Plug-and-actuate multimodal addressability of microarrays

Overview

This solution introduces a reconfigurable modular platform that delivers on-demand, multimodal microfluidic capability directly within conventional 96-well microtiter plates. By coupling acoustic waves into individual wells, the platform enables selective activation of microfluidic functions—mixing, sample preconcentration, and nanolitre-scale dispensing or sampling—either in single wells or across multiple wells, sequentially or simultaneously. This versatility directly addresses a long-standing bottleneck in genomic, proteomic, and cellomic workflows where liquid handling remains reliant on robotic micropipetting, which is limited by sample size constraints, mechanical failure risks, and contamination issues.

The platform is designed as a plug-and-actuate accessory that works with existing laboratory formats and instruments, such as microplate readers. This compatibility minimizes disruption and avoids the significant capital expenditure and training typically required when adopting new infrastructure. It empowers researchers to enhance the functionality of their current microplate-based assays without replacing their established workflows, making it a practical upgrade for drug screening, diagnostics, and broader life science R&D.

Technical specifications

• Reconfigurable modular platform that couples acoustic waves to microfluidic operations
• Individual well addressability: single-well or multi-well activation, sequentially or simultaneously
• Supports multiple microfluidic modes: mixing, sample preconcentration, and nanolitre dispensing or sampling
• Compatible with standard 96-well plate formats and existing lab equipment (e.g., microplate readers)
• Modular electronics include printed circuit board (PCB) and control modules for precise operation
• Designed for high-throughput operation with parallel processing capabilities

The platform overcomes the single-operation limitation of alternative technologies by allowing multiple fluidic functions to be performed as needed, on demand, without physical contact or moving robotic parts. This reduces mechanical failure and contamination risk while opening new possibilities for automated and miniaturized assays.

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at the prototype development stage. Planned validation includes: testing and optimisation for partner-specific samples, assays, and operational parameters (e.g., accuracy, repeatability, tolerance) over four months; development and validation of PCB and control modules over four months; followed by platform integration and validation over four months. Thereafter, a 12-month product development phase will cover industrial design, prototyping, and production implementation to deliver an alpha prototype with a data package demonstrating performance against partner specifications. The system is therefore approaching readiness for pilot deployment and commercial co-development.