Panasonic and Institute of Microchemical Technology Co., Ltd. Jointly Develop Mass Production Technology for Microfluidic Devices by Glass Molding, a First in the Industry*1
6.11.2019 05:17:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) and Institute of Microchemical Technology Co., Ltd. (IMT) jointly developed a technology for mass production of microfluidic devices*2 using a glass molding. Compared to the conventional glass etching method, this technology realizes low cost (about 1/10) and highly accurate (about 10 times) mass production. These devices can be applied to sensing and analysis for medical, biological, environmental (water and air quality) applications, etc. The companies will start accepting prototype orders from FY2019, and are planning to start mass production from FY2020. Panasonic and IMT will present and exhibit this device at the 40th meeting of Society for Chemistry and Micro-Nano Systems (CHEMINAS 40th) held at Act City Hamamatsu in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan from November 19th to 21st.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191105006302/en/
Microfluidic device technology (Graphic: Business Wire)
[Effect]
Conventional glass microfluidic devices have not been widely used, because of high cost and poor precision. This development achieved mass production and cost reduction of glass microfluidic devices by combining IMT's microfluidic device design technology and Panasonic's glass molding technology. As a result, disposable use of glass microfluidic devices becomes possible. In addition, by realizing high precision, it is easy to incorporate the device as a part of equipment and systems.
[Application]
By taking advantage of the environmental and chemical resistance of glass microfluidic devices, it can be applied to environmental sensing, blood testing, and pharmaceutical equipment as disposable detection devices for analysis and testing in outdoor and harsh environments.
[Characteristic]
The newly developed microfluidic device has the following features.
1. Up to φ50mm size
2. More than 10,000 devices per month of production capacity
3. Manufacturing process with the shape precision of about 1μm
[Technology]
This development is realized by the following technologies.
(1) Design and interface technology of microfluidic device optimized for glass molding
(2) Microstructure mold processing technology to higher hardness material and microstructural glass molding technology to precisely transfer to glass
(3) Thermal bonding technology to join a flat glass plate and a plate with microstructures.
Notes:
*1: As of November 6, 2019, Panasonic survey
*2: A device that can perform various chemical processes (mixing, reaction, extraction, synthesis, detection) in a minute flow path with a small amount and high efficiency by flowing liquid through a groove with a width and depth of several hundreds of micrometers.
[Background]
General microfluidic device made of glass used in microfluidics technology [1] is mainly produced by etching techniques. After drawing the flow path pattern by photolithography, the glass flow path is formed by etching, and the cover glass with the machined introduction hole is bonded. Since the inception of this field, IMT has provided high-level products as a pioneer in the planning, design and manufacture of glass microfluidic devices. However, in addition to the skill required for manual manufacturing, the manufacturing process took several months. For this reason, the manufacturing time and cost per piece became a hurdle, and generalization and industrial mounting were not realized, and the use was limited mainly to basic research applications.
On the other hand, Panasonic has been developing and manufacturing glass molding technology [2] from the 1980s, that has contributed to the commercialization of the world's highest level of optical device. They are used in lenses for various optical devices, like digital still cameras.
By combining Panasonic's glass molding technology and IMT design technology, it became possible to develop microstructure mold machining technology, molding technology, and joining technology suitable for mass production of microfluidic devices using glass molding technology. The companies have succeeded in developing mass production technology for microfluidic devices. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost to about 1/10 compared to the conventional manufacturing method, and to supply glass microfluidic devices with improved precision 10 times or more in less than half the delivery time.
[Practical realization]
With the development of mass production technology for microfluidic devices [3] using this glass molding technology, glass microfluidic devices are widely used as disposable detection devices for analysis and testing in outdoor and harsh environments, and for disposable devices for blood testing equipment.
[Explanation of terms]
[1] Microfluidic device technology
This technology integrates chemical processes such as mixing, reaction, separation, extraction, synthesis, and detection in a flow channel of several tens to several hundreds of μm created on a substrate (microfluidic device) of several cm square. By freely integrating chemical processes that have been performed in laboratories and factories in the microspace of microfluidic devices, it becomes possible to use energy and space much more efficiently. It is expected to contribute greatly to the evolution of chemical technology in the future. This chemical process integration technology (microfluidic technology) in the micro space was established as a result of research and development of the Kitamori “Integrated Chemistry” project. The project was carried out at Kitamori Lab., Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, and Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (currently Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology).
[2] Glass molding technology (mold machining technology, mold protection coating technology, molding technology)
[3] Application examples of microfluidic devices using glass molding technology
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. The company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018, has expanded globally and now operates 582 subsidiaries and 87 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 8.003 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2019. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global.
About Institute of Microchemical Technology
IMT is a pioneer company of microchemical chip technology (microfluidics) and was founded in 2001 as a venture company of the University of Tokyo and Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (formerly Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology).
IMT manufactures and sells microchemical chips, their peripheral equipment and system devices.
Company Name: Institute of Microchemical Technology Co., Ltd (IMT)
Capital: 100M JPY
Foundation: May 1st, 2001
Address: A-19 AIRBIC, 7-7 Shinkawasaki, Saiwai, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 212-0032 Japan
TEL: +81-44-201-9889 FAX: +81-44-201-9890
HP: https://www.i-mt.co.jp/en/
Source: https://news.panasonic.com/global/press/data/2019/11/en191106-3/en191106-3.html
Related Links
Industrial Devices & Solutions - Panasonic
https://industrial.panasonic.com/ww
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191105006302/en/
Contact information
Panasonic
Innovation Strategy Office
Technology Public Relations Section
crdpress@ml.jp.panasonic.com
[Inquiries for prototypes]
Institute of Microchemical Technology Co., Ltd.
Email:info@i-mt.co.jp Tel: +81-44-201-9889
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Cegid and Silae Join Forces to Create a European Leader in AI-Driven Business Technology9.9.2026 13:32:00 EEST | Press release
Cegid, an AI-driven European leader in cloud business management software for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and accounting professionals, and Silae, France’s leading payroll and human resources platform, today announced their intention to merge. The combination will create a national technology champion and the leading European technology platform for businesses and their partners, helping them grow safely and efficiently with the support of a fully integrated and compliant suite covering their end-to-end financial and administrative needs. Between them, Cegid, following its recent acquisition of Shine, and Silae power the day-to-day accounting, tax, finance and payroll of 2 million end-customers and more than 15,000 chartered accountancy firms, while producing more than 13 million payslips across Europe every month. The planned transaction is expected to value the combined group at more than €10 billion in enterprise value, positioning it as one of France's largest softwar
Compass Pathways’ New 52-Week Topline Open-Label Data from Phase 3 COMP005 Trial Demonstrates Additional Benefit from Another COMP360 Dose in Part C Extending Durability Out to 1 Year9.9.2026 13:30:00 EEST | Press release
Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS), a biotechnology company dedicated to unlocking urgently needed new treatment options in mental health care, announced today the topline 52-week results (Part C) from its Phase 3 COMP005 trial of COMP360, a synthetic, proprietary formulation of psilocybin, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) which further support COMP360’s differentiated profile and potential for long lasting benefit. The open-label Part C data demonstrate four important findings: first, notable additional benefit was observed with an added reduction in MADRSscore leading to an average 13-point reduction from baseline at Week 52 and extended out to 1 year for participants who were randomized to the 25 mg arm and received an additional dosein Part C; second, for participants in the Placebo arm who received their first dose of COMP360 25 mg in Part C, these findings further reinforce that a single dose of 25 mg has the potential to produce rapid onset, meaningful effect and durabi
New ABB and BCG Report Highlights Growing Role of Direct Current Technologies in Future Power Systems9.9.2026 12:42:00 EEST | Press release
ABB today published a new report, The Strategic Case for Hybrid AC/DC Power: Shaping the Transition to the Next Electrical Architecture, developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report makes the case that direct current (DC) technology is moving from the periphery to the center of industrial, commercial, and digital infrastructure – and that the decisions made by business leaders and policymakers in the next two to three years will determine who shapes that transition and who inherits it. The future of power distribution is not an either-or choice between alternating current (AC) and direct current, but a hybrid system that combines the strengths of both technologies. While AC will remain the backbone of most transmission and regional distribution networks, DC is expected to play an increasingly important role within facilities where many major energy sources and loads already operate natively on direct current. The fastest-growing technologies, including sola
Chiesi Group Delivers Solid H1 2026 Performance, Combining Growth, Continued Investment in Innovation and Positive Economic Impact Across Communities9.9.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Chiesi Group ("Chiesi"), an international research-focused biopharmaceutical company and certified B Corp, today announced its financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 ("H1 2026"). Performance across therapeutic areas and regions Chiesi reported revenues of €1.89 billion, representing growth of +3.6% at constant exchange rates (CER) compared with H1 2025. These results do not include the impact of the recent acquisition of KalVista Pharmaceuticals. The Group's growth is supported by continued expansion of its global rare diseases area (+€45m; +9.9% @CER), and sustained performance in neonatology and specialty care therapeutic areas (+6.5% @CER). The respiratory health area remains broadly stable (-0.8% @CER) fueled by the strong growth in our inhaled triple therapy portfolio. Driven by the ongoing execution of its international growth strategy, Chiesi continued to expand its presence in key markets, with particularly strong momentum in the United States (+9.6% @CER), whi
Visa and World Bank Group Announce New Risk-Sharing Initiative to Expand Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion in Emerging Markets9.9.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group focused on the private sector, are partnering on an innovative risk-sharing initiative designed to help expand financial inclusion by increasing access to digital financial services in emerging markets. Under the agreement, IFC will share credit settlement risk for Visa transactions associated with enrolled financial institutions, enabling these institutions to connect more underbanked consumers and small businesses to digital payments. The facility is expected to support approximately $200 million in risk sharing over five years, with an initial focus on 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and reach approximately 50 financial institutions with below-investment grade ratings. Together, Visa and IFC aim to help financial institutions enable millions more people and small businesses to save, spend, borrow, grow, and participate more fully in t
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom