Microfluidics: The Evolution from PDMS to Thermoplastics for Enhanced Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness

In the ever-evolving realm of microfluidics, the pivot from traditional materials to advanced alternatives is becoming increasingly evident. These “labs-on-a-chip” devices, pivotal in biological research, diagnostics, and drug delivery, owe their efficacy to the careful selection of materials and manufacturing methodologies. Historically, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has dominated the microfluidic landscape. Its biocompatibility, flexibility, and innate transparency…

  • Mike Adelstein
  • August 11, 2023

Potomac Photonics: Advancements in Precision Manufacturing of Silicon Wafers

Silicon wafers serve as a fundamental component in various technologies, and Potomac Photonics is leading the charge in their manufacturing and optimization. This industry front-runner has made significant strides in refining techniques for precise feature creation and hole drilling in silicon wafers, which includes wafer dicing and detailed patterning for diverse applications. Central Role of…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • July 13, 2023

New FDA Drug-testing Guidelines Open Door for Use of Data 

Generated by Microfluidic Organ-On-A-Chip Devices For decades the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has depended upon results from animal trials to prove the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals. Yet the methodology is far from reliable. Only 10% of the drugs that move from animal testing to human clinical trials succeeds. Such low yields from a…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • May 12, 2023

Revolutionizing Leak Testing / Container Closure Integrity (CCIT) with Potomac Photonics’ Rapid Turnaround Hole Drilling Capabilites

Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) is crucial for ensuring the sterility and safety of packaging in pharmaceutical and other critical industries. Potomac Photonics, a leader in the field, offers rapid turnaround leak testing services to meet this growing demand. By leveraging their expertise in laser drilling and advanced micromachining systems, Potomac Photonics provides precision-calibrated leaks…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • April 13, 2023

DuPont Kapton Polyimide: Versatile Applications and Potomac Photonics’ Expertise in Laser Micro Machining

Introduction DuPont’s Kapton polyimide is a high-performance polymer known for its exceptional electrical insulation, mechanical strength, and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals. As a result, it has become an indispensable material across various industries, including medical, biotech, electronics, aerospace, and automotive. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the diverse applications of Kapton in these…

  • Mike Adelstein
  • March 28, 2023

Laser Drilling of Port Holes for Microfluidic Devices

Microfluidic devices are a type of miniaturized lab-on-a-chip technology that have been gaining popularity in recent years. These tiny devices are used to manipulate and analyze very small quantities of fluids, and they have a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, chemistry, and biology. One of the key components of microfluidic devices…

  • Mike Adelstein
  • March 21, 2023

Hydrophilicity of COC Microfluidic Devices

Potomac can fabricate fully functional microfluidic devices in many materials such as Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer (COC). Often our customers ask us to treat the material to make if more hydrophilic.  COC is a relatively hydrophobic material that can be difficult to wet with water or aqueous solutions. However, there are several methods that can be used…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • March 15, 2023

Pushing the Limits in 2023

Even after decades of success helping innovators prototype and manufacture the next generation of products in a diverse range of industries, each year Potomac still evaluates how we can develop even more market specific products for the biotech, microfluidics, EV Battery, microelectronics, aerospace, and consumer markets. 2023 is no different. For the year ahead we…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • January 31, 2023

Combining 3D Printing & Microfluidic Devices at UMBC 

To Create Liver on a Chip Research via NIH Grant Drug discovery is in a radical digital transformation period. Historically, developing new pharmaceuticals has been a very long – think years or even decades – and expensive – think billions of dollars – process. A large part of the time and cost in bringing new…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • December 27, 2022

For National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
Advancing Diagnostics & R&D with Microfluidic Technology

There is a reason that Media Personality Katie Couric announced her June breast cancer diagnosis in the first few days of October. The TV news pioneer strategically timed her public reveal with the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Started in 1991 by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the annual month of educational activities…

  • Mike Adelstein
  • October 11, 2022

Potomac Innovations in EV Battery Manufacturing 

Potomac is more than just a contract manufacturing company. We strive to solve the difficult problems that impact humanity. Much of our work has been focused on advancing healthcare. Our manufacturing innovations have helped nearly blind people see, allowed point of care diagnostics to ensure best treatment options for patients, and enabled precision medicine to…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • September 7, 2022

From NASA Perseverance Laser Marking on Mars  

To Potomac Laser Marking on Earth Product marking and coding is one of the most successful applications of laser technology. Light engraves a wide variety of substrates quickly and economically and some wavelengths, like those in the ultraviolet, allow for very small micro-marks. Etching a mark right into the surface of a product is a…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • July 28, 2022