New NIST Heart on a Chip Microfluidic Platform Speeds Drug Discovery & Commercialization 

Animal testing has long been an established protocol in drug discovery programs. But there are systemic issues with the far from reliable methodology. In fact, only 10% of the drugs that move from animal testing to human clinical trials succeeds. Such low yields increase the time and expense required to get pharmaceuticals to market, fueling…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • March 12, 2024

Precision Laser Drilling of Glass Slides and Coverslips for Microfluidics and Biotech Applications

In the field of microfluidics, where precision is key to innovation and application success, our expertise at Potomac Photonics sets a standard. We specialize in the art of laser drilling precise small holes in glass slides and coverslips, a critical capability for the fabrication of microfluidic devices. These devices play a pivotal role in various…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • February 5, 2024

Machine Learning: Applying AI to Manufacturing at Potomac Photonics

The world today seems consumed with fears about Artificial Intelligence, otherwise known as AI. Writers, journalists, ad copywriters, teachers, and artists are fearful their jobs will be lost to computers but in manufacturing we have been applying a subset of AI to manufacturing for decades with positive results. Like other forms of AI, Machine Learning…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • November 12, 2023

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