Cell and Tissue Engineering
Human Spare Parts, 2011-2019
The goal of this project was to develop stem cell-based solutions and advanced in vitro models for neural, cardiac, bone, and adipose diseases and traumas. The project combined top-level expertise in biomaterials, sensor technology, biomedical engineering and stem cells to develop technologies and solutions for new therapies and drug treatments while reducing the use of laboratory animals. Alltogether 8 research groups from Tampere Universities participated in the project that produced several in vitro models and led to several national New Businesses from Research Ideas –projects aiming at the commercialization of the developed solutions.
WoodBone
The goal of the project was to study multi-parametric in-situ monitoring of paper fibers and osteogenic cells while they experience chemical and mechanical stimuli. The monitored parameters were internal morphological structures and their mechanical properties. We proposed a microrobotic approach which does not only provide a sufficient throughput but also a possibility to respond to the changes in the measured parameters by modifying the stimulation parameters and thus, to control the material properties, for example in osteogenic differentiation.
Mini-Hypoxy
This Tekes funded TUTLi project developed technology for portable hypoxia environment and investigated its commercial potential.
Neuro TUTL
This Tekes funded TUTLi project developed technology for in vitro neuro models and investigated their commercial potential.
BioRA
The project focused on the staff exchange between the partners of EU and China, and on the development of new technologies and applications in the field of biomedical robotics on the macro, micro and nano scales for biological cell detection, manipulation, test and injection. The project included five participants from Europe (UK, Finland, Germany, Bulgaria) and five from China.
DrugPermeA
This Tekes funded project developed a novel and versatile microfluidic in vitro alternative for tissue permeability studies.
FIBAM
The project developed new methods to better understand the properties of wood derived fibers and muscle fibers in a human heart. The approach in the project was to use microrobotics, i.e automatic instruments which can precisely manipulate and measure properties of individual microscopic objects.
Stemfunc
Biomimetic Active Environment for Maturing and Differentiating Stem Cells (2008-2011)
OPTIMI
Optically Actuated Microfluidics (2007-2009)
DAAD-NANO
Nanorobot-based electrical and mechanical characterization of biological cells (2007-2009)
PICO
Development of Control Methods for Piezoelectric Actuators (2003-2008). Development of control Methods for Piezoelectric Actuators (2003-2008)
ACC
Automated Cell Culturing on a Well Plate (2003-2007)
LIVD
Development of Methods for Testing of Therapeutic Molecules In-vitro (2004-2006)
GENOMANDA
Automatic Manipulation, Detection and Analysis of Functions of Genes (2004-2005)
AIM
Integration of Automatic Intracellular Microinjection and Bioelectrical Recordings (2003-2004)
SOLOMANDA
Automatic Manipulation, Detection and Analysis of Individual Biological Cells (2000-2002).
Material characterization and microassembly
FibData 2019-2021
We were coordinating the project Revolution in Data-Based Fibre Material Science Using Microrobotics and Computational Modeling, FibData. It is funded by Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and Technology Industries of Finland Centennial through The Future Makers Program. In this project, we develop methods to reduce the use of raw materials and to aid R&D of fibre-based or fibre-reinforced products. We concentrate especially on understanding and providing better material interfaces, understanding the variety of the material properties and providing better structural designs. We develop automatic microrobotic system able to characterize mechanical properties of fibres and fibre-matrix interfaces in high throughput at micro- and nanoscales. The data obtained is further utilized by a project partner in numerical multi-scale material models that link fibre properties to product scale properties.
NUMOBIO 2021-2023
We were part of the project coordinated by VTT. The goal was to develop experimental and numerical methods to develop next generation biocomposites.
FibreNet 2018-2021
We were the coordinator of an EU-funded MSCA-ITN project FibreNet. Fibrenet was a coalition of seven European universities and eight industrial organizations operating in the field of bio-based fibres with applications in biocomposites, paper & packaging and medical textiles. The 15 subprojects of Fibrenet all strive to bridge the knowledge-gap between the properties of fibres and fibre-based products in order to enable product tailoring, products with new functionalities and brand-new fibre products. The research involves fibre fuctionalization, characterization, modelling, and production related themes. Our own research is especially related to characterization of fibres using microrobotics and machine learning methods.
FibRobotics
The project studied characterization of fibre reinforced materials at micro scale using microrobotics.
WoodBone
The goal of the project was to study multi-parametric in-situ monitoring of paper fibers and osteogenic cells while they experience chemical and mechanical stimuli. The monitored parameters were internal morphological structures and their mechanical properties. We proposed a microrobotic approach which does not only provide a sufficient throughput but also a possibility to respond to the changes in the measured parameters by modifying the stimulation parameters and thus, to control the material properties, for example in osteogenic differentiation.
BioRA
The project focused on the staff exchange between the partners of EU and China, and on the development of new technologies and applications in the field of biomedical robotics on the macro, micro and nano scales for biological cell detection, manipulation, test and injection. The project included five participants from Europe (UK, Finland, Germany, Bulgaria) and five from China.
PowerBonds
The WoodWisdom-Net project aimed to increase the understanding of paper strength. The strength of paper is largely dependent on the properties of individual paper fibres and inter-fibre bonds. If the strength of bonds or fibres can be improved, paper manufacturers will be able replace expensive fibres with cheaper fillers, such as chalk and clay. The project studied fibre strength and bonding capabilities using novel mechanical and chemical fibre modifications and by developing new models and characterization tools. TUT focused on the development of microrobotic methods to automatically characrerize the stregth of individual fibre bonds. http://www.youtube.com/user/ttytutase
FIBAM
The project developed new methods to better understand the properties of wood derived fibers and muscle fibers in a human heart. The approach in the project is to use microrobotics, i.e automatic instruments which can precisely manipulate and measure properties of individual microscopic objects.
ECNANOMAN
The project was a part of International Research Staff Exchange Programme (IRSES) in FP7. The goal was to establish a long-term research cooperation platform between Europe and China. The objective was achieved by means of staff exchange between the partners of EU and China in the areas of nano handling, assembly and manufacturing technologies. The project included four participants from Europe (Germany, Finland, Denmark, France) and five from China.
FiFiBo
New Insights into Fibre-Fibre Bonding using Micro- and Nanorobotic Technologies. The goal of this researcher mobility project was to develop and deploy novel micro- and nanorobotic techniques to increase the understanding of the bonding and de-bonding of cellulose fibres. The project put together robotic expertise in two scales: microrobotic paper fiber expertise at Tampere University of Technology and nanorobotic expertise at the University of Oldenburg.
SmartFibre
Surface Engineering of Pulp Fibres: New Functionalisation Concepts for Smart Fibre Products (2009-2011)
FPMC
Flow Process Management and Control (2006-2010)
MELA
MEMS Laminates Technologies (2003-2004)
ROBOSEM
Development of a Smart Nanorobot for Sensor-Based Handling in a Scanning Electron Microscope (2002-2004)
FEMAS
Future Electronic Microassembly Systems (2001-2002)
PAMIR
Treatment of Paper Fibers using Microsystem Technology (2000-2002)
TOMI – µASSY
Towards mini and microassembly (2000-2002)
VR-MICRO
Virtual Environment for Operation in the Micro World (1997-1999)
AMINU
Advanced Microsystems – Collaboration with Nagoya University (1999)
Point of Care Diagnostics and Microfluidics
ProScents 2019-2023
We are part of Programmable Scent Environments -project, ProScents. It is funded by Academy of Finland’s ICT 2023 research programme called Programmable World and Advanced Software Techniques. The project links scents to multisensory VR and creates methods for studying the functioning of the sense of smell and the relationship between memory and olfactory experiences. In ProScents, our group uses system integration and machine learning in developing scent synthesiser technologies and methods for analysing the scents.
Digits
Digital Scents (2016-2017). DIGITS research project aimed to develop a system prototype which measures scents by an electric nose (eNose) and digitizes them. The scents could then be reproduced by using a self-learning scent synthesiser. Our role in the project was to develop the scent synthesizer using microfluidics and machine learning methods.
ReDia
Ready-to-use Microfluidic Cartridges for Affordable Point-of-care Diagnostics. The objective of this collaborative Finnish-Indian project was to develop rapid tests for the detection of heart infraction and tuberculosis. ASE develops automatic microfluidic technologies for on-chip liquid handling.
NucleoTracker
Tracking Nucleic Acid Containing Compounds in Water Environment, 2010-2012
The objective of the project was to develop methods for measuring nucleic acid containing analytes in water resources. The analytes can be either biological organisms or synthetic compounds added advisedly to water. ASE developed disposable microfluidic chips for liquid handling.
NanoFlow
Enhancement of in vitro Diagnostics using Nanoparticle Labels, Nanophotonics and Microfluidics (2008-2011)
PanFlow
Microfluidics Platform for a Multi-purpose Point-of-use need System (2005-2008)
BIOAKUSTI
Microacoustic Biosensor (2006-2009)
NEOPOC
Total Analysis System for POC Diagnostics (2004-2005)
MIFLUS
Microfluidics Survey (2003-2004)
BLOSD
Development of an Automatic Blood Sampling Device (2002-2003)
FLUISY
Development of Microfluidic Systems (1997-1999)