Research Projects
Improving bioreactors for Life Science
Many processes in the production of biopharmaceuticals are still manual and therefore time-consuming. That is why the interest in a continuous process concept is very high. The goal is to improve bioreactors and extend the viability of the cells inside for longer periods of time, typically weeks. Fresh media is supplied at the same rate, spent media is removed from the bioreactor, and cells remain in the bioreactor even during media exchange.
Such systems already exist today, but currently only larger bioreactors are feasible. The goal of this project is to use microfluidic expertise to improve the performance of bioreactors. For this, we partnered up with a major player in the biotech industry in an international funding project.
Nebulization of liquids
For almost 10 years; we have been supporting our customer Softhale N.V. in several significant development projects in the field of nebulization of liquids. Bartels Mikrotechnik supports the design of some parts in generic medical devices and the patent application. The goal is to develop a highly functional device for nebulization of liquid drugs.
The tasks from the Bartels team in this customer project are manifold. Already in the early-stage proof-of-concept, we performed measurements and orienting tests to see if the patent idea is functional. We find inexpensive, simple ways to implement the tests – and still achieve good results. At the same time, we work hand in hand with the customer on the fundamentals of the device and provide support during development.
A particular challenge in this project is the very small dimensions. The nozzles are glass structures that are just 8 mm3 small. We have figured out how to work with such small structures without a lot of rejects. This reduces overall costs and increases efficiency.
Nebulization of liquids in microfluidics
There are several technologies that can be used to nebulize fluids:
- Vibrating Mesh (to be seen in our Vibrating Mesh video)
- Vortex chamber nozzle
- Electrospray process
- Collision nozzles
Bartels Mikrotechnik has experience in all of these areas. This allows us to use our extensive knowledge to provide added value to our customers.
HO PRO 3D
Either fast or precise – both are not possible in the production of the finest polymer structures with lasers. Or is it?
The combination of stereolithography and multiphoton polymerization should make it possible: Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are developing a machine for high-precision, economical 3D assembly techniques that uses both methods.
On November 1, 2018, the project partners ILT Fraunhofer, Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH, Miltenyi Biotec and LightFab GmbH launched the project “High productivity and attention to detail in additive manufacturing through the combination of UV polymerization and multiphoton polymerization – HoPro-3D”, which is funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
MikroBo
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in industrialised countries today.
The most important indicator of the health status of this system is blood pressure. If it is too high, countermeasures are necessary to prevent possible damage to health.
Today, it is not possible to measure blood pressure continuously in the home environment. With today’s methods, 24-hour monitoring is a great burden for patients, as it consists of individual measurements at regular intervals, distributed over day and night.
The aim of the project is to develop a microsystem including the necessary sensor-actuator components for permanent, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in the ear.
Project participants:
- audifon GmbH & Co. KG, Kölleda
- Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH, Dortmund
- Bosch Sensortec GmbH, Reutlingen
- FZI Research Centre for Information Technology
- Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft, Stuttgart
- Heart and Diabetes Centre North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Oeynhausen
You can read a brief outline of the project here: MikroBo
SeQuLas
The aim of the SeQuLas project is to develop a novel process technology for the absorber-free laser welding of thermoplastics.
In this case, not only the segmentation of the seam contour should be done by means of a continuously updating temperature field during the welding process.
The irradiation order and parameters should also be adapted in order to ultimately realise a defined energy input.
SeQuLas intends to increase the flexibility and efficiency of industrial production in NRW.
Space
Space missions are extremely expensive high-tech projects where the technology has to ensure maximum reliability. If a component fails in space, tens of millions are lost, sometimes this is in the billions.
Also for this reason, the student small satellite group of the University of Stuttgart e.V. (KSat) has worked on a practice project with a maintenance-friendly Bartel pump, which operates without mechanical parts: the mp6.
This micro-pump will now make its way to the ISS where it will pump a ferrofluidic fluid to test a NASA experiment for an alternative rocket propulsion in weightlessness.
Read the article:
Bartels goes Orbit.
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