AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest applied research institute.

Within the AIT, the Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches for non-invasive and minimally invasive diagnostics. The focus spans from mass-fabricable and cost-effective biosensing systems for point-of-need applications to biomarker discovery, assay design, bioinformatics, and customized analysis. In the field of biosensor development, AIT addresses pivotal – firstly, how to bring a certain desired functionality to a sensor surface or microfluidic, and secondly, how to establish scalable fabrication processes for precise and reproducible modification of surfaces, such as electrodes in electrochemical sensors.

From left to right: Locally functionalized microneedle sensor for glucose and lactate measurement (H2020 project ELSAH 825549) / a point-of-need system for detection of breast cancer tumor DNA (FFG projects: Predict 870027, NanoPredict FO999899038) / optical quality control of screen-printed sensor sheets.

To meet the demand for precise and reproducible surface modification of sensors and microfluidics, AIT is equipped with state-of-the-art non-contact liquid handling systems such as the M2-Automation iONE-600 dispenser, known for its precision in position (±3 µm) and volume control (SD 3-5%). Its pico- and nanoliter dispensing units enable precise modification of target structures (dimensions of 100 µm up to mm-scale) with (bio)ink volumes ranging from 100 pL to mL. The dispenser facilitates modification of substrates up to A3 size under a controlled atmosphere, ensuring reproducibility (humidifier, temperature control, ionizer) and efficiency.

From left to right: M2-Automation iONE-600 dispenser / sensor sheet with 32 sensors, six working electrodes per sensor, 1µL of redox-active methylene blue graphene oxide composite dispensed with M2MD nanoliter dispenser / differential pulse voltammetry-based quality control of electrochemical sensor with six electrodes showing excellent reproducibility (H2020 project GreenSense 761000).

The creation of dispensing patterns for 2D and 3D substrates is facilitated by a DXF-file importer. Efficient processing of sensor and microfluidic foils is achieved through fast axes movement and fiducial reference marker recognition. Quality control is of paramount importance and AIT employs a range of methods (light microscopy, SEM, EDX, electrochemical testing) to ensure process integrity and accuracy.

To discover more about the benefits and possibilities that come from using our instrumentONE, click here.

AIT Molecular Diagnostics - Service Portfolio

AIT Molecular Diagnostics - Surface Modification of Sensors and Microfluidics Factsheet

To learn more about the AIT and their work, check out their website.