# Manufacture and Assembly of Thermoplastic, Modular, Integrated Fluidic Systems

> **NIH NIH P41** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE · 2021 · $190,714

## Abstract

TITLE: Biotechnology Resource Center of BioModular Multi-scale Systems (CBM2) for Precision Medicine
TR&D 3: Manufacture and Assembly of Thermoplastic, Modular, Integrated Fluidic Systems
Abstract/Summary
One of the primary limitations in the application of liquid biopsy markers to a diverse set of clinical problems,
such as cancer, stroke, and drug-resistant bacterial infections, is the mass-limits they impose on the
associated molecular assays. Mass limits are particularly problematic when using benchtop instruments and
the associated sample handling. Most liquid biopsy-based molecular assays require multiple steps, each
with a complex workflow, and the added problem of transferring small quantities of targets, such as DNA,
RNA, or proteins, from one instrument to the next. Mixed-scale fluidic systems offer the potential to compress
the entire set of assays into a single, integrated platform reducing sample loss, operator expertise, and
simpler workflows. The goal of CBM2 is to develop technologies to make modular, integrated systems available
for routine clinical use, even for mass-limited samples. Technologies evolving from this project will reduce
the complexity of building and operating integrated and modular fluidic systems specifically designed to
analyze liquid biopsy markers.
In order to reduce the complexity of building such systems, the platforms should be conducive to high-scale
production, which points to the use of injection molded thermoplastics. The modular concept facilitates this
by using the same or similar modules for different assays, ability to use the modules as standalone units,
and a motherboard containing standardized interconnects to host the modules. The focus of TR&D 3 is to
develop technologies for manufacturing and assembly of injection molded motherboards and modules.
High thermal expansion metals will enable robust mixed-scale mold inserts and reduce demolding stresses. A
novel, scalable, repeatable and rapid method of thermally bonding cover plates to polymer substrates
containing fluid networks (pressure assisted, boiling point thermal fusion bonding (PABP TFB)) will be used
that delivers high process yield rates. Another challenge for building modular systems is to ensure that the
small quantities of target DNA, RNA, or proteins can pass reliably between modules and the motherboard
without loss and eliminating the need for O-rings or gaskets. To eliminate the need for gaskets, the
modular systems will use gasketless superhydrophobic fluid interconnects that combine precision
alignment of components to set gaps <10 µm, with superhydrophobic films on the surfaces around a fluid
passage. The seal is a function of capillary forces, has a predictable failure pressure, and can transport
biofluids, such as plasma and blood, and reagents from module to motherboard. The gasketless interconnect
is tolerant of misalignment, which occurs in normal manufacturing processes; efforts in the renewal application
will establish ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10172703
- **Project number:** 2P41EB020594-07A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL C. MURPHY
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $190,714
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-09-16 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10172703

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10172703, Manufacture and Assembly of Thermoplastic, Modular, Integrated Fluidic Systems (2P41EB020594-07A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10172703. Licensed CC0.

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