Episode #95 | Microfluidics & Additive Innovation with Paul Marshall

The Lattice (Official 3DHEALS Podcast)

Microfluidics has long promised to reshape diagnostics, drug discovery, and laboratory science. Microfluidics is about manipulating how tiny amounts of liquid move through channels no wider than a human hair; a "lab on a chip" diagnostic. Now imagine being able to 3D print those channels instead of painstakingly etching them. Paul Marshall, CEO of Rapid Fluidics, is working to improve the norm by applying additive manufacturing to the design and production of microfluidic systems.

In this episode, Jenny Chen speaks with Marshall about how 3D printing enables fluidic devices with architectures that cannot be produced through conventional techniques. Traditional fabrication locks researchers into rigid patterns and flat geometries. Paul's work extends beyond basic microfluidics.

His team creates remarkably detailed anatomical models by converting medical imaging data into functional vascular systems that mimic human biology. These models provide alternatives to animal testing and training platforms for medical procedures. They've also worked on embedding electronics directly into microfluidic devices, creating "smart" systems that can measure biological changes in real-time. Their work clearly demonstrates the potential of infusing engineering precision with scientific imagination.

Paul Marshall reflects on the growth of his career as a founder by detailing the progression from experimental prototypes to a growing enterprise serving research communities. Marshall launched this venture at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a seemingly unpromising time to start a business. However, as diagnostic companies pivoted to develop coronavirus tests, the demand for rapid prototyping exploded. Now five years later, Rapid Fluidics serves global healthcare giants from their base in Newcastle, England, while planning expansion to the United States.

This conversation offers a perspective on microfluidics that goes beyond the traditional. If you’ve ever wondered how big breakthroughs emerge from small scales, this episode makes the case that the tiniest channels can carry some of the most exciting ideas.

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1. Introduction to Paul Marshall and RapidFluidics (00:00:00)

2. Founding a Startup During the Pandemic (00:06:17)

3. Microfluidics Fundamentals and Challenges (00:08:27)

4. Anatomical Models and Vasculature Systems (00:22:53)

5. Valve Manifolds and Industrial Applications (00:29:06)

6. PCB Embedded Wells and Biosensors (00:34:44)

7. Industry Growth and Future Outlook (00:46:32)

8. Personal Interests and Newcastle Culture (00:56:45)