Innovation/Technology

Microtechnology forms the basis for the development of innovative technologies and smart systems that improve our daily lives and open up new possibilities for the future. Overall, miniaturization technologies are essential for digitization and smart applications as they offer space and resource efficiency, enable mobility and portability, create energy-efficient solutions, support connectivity and networking, and open up versatile application possibilities for a smart world.

Nowadays, there is a great need for highly efficient and accurate diagnostic systems. In order to save both time and money, you can transform passive diagnostic test into active microfluidic systems. These test are not only faster than their passive counterparts, but also more accurate and comprehensive.

Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) insertion to get access to the vascular system is a critical step in life-saving infusion therapy. PIVC application is one of the most common invasive procedures in medicine with PIVCs being sold billion times per year worldwide. Despite highest standards in modern medicine, conventional PIVCs often cause pain and fear with PIVC failure and complication rates being high. Children and vulnerable patients are particularly affected and technical innovation is urgently needed.

Established in 1957, the family owned Swiss company FISBA has become a leading global supplier of high precision micro optical components and imaging systems to the medical and industrial markets. FISBA's reputation for quality and performance has grown along with our range of distinctive optical product offerings. FISBA offers clients with custom requirements a development path that extends from R&D and design services to prototype and full production capabilities.

Microfluidic devices take multiple shapes. The applications are diverse, with diagnostics, life sciences, drug delivery, and manufacturing being the main ones. Players performing well in this market are mainly the big companies, not generally expert in microfluidics but IVD systems. Almost 91% of the market (in value) is held by 20 players. COVID-19 has boosted the global microfluidics market from US$9.9 billion in 2019 to US$18.1 billion in 2021 (a growth of 45%). This dynamic can be explained by the widespread adoption of point-of-care (POC) solutions and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.

Sustainability in applications and industries has been steadily increasing in importance over the last decade, and this growth will only accelerate in the foreseeable future. Sustainable packaging, locomotion, construction, manufacturing, and food, to name a few, is a value in itself for a large portion of consumers in any market segment. Salcon International has been working with TactoTek in Finland since 2015 to change the world of electronic production in a very disruptive way.

Microfluidics got very popular within the last decade and is utilized for a vast number of biological, medical, biophysical, biochemical or pharmaceutical applications. In this field the term “microreactor” is increasingly encountered. What is a microreactor, what is it good for? For instance, when talking about synthesis of nanomaterials, it can refer to the whole microfluidic device, that is the microfluidic chip.

Building a circular economy is one of the biggest aims to achieve sustainability and fight climate change. But what if cycles cannot be closed easily? Then it’s time to apply rougher measures and – literally – smash everything to pieces. Some material cycles can be closed relatively easily, and appropriate systems have been in place for years: Glass, steel, but also certain types of plastics as long as they are homogeneous. But what about the giant amounts of municipal waste containing mixed and often soiled plastics?

Climate change and the increasing shortage of raw materials require urgent adjustments to society‘s way of working and living. Micro- and nanotechnology and technologies based on this, such as microfluidics, photonics or sensor technology, offer enormous potential in the development of solutions to these global problems.

Lunch Break in front of the computer? The best time to look for new trends and innovations! At the Wearables Lunch Talk, IVAM serves up tidbits of news from start-ups, universities, research projects and development departments - all about wearable electronics and smart textiles. IVAM has been dealing with the topic of "wearables" and the challenges that manufacturers face in developing successful, market-ready products for several years. Initially as part of the MSTextiles Forum conference (launched in 2014), and later within the established Focus Group "Wearable Electronics", IVAM is intensifying the dialog between component manufacturers and users.