Engaging nanotechnology: ethnography of lab-on-a-chip technology in small-scale fluidics research

• DOI: 10.1007/s10111-015-0344-0
• Publication Date: 2015-06-01T05:05:42Z
• Authors: Vivek Kant; Catherine M. Burns
• Keywords: USable

Growth of novel small-scale technologies (micro- and nanotechnology) is expected to change the nature work in future. Currently, Human Factors Ergonomics (HFE) research technologies, especially nanotechnology, its infancy. Since are bring about radical changes, aligning HFE these allows for usable products from inception, rather than an afterthought. This paper presents ethnographic study conducted on lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology area fluidics. LOC devices small where laboratory processes shrunk into miniature size, often no bigger a credit card. promises low-cost point-of-care health care, as well applications other emerging sectors. In this study, fabrication testing using soft lithography techniques were addressed detail. Specifically, it shown that device entails considerable amount skilled workmanship part researcher. Further, was at University Waterloo. Addressing domain venture HFE. With growth universities major players innovation system, university has emerged important aspect commercialization transfer process. Thus, conducting laboratories will, long run, allow professionals play greater role process linking university, industry society. emphasizing principle: good economics requires ergonomics.