Nanotechnology

QX200, Bio-rad

The droplet PCR system can be used for the PCR-based, absolute quantification of microbial / viral or eukaryotic DNA and RNA and is particularly suited to the precise detection of low genome copy numbers.

The system's two hardware components are the droplet generator, which produces the droplets, and the droplet reader, which analyses the droplets following successful PCR. Amplification takes place in approx. 20,000 nanoliter-sized drops, meaning that any existing target DNA molecules are separated from each other and detected during the fluorescence-based selection process. In determining the endpoint, a positive or negative signal is measured and counted drop by drop. The system can use intercalating dyes and also probes (for Fam/Vic dyes) and is especially suited to the investigation of biomarkers, infectious diseases and gene expression.

Relevant parameters

• up to 96 reactions/run
• 20 µl reaction volume

Equipment site

Fraunhofer IZI, main building, 2nd floor, B2 laboratory

Person responsible for equipment / contact person

Dr. Natalia Sandetskaya
Fraunhofer IZI
Department of Diagnostics
MicroDiagnostics Unit

Phone +49 341 35536-9310

• Send an e-mail

Nano ZSP, Malvern Instruments

The Zetasizer Nano ZSP from Malvern combines three technologies in one device. It determines the size of particles and molecules within a range of 0.3 nm to 10 µm using dynamic light scattering, molecular weight from 980 Da using static light scattering, and the zeta potential of particle surfaces in high and/or low concentrations using electric mobility by means of laser doppler micro-electrophoresis. Many additional functions relate to the translational diffusion, electrophoretic mobility, viscosity and viscoelasticity of protein and polymer solutions as well as concentration determination.

Thanks to the integrated Peltier element, work and measurements can be carried out within a temperature range of 0–90 °C, for example tracing the formation of aggregates.

Furthermore, with its flow configuration, the device can optionally be attached to a size exclusion chromatography or field flow fractionation system and used to detect the size of proteins and/or nanoparticles.

Due to the precise measurement range of 0.3 nm to 10 µm, the new device is especially suited to characterizing recombinant proteins, micelles and nanoparticles.

Relevant parameters

• Size measurement range from 0.3 nm to 10 µm

Equipment site

Fraunhofer IZI, main building, 2nd floor, B2 laboratory

Person responsible for equipment / contact person

Susann Allelein
Fraunhofer IZI
Department of Diagnostics
MicroDiagnostics Unit

Phone +49 341 35536-9329

• Send an e-mail

sciFLEXARRAYER S3, Scienion AG

The sciFLEXARRAYER S3 is the perfect tool for automatically dispensing ultra-low volumes of liquid. It can be used for the precise application of a range of solutions (e.g. biological, organic or containing nanoparticles) on different surfaces. The sciFLEXARRAYER is a highly flexible device for simple fluid dispensing aimed at users from the fields of diagnostics, genomics, proteomics and other technical disciplines.

Inert glass capillaries combined with piezo technology facilitate extremely precise drops in the non-contact procedure. The Fraunhofer IZI is thus able to produce microarrays and also manufacture lateral-flow strips cost-effectively.

Relevant parameters

• No. of dispense capillaries: 1–8 (in any combination)
• Distance of dispense capillaries: 4.5 or 9 mm increments
• Precision: < 5 µm
• Typical pitch (spacing): 300 µm (scaleable)
• Dispense control: Integrated horizontal CCD camera
• Capacity source holders: 1 microtiter plate (96 or 384)
• sciDROP PICO
  • Dispense volume: 50–800 pl per drop
  • Capillary orifice: 50–100 µm
  • Capillary material: borosilicate glass
  • Typical spot size: 80–250 µm
• sciDROP NANO
  • Dispense volume: 30–200 nl per drop
  • Capillary orifice: 150/300 µm
  • Capillary material: stainless steel, corundum
  • Typical spot size: 250–2000 µm

Equipment site

Fraunhofer IZI, main building, 2nd floor, B2 laboratory

Person responsible for equipment / contact person

Andreas Kölsch
Fraunhofer IZI
Department of Diagnostics
MicroDiagnostics Unit

Phone +49 341 35536-9331

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EVG®520HE, EV Group

With the aim of offering nanotechnological procedures to partners from industry and research, innovative systems are being established for the production-relevant manufacture of nanostructured surfaces. The hot embossing system EVG®520HE from the company EVG allows us to emboss nanostructures in polymers or glass. This requires stampers to be modelled using a ready-made master structure which can, in turn, be used for embossing applications in substrates. In doing this, the master structure is depicted with extreme precision.

Nanostructured surfaces in particular present companies from the diagnostics, semiconductor and solar industries with attractive starting points for research and development projects. The embossed structures can be used in the fields of opto-electronics, electronics and biomedicine.

Relevant parameters

The hot embosser from EVG, one of the most mature systems worldwide, is semi-automated and has a process chamber which can hold wafers (or substrates) up to 8" in size. The materials can be embossed effectively with a contact force of up to 20 kN. In a second bonding process, the structures can be sealed – also using the embossing procedure.

Different substrates can be conceivably and reasonably used with this procedure:

• glass substrates that can be heated to ultra-high temperatures of up to 550°C;
• plastic substrates (e.g. PMMA, polycarbonate, COC or COP);
• polymer coatings, which are applied in liquid form using a spin coater and polymerize by means of UV-light irradiation or heat.

Equipment site

Fraunhofer IZI, second extension building, ground floor, prototyping laboratory

Person responsible for equipment / contact person

Dr. Dirk Kuhlmeier
Fraunhofer IZI
Department of Diagnostics
MicroDiagnostics Unit

Phone +49 341 35536-9312

• Send an e-mail