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

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

Potomac Accelerates Shadow Mask 
Manufacturing Speeds

Every day, disruptive technologies allow humans to enter a new world that brings innovations to life. Whether battling climate change by reducing the amount of fossil fuel burning, helping autonomous vehicles navigate roads, guiding man to Mars, or cleaning up toxic waste, technology innovations are the key to solving our world’s problem’s – today and…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • June 28, 2022

Potomac Innovation Report

            Breaking Down Barriers for a Biotech Startup There are many barriers to market entry for new biotech products, most of which start with demonstrating the feasibility of a new technology.  However, once proof of concept is established in the prototyping stage, getting a product to market requires overcoming big hurdles in high volume manufacturing.  Startups…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • December 1, 2021

Potomac Recognizes National Manufacturing Day

Manufacturing has long been the backbone of this nation, providing good-paying jobs that built a strong middle class.  Today’s advanced manufacturing, like work we carry out at Potomac for biotech, microfluidics, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, medical device, and consumer products, does not resemble the industry from Henry Ford’s time.  Almost a century later, manufacturing is a high…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • September 30, 2021

Potomac Photonics Designs and Fabricates Innovative Dental Tool to Comply with COVID Protocols.

Potomac scientists and engineers innately see a problem and, especially in this time of Covid, can’t help but jump in to innovate a solution.  Just that happened when Potomac senior research scientist, Natalia Christensen, visited her dentist for an annual check-up.  Explains Jessica Salmon, a 12-year dental hygienist veteran at Gentle Family Dentistry in Dunkirk,…

  • Potomac Photonics
  • November 24, 2020