MFHS 2012

In October 2012, the first International Conference on Microfluidic Handling Systems (MFHS 2012) was organized in Enschede. Dr. Joost Lötters (of Bronkhorst and TST) was chair of this conference; he organized the event together with prof. Dr. Gerald Urban, professor at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) of the University of Freiburg. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for scientists and engineers from academia, research institutes and companies to discuss the latest results in the field of microfluidic handling systems. Approximately 100 visitors from 10 countries attended the conference, with a 50 / 50 share between academic and industrial participants.

Two important trends in microfluidic handling systems were discussed during the conference. First, since flows are becoming smaller, there is a need for accurate measurement and calibration facilities for very low flows at the national metrology institutes, universities and companies. Second, there is a need for complete functional systems rather than for the individual components. For example, micro dosage and dispensing systems, and a system for the accurate and controlled mixing of multi-phase flows.

Applications of microfluidic handling systems can for instance be found in analytical instrumentation, flow chemistry, food & beverage and life sciences. In the future, the scale of these types of research may become larger and potentially large target markets may arise, for example when spin-off companies start manufacturing and selling their products, systems or pilot plants.

Harmen Droogendijk of the Transducers Science and Technology group (TST) at Mesa+ Institute of the University of Twente received the Best Paper Award for his paper “Tunable Sensor Response By Voltage-Control In Biomimetic Hair Flow Sensors.” Remco Wiegerink of TST was in second place at the Best Poster Award for his poster “Micro Coriolis Mass Flow Sensor For Chemical MicroPropulsion Systems”.

www.mfhs2012.org

 

Statistics MFHS 2012

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