Meeting at FHNW – University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland in October
Heike The next but one meeting will take place in Switzerland, at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
Next meeting at Furtwangen University, Germany
The next meeing in presence is planned for June 2025 at KSF insitute, Furtwangen University, Tuttlingen, Germany.
Project meeting in Moulhouse, France
The progress of the project and the next steps were discussed at the project meeting in Mühlhausen. Some participants were connected online.
Online meetings
Online meetings are held regularly
Technical discussions
As the first step of the project, it was decided to conduct a comprehensive literature survey on possible technologies for manufacturing nanopores. From the KSF Institute, laser processing was proposed as a promising approach. At KSF, various laser sources with different parameters were investigated to evaluate their suitability for nanopore fabrication. To establish clear guidelines for laser processing, potential information sources and relevant experts across Europe were contacted. Based on this foundation, different laser processing methods were systematically tested and optimized. This work was carried out through continuous and interactive weekly communication among all groups participating in the project, ensuring a coordinated and collaborative development process.
The first samples were successfully developed and distributed to all project partners for evaluation. Through daily communication and regular online meetings, feedback was collected and discussed collaboratively. Based on this continuous exchange, the final dimensions of the initial diaphragms were refined and agreed upon, ensuring that they met the technical requirements and expectations of all involved groups.
Project meeting in Strasbourg
We held a project meeting on 29.10.2024 in Strasbourg in place of Interreg project manager with all participating groups to foster collaboration and discuss the current progress and future directions. The meeting brought together Prof. Bahman Azarhoushang, Jürgen Struß, Esmaeil Ghadiri Zahrani, and Amir Mohammad Fakharzadeh Jahromi from the KSF Institute at Hochschule Furtwangen; Prof. Maurizio Gullo from University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland; Prof. Karine Mougin from Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) in France; and Prof. Hans-Peter Deigner from Hochschule Furtwangen. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and strategic alignment among the project partners.
Variopore accepted
We are very proud that our research proposal “Variopore” has been accepted for funding under the project call „Wissenschaftsoffensive“ within the framework of Interreg Oberrhein.
The aim of the project is to enable faster and safer diagnosis of infectious diseases through electrical detection of molecules using nanopores. Some infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease (transmitted by the bite of an infected tick), are developing at an alarming rate in Europe, partly due to global warming.
Currently, diagnosis generally relies on tests conducted in medical laboratories, which are often expensive and time-consuming. This can delay effective treatment and lead to complications.
The KSF (Institute of Precision Machining) and the Institute of Precision Medicine (IPM) at Furtwangen University, along with their cross-border partners, are collaborating on research to enable faster and safer diagnosis. A promising solution is emerging thanks to an innovative technology: electrical detection of molecules via nanopores. Two approaches are being pursued:
In the first approach, a nanopore is created in a membrane made of advanced ceramics (such as Si3N4) using ultra-short pulse laser technology and focused ion beam (FIB), through which an electric current flows. In the second approach, membranes with a nanopore are produced using two-photon polymerization. The durability and electrical conductivity of the membranes will be enhanced by coating. Additionally, coating with memory shape materials could allow the pore to change its size and shape under the influence of heat or magnetic fields, enabling it to be reused for the detection of various molecules.
When a molecule passes through the nanopore, the electric current is altered depending on the size and shape of the molecule. This alteration represents a kind of „signature“ of the molecule that then needs to be „deciphered“.
This technology will enable the construction of very small and handy diagnostic devices that can be used directly by medical personnel in the doctor’s office and deliver reliable results in a short time.
We are looking forward to close collaboration in this project with Prof. Karin Mougin from the Université de Haute-Alsace – UHA, Prof. Hans-Peter Deigner from HFU, and Prof. Maurizio Gullo from Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW. We also thank our partners: MVZ LABORÄRZTE SINGE, PROGEN BIOTECHNIK GMBH, UNIVERSITÄTSKLINIK TÜBINGEN, BIC ECRITURE 2000, HEIQ MATERIALS AG, SMARTDYELIVERY GMBH.
Finally, special thanks to Wissenschaftsoffensive, Interreg Oberrhein, MINISTERIUM FÜR WISSENSCHAFT, FORSCHUNG UND KUNST Land Baden-Württemberg, Région Grand Est, Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft, and Canton of basel for funding the project.
