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376-1351-00L 2 Credits MSC D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET
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Micro/Nanotechnology and Microfluidics for Biomedical Applications

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Emmanuel Delamarche
VVZ CR 4.0

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:30

Abstract

This course is an introduction to techniques in micro/nanotechnology and to microfluidics. It reviews how many familiar devices are built and can be used for research and biomedical applications. Transistors for DNA sequencing, beamers for patterning proteins, hard-disk technology for biosensing and microfluidics for point-of-care diagnostics are just a few examples of the covered topics.

Objective

The main objective of the course is to introduce micro/nanotechnology and microfluidics to students having any technical background. The course is multi-disciplinary and covers a broad range of techniques. For each lecture, a historical perspective is given to illustrate by whom and how the techniques were invented. The course should familiarize the students with the techniques used in micro/nanotechnology, cleanroom microfabrication, and show them how micro/nanotechnology pervades throughout life sciences. Microfluidics will be emphasized due to their increasing importance in research and for medical applications. The second objective is to have life sciences students less intimidated by micro/nanotechnology and make them able to link instruments and techniques to specific problems that they might have in their projects/studies. This will also help students getting access to the ETHZ/IBM Nanotech Center infrastructure if needed.

Content

Mostly formal lectures (2 × 45 min), with a 2 hour visit of the Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center (Rueschlikon) and introduction to cleanroom and micro/nanotechnology instruments, last 3 weeks would be dedicated to the presentation and evaluation of projects by students (2 to 3 students per team). For this, about 10 recent technologies are listed and each team picks a technology and makes a short report and presentation describing how it works, its strengths and weaknesses, and describes what problem it solves. In terms of technical content, the lectures will cover: - an overview of the microelectronic industry, Moore’s law, field-effect transistors, next-generation DNA sequencing - liquid crystal displays, organic light emitting diodes, electrophoretic displays, micromirrors and beamers, photopatterning of proteins and cells, optogenetics, and flexible displays and electronics - hard disk drives and the giant magnetoresistance effect, magnetic nanoparticles, photonics, magnetic sensing and optical biosensing - cleanroom techniques and instruments, from design to microfabrication of simple devices and microfluidics, examples of DNA microarrays - the principles of microfluidics, microfluidic functions and fabrication, from microfluidics for research to point-of-care diagnostics, and the (infamous) history of Theranos, as well as some discussions on diagnostics for COVID, R0, and (im)precision of diagnostic devices and why it matters - hobby electronics, making a device for 10$ and controlling it using a smartphone.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Teams of students (2-3 per team) select a topic from a list. The description of the topic during the lectures will help students frame their work and report. They write a report (3 - 5 pages) presenting the topic as well as a brief overview of the most advanced work done on this topic. They provide their opinion on how they think the topic might develop and what can limit this development. They present their work to the class and answer questions. The report, presentation, and questions/answers after the presentation are used to provide a grade. Each member of a team is expected to contribute to the report, presentation, and if possible to the Q&A session.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Micro/Nanotechnology and Microfluidics for Biomedical Applications
  • Wed 16:15-18:00 (ML H 41.1)
2 h weekly

Offered In