VortexLC aims to develop a cheap point of care device to improve the quality of the analysis and give an instant full picture of the health status of diabetes patients. The use of vortex flows renders the approach compatible with mass manufacturing of plastic pillar array columns, that are not only much cheaper than commonly used packed bed columns, but wherein also higher separation performances can be obtained (VUB partner). The polymer columns are fabricated using UV nanoimprint lithography (JOR partner), plasma technology to make them porous (NCSR-D) and add a chromatographic coating (CPI partner), and lamination to close the column, all processes that can be scaled to roll-to-roll industrial manufacturing. The columns will be embedded in an instrument that allows for integrated sample preparation and miniaturized UV absorption and SERS detection, allowing for both quantification and identification of analytes (VUB partner). In the project a low footprint demonstrator of the novel system and columns will be built and tested with first synthetic, next human blood samples to quantify Hb1Ac and its genetic variants.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon EIC Pathfinder Open 2021 under the grant agreement ID 101047029.

The project combines the expertise of 6 European partners: three groups from Vrije Universiteit Brussels: µFlow, B-PHOT and Laboratory of Hematology and Clinical Chemistry, together with Joanneum Research in Austria, National Center for Scientific Research Demokritos in Greece, and the French company CPI.