Microfluidics Technology

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Microfluidics is a set of technologies that deal with the movement of small amounts of fluid. The field has been developing for more than a decade, but most of that development, while intense, has been in isolated modules. Now scientists are beginning to put the pieces together into systems, setting the stage for new applications and rapid market growth.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains:

• A thorough evaluation of the technical and business environment surrounding the emerging microfluidic systems market
• Detailed reviews of the technologies, related sub-technologies and alternative technologies in light of the emerging needs of the relevant markets
• An examination of the current and potential applications of microfluidic technologies and an assessment of their importance in the context of emerging market paradigms
• The trends that will shape the future of microfluidics technologies and markets, and their impact
• Detailed company profiles as well as a patent analysis for new and emerging technologies.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Projecting the market for emerging technologies such as microfluidic technologies, whose commercial potential has not yet been proven, is a challenging task. This report uses a multi-phase approach to identify the technologies with the greatest commercial potential and quantify the market for these applications, as described below.

In the first phase of the analysis, we identified a "long list" of microfluidic technologies (including technologies that are still under development) and mapped them against potential applications and end-user industries, such as life sciences research, drug discovery, and medical diagnostics.

In the second phase, we eliminated those technologies that appear to have little likelihood of making it into commercial production in the next 5 years, through a literature review and statements by industry sources. The result of phase two was a "short list" of technologies and applications with the greatest near- to mid-term commercial potential.

The third phase focused on quantifying the potential market for each short-listed technology and application and identifying the main prerequisites for commercial success. Various methodologies and data sources were used to develop the market projections, including trend line projections, input-output analysis, and estimates of future demand from industry sources.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION
  • STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
  • REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
  • INTENDED AUDIENCE
  • SCOPE AND FORMAT
  • METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
  • AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS
  • RELATED BCC PUBLICATIONS
  • DISCLAIMER
• SUMMARY
  • Summary Table:
  • GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Summary Figure:
  • GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, 2005-2011 ($ MILLIONS)
• OVERVIEW
  • DEFINITION AND INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
  • MICROFLUIDIC COMPONENTS
    • TYPES OF MICROFLUIDIC COMPONENTS
      • Microchannels
      • Micropumps
        • Mechanical Micropumps
          • Piezoelectric Pumps
          • Pneumatic Pumps
          • Thermopneumatic Pumps
          • Electrostatic Pumps
          • Non-Mechanical Pumps
          • Capillary Pumps
          • Electrohydrodynamic Pumps
          • Electrokinetic Pumps
          • Magneto-Hydrodynamic Pumps
          • Phase Difference Pumps
        • Micronozzles
        • Microvalves
          • Passive Microvalves
          • Active Microvalves
        • Micromixers
          • Active Mixers
          • SAW Mixers
          • Magneto-Hydrodynamic Mixers
          • Passive Mixers
        • Microreactors
  • INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
  • MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS
  • MAJOR END-USER MARKETS
    • HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING (HTS) AND COMPOUND PROFILING
    • DIAGNOSTIC AND POINT-OF-CARE (POC)
    • INKJET PRINTING
    • CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
    • DRUG DELIVERY/MEDICAL
    • PROTEOMICS
    • DEFENSE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
  • INDUSTRY CONCEPTS
    • MICROFLUIDICS
    • MICROSCALE PHYSICS
    • DRUG DISCOVERY
    • LAB-ON-A-CHIP
    • HIGH-THROUGHPUT SCREENING
    • POC DIAGNOSTICS
    • MEMS
    • MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
    • MICROFABRICATION
      • MARKET ENVIRONMENT
  • Table 1 KEY MARKET PARAMETERS FOR MICROFLUIDICS
    • BASIC CONCEPTS IN MICROFLUIDICS
      • GENERAL
      • WHAT IS A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE?
      • IMPORTANCE OF MEMS
  • Table 2 WORLDWIDE MEMS MARKET INCLUDING MICROFLUIDICS, THROUGH 2010 ($ MILLIONS)
    • BASIC PRINCIPLES OF MICROFLUIDICS
      • Pressure Driven Flow
      • Electrokinetic Flow
      • Passive Fluid Control Technology
  • Figure 1 PASSIVE MICROFLUIDIC VALVE
    • Chemical Control
      • Hydrogels
      • Colloidal Microspheres
  • FINITE ELEMENT MODELING IN FLUID MECHANICS
    • The Utility of Modeling
    • Phase Phenomena
  • Table 3 DESIGN OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES-PHASE PHENOMENA CONSIDERATIONS
    • Heat Removal
    • Bimetallic Actuation
  • SURFACE CHEMISTRY
    • Substrate Factors
    • Surface Coatings
    • Hydrophilic Material
  • Figure 2 THE HYDROPHILIC EFFECT IN MICROFLUIDIC CONDUITS
    • Hydrophobic Material
  • Figure 3 THE HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT IN MICROFLUIDIC CONDUITS
    • Surface Finish
  • DIFFUSION BONDING
  • "MICROJAWS" FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING AND THERAPEUTICS
  • Table 4 DESIGN OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES-ACTUATION PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS
    • FABRICATION OF MICROFLUIDIC COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS
      • SENSORS
      • ACTUATORS
      • MICROSTRUCTURES
      • MICROSYSTEMS
        • Construction
      • MICROMACHINING
        • Photopolymerization Process
        • Photolithography
        • Thin Films
        • Wet Etching
        • Dry Etching
        • Surface Micromachining
        • Laser Micromachining
        • LIGA
        • HexSil
  • FEATURES OF MICROSYSTEMS
    • HYBRID MICROSYSTEMS
      • BioMEMs
    • CORIOLIS MASS FLOW TECHNOLOGY
    • MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
      • Silicon
      • PDMS and Silicone Elastomers
      • Polyimide
  • Table 5 FABRICATION TECHNIQUES FOR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
    • RELATED TECHNOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS
      • EDM
      • FLUIDIC DRIVING FORCE
    • GROWTH OBSTACLES
  • Table 6 COMPARISON OF GROWTH OBSTACLES FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES
    • GROWTH DRIVERS
  • Table 7 KEY GROWTH DRIVERS FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGY
    • ISSUES AFFECTING SALES OPPORTUNITIES
    • ACCOUNTING FOR FACTORS WHEN PROJECTING DATA
• MICROFLUIDIC MARKET BY END-USER SEGMENTS
  • OVERVIEW
  • Table 8 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Figure 4 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, 2005-2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING AND COMPOUND PROFILING
      • OVERVIEW
    • APPLICATIONS
      • DNA Analysis
      • Assays
      • Compound Libraries
      • Lab Automation
    • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 9 GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES IN HTS/COMPOUND SCREENING, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • MAJOR MANUFACTURERS AND MARKET SHARES
  • Table 10 HTS/COMPOUND PROFILING COMPANIES, GLOBAL MARKET SHARE, 2005 (%)
  • Figure 5 HTS/COMPOUND PROFILING COMPANIES, GLOBALMARKET SHARE, 2005 (%)
    • Tecan
    • Caliper Life Sciences
    • Nanogen
  • CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS/POC TESTING
    • OVERVIEW
      • Acceptance of Technology
    • APPLICATIONS
      • Animal Healthcare Applications
    • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 11 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS IN POC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • MAJOR MANUFACTURERS AND MARKET SHARES
  • Figure 6 MICROFLUIDICS-BASED POC DIAGNOSTIC TEST MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
    • Abaxis
    • Abbott Laboratories
    • Biosite Inc.
    • Gyros Microlabs AB
      • Handylab
    • IQ Micro Inc.
    • Maxwell Sensors
  • INKJET PRINTING
    • OVERVIEW
    • APPLICATIONS
      • Inkjet Printer Applications
      • New Applications of Inkjet Technology
        • Biochip Production
        • Flat Panel Displays
        • Printable Electronics
        • Other Applications
  • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 12 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC INKJET HEADS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Inkjet Printers
  • Table 13 MARKET FORECAST FOR DISPOSABLE INKJET CARTRIDGE SHIPMENTS, THROUGH 2011 (MILLION UNITS)
  • Table 14 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC INKJET PRINTER HEADS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Biochip Production Equipment
  • Table 15 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR BIOCHIP SHIPMENTS, THROUGH 2011 ($ BILLIONS)
  • Table 16 GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN BIOCHIP PRODUCTION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Flat Panel Display Fabrication
  • Table 17 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN FLAT PANEL DISPLAY PRODUCTION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Printable Organic Electronics
  • Table 18 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN PRODUCTION OF OTHER PRINTABLE ORGANIC ELECTRONICS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • MANUFACTURERS AND Market Shares
  • Figure 7 GLOBAL MICROFLUIDIC INKJET MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
    • Hewlett-Packard
    • Seiko Epson
    • Lexmark
    • Agilent Technologies
    • Litrex
• CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
  • OVERVIEW
  • APPLICATIONS
    • Chemical Analysis
      • Micro-Total Analysis Systems
    • Chemical Synthesis
  • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 19 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Chemical Analysis
  • Table 20 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROCHEMICAL SENSORS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • Chemical Synthesis
  • MANUFACTURERS
    • Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS GmbH
    • GTL Microsystems
    • Global Hydrogen, Inc.
  • DRUG DELIVERY/ MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
    • OVERVIEW
    • APPLICATIONS
    • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 21 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC DRUG PUMPS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • MANUFACTURERS AND MARKET SHARES
  • Figure 8 IMPLANTABLE DRUG PUMP MARKET SHARES, 2005 (PERCENT OF TOTAL SEGMENT SALES)
    • ISSYS
    • Debiotech
    • Therafuse
  • PROTEOMICS
    • OVERVIEW
    • APPLICATIONS
      • High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
        • Table-Top Nano-LC Systems
        • Chip-Based Systems
      • Microfluidic Chip-based Immunoassays
      • "Rotating Chip" Immunoassay
    • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 22 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC PROTEOMICS SYSTEMS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • MANUFACTURERS AND MARKET SHARES
  • Figure 9 MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR PROTEOMICS APPLICATIONS, MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
    • Ciphergen
    • Advion
    • Agilent
    • Dionex
    • Gyros
    • Invitrogen
    • Biacore
  • DEFENSE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
    • OVERVIEW
    • APPLICATIONS
    • MARKET FORECAST
  • Table 23 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN CBW SENSORS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • OTHER
      • DISPENSING
        • Applications
          • Positive-Displacement Pumps
          • Pin Arrays
          • Aerosol Systems
          • Market Forecast
  • Table 24 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC DISPENSING DEVICES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
    • NEW APPLICATIONS
      • Electronic Cooling
      • Fuel Cells
      • Food Quality Testing
• MICROFLUIDICS COMPANIES
  • Table 25 MICROFLUIDICS COMPANIES
  • Table 25 (CONTINUED)
  • Table 25 (CONTINUED)
  • Table 25 (CONTINUED)
    • AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES
    • BIOMICRO SYSTEMS
    • BIOTROVE (FORMERLY ADVANCED INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS)
    • CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES
      • LABCHIP SYSTEM
    • CEPHEID
      • SMART CYCLER
    • EKSIGENT TECHNOLOGIES
      • NANOLC
      • EKPUMP
  • Figure 10 PRINCIPLE OF EKPUMPTM
    • NANOFLOW
      • FLUIDIGM
      • GYROS MICROLABS
      • HEWLETT-PACKARD
      • INTELLIGENT MICRO PATTERNING, LLC
      • INTELLISENSE SOFTWARE
      • MICRALYNE, INC.
    • µTK
      • MICROCHIPS
      • MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS, INC.
      • MICRONICS
      • NANOGEN
      • NANOSTREAM
      • ORCHID CELLMARK
      • SRU BIOSYSTEMS
      • TECAN
• MICROFLUIDICS DEALS
  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CONSIDERATIONS
  • RECENT DEALS
  • Table 26 SELECTED MICROFLUIDICS-RELATED DEALS 1999-2006
  • Table 26 (CONTINUED)
  • Table 26 (CONTINUED)
  • Table 26 (CONTINUED)
    • NOTABLE DEALS BY YEAR
      • 1999
      • 2000
        • 2000 (Continued)
        • 2000 (Continued)
      • 2001
        • 2001 (Continued)
        • 2001 (Continued)
        • 2001 (Continued)
        • 2001 (Continued)
      • 2002
      • 2006
• PATENT LANDSCAPE (DEVELOPMENTS SINCE 1999)
  • INTRODUCTION
    • TRENDS BY COUNTRY
    • TRENDS BY ASSIGNEE
  • Figure 11 SHARES OF U.S. PATENTS BY ASSIGNEE JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006 (%)
  • Table 27 COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS AWARDED THREE OR MORE NANOMATERIAL-RELATED PATENTS, JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006
    • TRENDS BY EMPHASIS: PRODUCTION VERSUS APPLICATION
  • Figure 12 SHARES OF PATENTS ISSUED BY EMPHASIS, JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006 (%)
• OUTLOOK: TRENDS, CHALLENGES AND FORCES THAT ARE DRIVING THE INDUSTRY'S FUTURE
  • TECHNICAL CHALLENGES
    • TECHNICAL CHALLENGES (CONTINUED)
    • TECHNICAL CHALLENGES (CONTINUED)
  • FABRICATION METHODS
  • OBSTACLES
    • OBSTACLES (CONTINUED)
    • OBSTACLES (CONTINUED)
  • BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
  • MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
    • MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY (CONTINUED)
    • MICROFLUIDICS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY (CONTINUED)
  • CONCLUSION
• LIST OF TABLES
  • Summary Table:
  • GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 1 KEY MARKET PARAMETERS FOR MICROFLUIDICS
  • Table 2 WORLDWIDE MEMS MARKET INCLUDING MICROFLUIDICS, THROUGH 2010 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 3 DESIGN OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES-PHASE PHENOMENA CONSIDERATIONS
  • Table 4 DESIGN OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES-ACTUATION PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS
  • Table 5 FABRICATION TECHNIQUES FOR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
  • Table 6 COMPARISON OF GROWTH OBSTACLES FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES
  • Table 7 KEY GROWTH DRIVERS FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGY
  • Table 8 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 9 GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES IN HTS/COMPOUND SCREENING, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 10 HTS/COMPOUND PROFILING COMPANIES, GLOBAL MARKET SHARE, 2005 (%)
  • Table 11 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS IN POC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 12 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC INKJET HEADS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 13 MARKET FORECAST FOR DISPOSABLE INKJET CARTRIDGE SHIPMENTS, THROUGH 2011 (MILLION UNITS)
  • Table 14 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC INKJET PRINTER HEADS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 15 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR BIOCHIP SHIPMENTS, THROUGH 2011 ($ BILLIONS)
  • Table 16 GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN BIOCHIP PRODUCTION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 17 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN FLAT PANEL DISPLAY PRODUCTION, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 18 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN PRODUCTION OF OTHER PRINTABLE ORGANIC ELECTRONICS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 19 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 20 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROCHEMICAL SENSORS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 21 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC DRUG PUMPS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 22 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC PROTEOMICS SYSTEMS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 23 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC MEMS USED IN CBW SENSORS, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 24 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC DISPENSING DEVICES, THROUGH 2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Table 25 MICROFLUIDICS COMPANIES
  • Table 26 SELECTED MICROFLUIDICS-RELATED DEALS 1999-2006
  • Table 27 COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS AWARDED THREE OR MORE NANOMATERIAL-RELATED PATENTS, JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006
• LIST OF FIGURES
  • Summary Figure:
  • GLOBAL MARKET FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, 2005-2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Figure 1 PASSIVE MICROFLUIDIC VALVE
  • Figure 2 THE HYDROPHILIC EFFECT IN MICROFLUIDIC CONDUITS
  • Figure 3 THE HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT IN MICROFLUIDIC CONDUITS
  • Figure 4 GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR MICROFLUIDIC TECHNOLOGIES, 2005-2011 ($ MILLIONS)
  • Figure 5 HTS/COMPOUND PROFILING COMPANIES, GLOBALMARKET SHARE, 2005 (%)
  • Figure 6 MICROFLUIDICS-BASED POC DIAGNOSTIC TEST MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
  • Figure 7 GLOBAL MICROFLUIDIC INKJET MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
  • Figure 8 IMPLANTABLE DRUG PUMP MARKET SHARES, 2005 (PERCENT OF TOTAL SEGMENT SALES)
  • Figure 9 MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR PROTEOMICS APPLICATIONS, MARKET SHARES, 2005 (%)
  • Figure 10 PRINCIPLE OF EKPUMPTM
  • Figure 11 SHARES OF U.S. PATENTS BY ASSIGNEE JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006 (%)
  • Figure 12 SHARES OF PATENTS ISSUED BY EMPHASIS, JANUARY 1, 1999 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006 (%)