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PhD Researcher Jing Jing Xu Publishes In-Depth Analysis on Microfluidic Device Fabrication in Polymers JournalWe are thrilled to congratulate our PhD Researcher, Jing Jing Xu from TU Wien, on the publication of her latest research article, "From Soft Lithography to 3D Printing: Current Status and Future of Microfluidic Device Fabrication" in the well-regarded Polymers journal. This achievement highlights the comprehensive analysis conducted by Jing Jing Xu, where she systematically compared different fabrication methods, assessed their practical applications, and examined key factors such as efficiency, precision, and biocompatibility to provide a well-rounded perspective on the current and future landscape of microfluidic device fabrication.Microfluidic devices play a crucial role in various scientific and industrial applications, including biomedical diagnostics, drug delivery, and chemical analysis. In her article, Jing Jing Xu explores the transformative potential of 3D printing as an alternative to traditional soft lithography techniques. The study provides an in-depth review of various 3D printing methods, particularly photopolymerization techniques, fused deposition modeling, and material jetting, and evaluates their advantages in terms of cost efficiency, geometric complexity, and material versatility.The article also addresses key challenges limiting the widespread adoption of 3D printing for microfluidic applications, including material transparency and biocompatibility. Recent advancements in printing technologies and new material developments are highlighted, demonstrating progress in overcoming these barriers. Additionally, the study discusses future trends such as improvements in printing resolution and speed, the emergence of bioprinting for organ-on-a-chip applications, sustainability considerations, and the impact of regulatory frameworks on the field.Published in Polymers, a peer-reviewed journal known for its focus on polymer science and engineering, this research provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of microfluidic device fabrication. By bridging the gap between traditional and emerging fabrication techniques, this review offers researchers and engineers a clearer understanding of the strengths and limitations of each approach, aiding in the selection of the most suitable methods for specific applications.We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jing Jing Xu for this valuable contribution and look forward to seeing her continued impact in the field of polymer science and microfluidics.For more details, you can access the full article in Polymers: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/17/4/455.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Viriato Semião on January 31, 2025. His death has left an irreplaceable void in our professional community, where his contributions, mentorship, and leadership have had a lasting impact.Viriato was a distinguished professor for mechanical engineering at Instituto Técnico Lisboa with a strong focus on experimental and computational fluid mechanics. Inspired by the excellent research in membrane separations at IST, Viriato developed a passion for membranes, and the fluid dynamic analysis and optimization of membrane modules in particular. Viriato has always been known for his exceptional intellect, dedication, and unwavering professionalism. His work was marked by a pursuit of excellence, continuously inspiring those around him. With quiet strength and thoughtful guidance, he played a pivotal role in numerous successful research projects. Whether leading teams through complex challenges or offering support to colleagues, he instilled confidence and respect.Despite his many accomplishments, Viriato led with humility, focusing on the success of his colleagues and the betterment of the work. His ability to nurture talent, share knowledge, and foster collaboration earned deep respect from all who worked with him. During the first project year of BioMembrOS, Viriato not only actively contributed his exceptional expertise in fluid dynamics and mass transfer to the progress of our research – he also challenged our concepts by raising the right questions at the right time. And with his scientific expertise and experience, he always had a solution or an idea at hand – mentoring, inspiring and guiding our younger researchers.His sudden passing has left us heartbroken. Viriato’s legacy of excellence, integrity, and kindness will continue to inspire us. He was a colleague, mentor, and friend whose influence will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family.Rest in peace, Viriato. You will be deeply missed.

On November 6th, 2024, we participated in the Young Scientists Symposium in Klosterneuburg, an event dedicated to fostering collaboration among early-career researchers. Our team presented two posters, "Multi objective Optimization of Hollow Fiber Membrane Oxygenators Arrangement Using Modified Enhanced Jaya Algorithm" and "Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Transport Modeling in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenators with Sinusoidal Fiber Morphology" including our work on the BioMembrOS Project, highlighting key advancements and engaging in discussions with fellow scientists.To further promote our research, we distributed leaflets, providing attendees with insights into our project and encouraging future collaborations. The symposium served as an excellent platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and strengthening interdisciplinary connections.We look forward to future opportunities to engage with the scientific community and continue driving innovation.