Sony DADC BioSciences and TSMC Receive AACC Award

The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) presented Sony DADC BioSciences and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC; Hsinchu, Taiwan) with the AACC Industry Division Award.

The winning abstract, “Versatile Electrical Platform for Accelerated Development and Commercialization of In-Vitro Diagnostic Assays,” describes a process to integrate a novel silicon biosensor into a microfluidic chip, which has the potential to enable customers to design cost-effective, mass-fabricated Point-of-Care (POC) devices with better sensitivity and higher robustness than other available solutions.

The award is selected by a committee formed by the Chair of the AACC Industry Division, and given to research deemed to present a significant contribution to the in vitro diagnostic industry in management, regulatory affairs, or improved patient care, through a new or improved medical device.

The award-winning research combines Sony DADC BioSciences’ position in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manufacturing of smart polymer-based consumables and TSMC’s deep expertise in silicon biosensor manufacturing. It aims to overcome a major hurdle for further development of point-of-care (POC) devices by improving material compatibility and positional alignment between silicon and plastics. Both partners have applied best-in-class silicon and plastic material-sciences to create a demonstrator for a novel hybrid design. The novelty of the silicon biosensor manufactured by TSMC is complemented by solid-state bonding of silicon to microstructured plastics developed by Sony DADC BioSciences.

Closing the gap between macro and micro interfaces allows simple and robust instrument interfaces, which serve the needs of POC environments. Both companies together will engage in discussions with diagnostic industry leaders as early adopters of the new manufacturing techniques to integrate biosensors.

Dr. Christoph Mauracher, senior vice president at Sony DADC BioSciences Sony DADC BioSciences notes, “Sony DADC BioSciences has enjoyed the cooperative development with TSMC to create a novel silicon-plastic fluidic interface which enables simple integration of microfluidic functionalities like filters, mixers, valves and pumps while ensuring a robust sample input and waste management.”

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