint ventures. www.uknanoforum2007.com
About Dolomite
Established in 2005, Dolomite is focused on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. With an in-depth understanding of chemistry and the life sciences, expertise in microfabrication and microfluidics, together with instrument design and development capabilities, Dolomite is enabling some of the world's top providers in fields as diverse as environmental monitoring, drug discovery and forensic science to deliver microfluidic systems to the market place. To find out more about Dolomite, please visit - www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
Contact:
Dolomite Contact: Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director
Tel: +44 1763 242491
e-mail: sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com
Dolomite Micro Mixer Has Potential to Accelerate Drug Discovery (Dec 2007)
Cambridge microfluidics company Dolomite is developing technology that allows the rapid mixing and analysis of chemicals, helping instrument manufacturers worldwide to create faster systems that will accelerate drug discovery and enable more effective point of care equipment.
At the root of this technology is an emerging science called ‘microfluidics', also called 'lab-on-a-chip'. Microfluidics is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with, for example, electronic and optical detection systems.
(Micro Mixer with phenolphthalien and base solution mixing in 5 milliseconds)
An example of this technology is Dolomite's Micro Mixer chip. It is a glass device that enables the rapid and realtime analysis of fluids. Originally developed for dilution of samples prior to UV analysis, it has also been supplied to customers for nanoparticle synthesis where rapid mixing is important to achieve uniform size or surface properties of the nanoparticles.
"The Micro Mixer is a very good example of what we have been achieving," said Mark Gilligan, Managing Director of Dolomite. "Microfluidic chips, such as this, enable the mixing of chemicals in only a few milliseconds and greatly reduces sample volumes and reagent usage. The ability for companies to run reaction and analysis processes faster is helping accelerate drug discovery and will also play a important role in the development of future diagnostic equipment."
Dolomite is now considered to be a worldwide leader in Microfluidics. So much so, that in 2005 they won funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative. This £2m funding, allowed Dolomite to establish excellent microfabrication facilities, with cleanrooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories.
Key to the development of the Micro Mixer is the use of microfabrication techniques capable of creating microchannels and complex structures in the glass. The main fabrication processes are photolithography, wet etching of microchannel structures, micro-drilling of fluid ports, thermal bonding and surface modification. Dolomite's capability to undertake traditional precision glass processing techniques such as mechanical and optical polishing, grinding, cutting and dicing also enables them to extend the range of geometries that are possible.
"The challenges in the chip's manufacture include etching to two different channel depths," said Phil Homewood, Engineering Manager. "Also the alignment of features during chip assembly to micron accuracy is a complex and demanding process. Further to this, challenges at the design stage include modelling heat transfer in the chip to ensure that the temperatures of the input streams are correct prior to mixing, and also the modelling of the frictional pressure drop across the chip to meet customer flow rate requirements."
About Dolomite
Established in 2005 as the world's first microfluidic application centre, Dolomite is focussed on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. With an in-depth understanding of chemistry and the life sciences, expertise in microfabrication and microfluidics, together with instrument design and development capabilities, Dolomite is enabling some of the world's top providers in fields as diverse as environmental monitoring, drug discovery and forensic science to deliver microfluidic systems to the market place. To find out more about Dolomite, please visit – www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
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Dolomite Helps Drive Lab-On-A-Chip Revolution
In the world of scientific instrumentation, there is a big change happening. Just as complex electronics circuits have been scaled down to fit into tiny microchips, a similar transition is occurring in the world of chemistry.
This lab-on-a-chip technology is called Microfluidics. It is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with electronic and optical detection systems.
It is a technology that has the potential to massively impact such diverse areas as DNA testing, environmental control, fuel cell development and a broad range of biotech applications. UK company Dolomite is a leader in this field. So much so, that in 2005 they won funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) Manufacturing Initiative.
This £2m funding has allowed Dolomite to establish excellent microfabrication facilities with cleanrooms, precision glass processing facilities and applications laboratories. In addition to this, Dolomite has managed to attract top quality engineering and scientific staff with strong backgrounds across the broad range of disciplines required to successfully bring microfluidics applications to the market - including chemistry, biotechnology, control system development, electronics, physics and instrument design and supply.
“Microfluidics is certainly an exciting new technology with a huge potential," said Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director of Dolomite. "We see it impacting patient care systems, forensic science, drug and environmental testing equipment and any number of similar types of systems that need to control and measure liquids at a micro scale. Microfluidics is enabling this kind of system to be smaller, far more accurate and more simply manufactured."
The fabrication processes used to create a microfluidic device have some similarity to those used in the electronics industry. The channels through which the fluids flow and interact are etched into materials such as glass or polymers using similar photolithography processes. The patterned layers are then very accurately aligned and fused together and drilled to provide microscopic ports through which the chemicals or gases can enter and leave the device.
"Designing and manufacturing microfluidic devices employs a broad range of disciplines," said Gillian Davis. "At Dolomite, it's not just our experience and expertise in microfluidic device design and fabrication that puts us ahead of the competition, but also the fact that we have extensive experience in designing and developing microfluidic connectors, pumps and control systems. We also have complete instrument design and supply capabilities that enable us to provide the full range of services required to truly help customers realize their microfluidic objectives.”
Dolomite is fast becoming a global company with an office in the US and distributors throughout Asia. Its clients range from universities developing leading edge analytical equipment to manufacturers of chemical, life sciences and clinical diagnostic systems.
"In many ways, this is early days," said Gillian Davis. "Some of the dialogue we are having with future prospects tells us that this technology has huge potential in the commercial world and we are working hard to make sure that we are equipped to meet this demand."
About Dolomite
Dolomite is a world leader in Microfluidics, an emerging technology that is changing the future of instrument design. Microfluidics is a technology that enables small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective, and more powerful systems. Dolomite provides off the shelf solutions, custom designs, system integration and microfluidics training for instrument development teams. With a worldwide sales presence and a highly motivated and passionate team of engineers and scientists, Dolomite helps instrument manufacturers take their designs to the next level. www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
Contact:
Dolomite Contact: Dr Gillian Davis, Commercial Director
Tel: +44 1763 242491
e-mail: sales@dolomite-microfluidics.com
back to top>>
Dolomite Agrees Distribution for Microfluidic Technology in Singapore
Dolomite, a world leader in microfluidics, has appointed Insta BioAnalytik Pte Ltd in Singapore as a distributor for their microfluidic services and capabilities. Insta BioAnalytik will work with local clients helping secure new business opportunities and manage customer relations for Dolomite in the Singaporean region.
‘This is an exciting development for us,' said Gillian Davis, Commercial Director of Dolomite. ‘This appointment reflects the increasing level of interest that we are experiencing around the world from customers interested in working with us to help develop a whole new generation of instruments based on microfluidic technology. Appointing a technical company as experienced and capable as Insta BioAnalytik will be key to helping secure good quality opportunities and managing customer relations in their territory.”
Microfluidics, also known as ‘lab on a chip', is an exciting new field of science and engineering that enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, more cost-effective and more powerful systems. With lab-on-a-chip technology, entire complex chemical management and analysis systems are created in a microfluidic chip and interfaced with, for example, electronic and optical detection systems.
‘We aim to introduce the latest technologies to the scientific community in Singapore', said Judy Lim, Managing Director of Insta BioAnalytik. ‘Forming this partnership with Dolomite, a market leader in microfluidic technologies, has allowed us to become an active participant in advancing microfluidic development.'
An example of this technology is Dolomite's Micro Mixer chip. It is a glass device that enables the rapid and realtime analysis of fluids. Originally developed for dilution of samples prior to UV analysis, it has also been supplied to customers for nanoparticle synthesis where rapid mixing is important to achieve uniform size or surface properties of the nanoparticles.
Key to the development of the Micro Mixer is the use of microfabrication techniques capable of creating microchannels and complex structures in the glass. The main fabrication processes are photolithography, wet etching of microchannel structures, micro-drilling of fluid ports, thermal bonding and surface modification. Dolomite's capability to undertake traditional precision glass processing techniques such as mechanical and optical polishing, grinding, cutting and dicing also enables them to extend the range of geometries that are possible.
Being able to provide local, technically competent, support to their customers is particularly important to a company, such as Dolomite, whose success lies in working closely with customers from problem conceptualisation and feasibility testing through to full instrument design and development.
About Dolomite
Established in 2005 as the world's first microfluidic application centre, Dolomite is focussed on working with customers to turn their concepts for microfluidic applications into reality. With an in-depth understanding of chemisty and the life sciences, expertise in microfabrication and microfluidics, together with instrument design and development capabilities, Dolomite is enabling some of the world's top providers in fields as diverse as environmental monitoring, drug discovery and forensic science to deliver microfluidic systems to the market place. To find out more about Dolomite, please visit – www.dolomite-microfluidics.com .
About Insta BioAnalytik Pte Ltd
Insta BioAnalytik Pte Ltd was set up in Year 2000 as a sales and marketing office, offering laboratory instrumentations, reagents and services for the scientific and medical communities in Singapore. Partnering with leading manufacturers, they offer solutions that advance research timely and cost-effectively. To find out more about Insta BioAnalytik, please visit www.instabioanalytik.com .
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