The Problem:
Individual micro/nanofluidic (MF) technologies are always “partial” solutions to critical problems. Most applications require the combination of several MF technologies (microfabrication, transport, sorting, separation, detection, and interconnects). Furthermore, few processes currently employed are truly manufacturable.

MF3 Mission:
Create a focused community that performs fundamental micro/nano fluidic (MF) research to develop standardized MF integration processes and device technology that provides solutions to Department of Defense and commercial problems.

MF3 is focused on the advancement of fluidic surface and interface analyses/chemistries, MF design and modeling methods, the development of economical and modular components, and the establishment of standard fabrication and packaging processes. Progress made in these areas will lead to new bioanalytical microsystems as well as expedite micro/nanofluidic commercialization.

MF3 Core Projects focus on the technical challenges and applications in processing whole blood and untreated water using MF technologies. Interconnectable and interchangeable Standard Integration Modular Platforms (SIMPs) are being developed to allow many users to create products more rapidly by removing the fundamental roadblocks in transitioning MF technologies from benchtop to market. Also, these advances will be critical for drug discovery/delivery, in-situ health monitoring, drinking and environmental water quality analysis, and overall logistics management in both battlefield and civilian scenarios.

MF3 is currently developing Standard Integration Modular Platforms (SIMPs) for:

• Fluid transport control in multiplexed manifolds and large arrays
• Integration of optical and electrical elements in micro/nanofluidic devices
• Multianalyte detection of cells and biomolecules

MF3 also performs "targeted research" with Senior Corporate Members. These activities vary in scope and application, but they all fulfill specific corporate research needs in micro/nano fluidics.

Comprised of 17 leading micro/nanofluidics professors at 10 different universities nationwide, MF3 includes leading researchers from biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and chemistry. This research team is working together to address the critical challenges facing the microfluidics defense and industry sectors. Prominent companies have also joined as MF3 Industrial Members and have pledged to provide real-world problems to guide and channel the research.

The MF3 Center is funded by the participating industry members along with a funding match from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Center is an outgrowth of the activity within the Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, an interdisciplinary research laboratory in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine.

There are three different levels of corporate membership at MF3:

1) Senior Membership – $60,000 annual membership

Senior members have a seat on the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) that helps decide which projects will be funded, and they participate in semi-annual MF3 research meetings. These members also have access to timely summaries of all research, advances, new inventions, and discoveries arising from general research activities with the option to negotiate a non-exclusive license of intellectual property (exclusive if fellow members approve). The IAB will determine the targeted larger research directions ("grand challenges") as well as vote on whether to include companies applying for Technology Membership at MF3.

Senior Members may also attend the DARPA MEMS/NEMS Science & Technology Fundamentals "All-Center" meeting with secondary right to license from the 10 other centers in this DARPA program. A list of these other centers is in this linked document: DARPA MEMS/NEMS S&T Centers.

Senior Members can also provide additional funds to support specific research beyond the basic center projects. Terms will be negotiated between Senior Member, Principal Investigator, and Institutional owner of the facility. They may include a right of first access (within a set time limit) to negotiate an exclusive license to the IP developed with these funds. These projects are also eligible to leverage MF3 center funds.

2) Associate membership – $30,000 annual membership

Associate members participate in semi-annual MF3 research meetings and receive timely summaries of all research, advances, new inventions and discoveries arising from general research activities. They also have the option to negotiate a non-exclusive license of intellectual property (exclusive if fellow members approve). Associate Members may also attend the DARPA MEMS/NEMS Science & Technology Fundamentals "All-Center" meeting with secondary right to license from the 10 other centers in this DARPA program. A list of these other centers is in this linked document: DARPA MEMS/NEMS S&T Centers.

3) Technology Membership – in-kind contribution

Technology members participate in semi-annual MF3 research meetings and have access to the MF3 community. Membership at this level is for one year, subject to approval and renewal by the IAB. These members must provide valuable, tangible technology to the center and may participate in specific projects with in-kind contributions. Tangible contributions include (but are not limited to) equipment, software licenses, and/or fabrication services.

Please direct any inquiries to:
Dr. Abraham Lee, MF3 Principal Investigator
Dr. Gisela Lin, MF3 Center Development Manager