The theme of Microdevices for Chemical Analysis aims at engineering novel devices to measure chemical quantities, pushing boundaries in applications to explore unknown territory. Often, this relates to faster, or better spatially resolved measurements at lower concentrations in small volumes. Micro- and nanofabrication techniques are used to enhance electrochemical, optical or mass spectrometric readout. The ultimate goal is to create new, yet robust tools for routine use in the lab or point-of-care applications. Collaborations include various research groups specialized in analytical chemistry, microfabrication companies, as well as various research groups oriented towards applications in neurology and (photo)catalysis.
Current research projects:
- Hybrid push-pull perfusion probes with high temporal and spatial resolution to study the onset of a migraine and to unravel processes in the brain (VENI grant, Spinoza and Herseninstituut collaboration)
- Development of a droplet microreactor platform for ‘Single Catalyst Particle Diagnostics’ (MCEC gravity program)
- Development of surface enhanced FTIR/SERS spectroscopic readout in a microchip (MCEC gravity program)
- Novel route to fabrication of structured catalytically active micro-particles using spinodal decomposition (MCEC gravity program)
- Nanopatterned Electrode Surfaces for Proteomics, Drug Screening and Synthesis (TTW, collaboration Rainer Bischoff RUG)
- Micro-gut: Unravelling the functional dynamics between the human gut microbiome and intestinal inflammatory responses (NWO, collaboration Hans Bouwmeester Wageningen University)
- Multi-chamber platform for efficient stem cell differentiation (VESCEL ERC advanced Albert vd. Berg)
- Improving electrochemical degradation of waste products in dialysate for a wearable kidney (UMCU/MIRA collaboration, Karin Gerritsen UMCU)
- Development of Fluidic Circuit Boards and interconnects to bridge the gap from Lab to Fab (MFManufacturing EU project)
Knowledge utilisation activities:
- Locsense - Sensing and Sharing for biological research (founder: Susan Roelofs)
Previous research projects:
- Biological probing using microdroplets and mass-spectrometry (ERC proof-of-concept)
- Capacitive deionization on chip for small volume sample preparation
- PFS (polyferrocenylsilane) based coulometric and electrochemical biosensors (NWO, collaboration with MTP group)
- Electrochemistry - Mass Spectrometry for Drug Screening and Proteomics (STW OTP)