Embedding Sustainability in BioMEMS and Microfluidic Manufacturing for Point-of-care Diagnostics

Microfluidic and BioMEMS systems underpin the rapid growth of point-of-care diagnostics, enabling miniaturised, portable, and cost-effective solutions that bring testing closer to patients. However, the very success of these technologies, which are often single-use and disposable, poses a challenge: how can we scale production responsibly while reducing environmental impact? This talk will address sustainability in Microfluidic and BioMEMS manufacturing, focusing on barriers and opportunities to align innovation with global environmental goals. As well as discussing ‘hidden’ environmental issues in the industry, I will share examples from my research to illustrate how sustainable solutions can be hide unexpected innovation. Beyond technical solutions, I will discuss the role of intersectoral collaboration—between engineers, manufacturers, and policymakers—in shaping a diagnostics industry that is both resilient and environmentally conscious.