Excellence in Research Award
Maja Pakula Lundheim
Researcher affiliated with Sorbonne Université, France
Maja Pakula Lundheim is a researcher affiliated with Sorbonne Université in France, whose documented scholarly record includes research in the field of nanoengineering and nanofabrication. Her publication, Process windows for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS in confined microchannels, published in the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering on 1 July 2026, provides the principal publication record considered in this academic profile. The work addresses an important fabrication-related topic involving surface activation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in confined microfluidic structures. [1]
Abstract
The research focuses on oxygen plasma activation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces within confined, bonded microchannels. PDMS is widely used in microfluidic fabrication because of its optical transparency, flexibility and manufacturing convenience. However, its naturally hydrophobic surface can complicate the controlled movement of aqueous fluids. The study investigates how plasma power and exposure duration influence surface wettability and hydrophobic recovery. It also considers the preservation of microchannel geometry during treatment. Experimental comparisons identify processing conditions that balance surface modification, stability and structural integrity. The findings provide practical information for researchers developing microfluidic systems and related microscale devices. [1]
Keywords
Nanoengineering and nanofabrication,Oxygen plasma treatment,Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS),Microfluidic devices,Surface modification and wettability,Hydrophobic recovery.
Introduction
Nanoengineering and nanofabrication involve the development and modification of materials and structures at extremely small scales. These disciplines support progress in microfluidics, biomedical engineering, materials science and advanced manufacturing. Surface characteristics are particularly important in microfluidic applications because they influence fluid interactions, wetting behaviour and device performance.
The featured publication examines a specific challenge associated with PDMS microchannels: maintaining hydrophilic surface properties after oxygen plasma treatment. The authors investigate the relationship between plasma-processing parameters and surface stability, providing an experimentally based approach to selecting suitable treatment conditions. [1]
Research Profile
Maja Pakula Lundheim is associated with Sorbonne Université, France. Her documented research publication concerns plasma-based surface activation in confined PDMS microchannels, connecting materials processing with microfabrication and microscale engineering. The article lists her among six contributing authors and identifies research affiliations connected with Sorbonne Université and collaborating laboratories. [1]
The supplied Scopus profile records one document, zero citations and an h-index of zero. These figures represent the reported bibliometric snapshot and should be interpreted in the context of the available publication record rather than as a complete assessment of research capability. [2]
Research Contributions
The featured study evaluates oxygen plasma treatment at different power levels and exposure durations in already-bonded PDMS–glass microchannels. The researchers investigate contact-angle changes and the effects of subsequent storage conditions. Their findings indicate that water storage suppresses hydrophobic recovery, while exposure to air produces measurable changes in wettability over time.
An important outcome is the identification of 30 W for three minutes as a preferred treatment condition for the particular microchannel geometry investigated. The study also discusses the limitations of excessive plasma exposure, including damage to delicate channel structures. These observations contribute practical guidance for reproducible microfluidic fabrication, although the recommended processing window requires validation for different device geometries and plasma systems. [1]
Publications
The following journal article constitutes the publication supplied for this academic recognition profile:
- Pakula Lundheim, M., Pakula, W., Urbach, W., Laurent, J., Lamuraglia, M., and Taulier, N. (2026). Process windows for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS in confined microchannels. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 36, 075008. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6439/ae8555. [1]
The publication appeared in the July 2026 journal issue and was published online on 15 July 2026. [3]
Research Impact
The significance of this research lies in its contribution to understanding surface modification in confined microfluidic environments. By examining both wettability and structural integrity, the publication addresses practical considerations that influence the reliability of fabricated devices. Its findings may inform future investigations involving polymer surface engineering, microchannel preparation and controlled fluid handling.
The current supplied bibliometric indicators are one indexed document, zero citations and an h-index of zero. Since citation-based indicators can change as publications become more widely discovered and cited, these figures should be treated as a time-specific record rather than a final measure of academic influence. [2]
Award Suitability
The Excellence in Research Award profile recognizes documented scholarly work relevant to nanoengineering and nanofabrication. Maja Pakula Lundheim’s featured publication demonstrates engagement with an experimentally investigated engineering problem involving material surfaces, plasma processing and microfluidic device performance.
The research offers a relevant example of interdisciplinary scientific investigation, combining surface science, polymer engineering and microscale fabrication. Its publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal provides a verifiable scholarly contribution for consideration within the Global Nano Awards. Award recognition and final eligibility remain subject to the organizer’s assessment procedures and applicable selection criteria. [4]
Conclusion
Maja Pakula Lundheim’s documented research contribution addresses an important materials-processing challenge in confined microfluidic systems. Her 2026 publication examines oxygen plasma activation of PDMS and identifies practical conditions for balancing wettability, recovery behaviour and channel integrity. This work represents a relevant contribution to nanoengineering and nanofabrication research. The Excellence in Research Award recognition profile highlights the publication and its scientific subject area while providing accessible links for independent verification of the researcher’s academic record.
External Links
References
- Pakula Lundheim, M., Pakula, W., Urbach, W., Laurent, J., Lamuraglia, M., and Taulier, N. (2026). Process windows for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS in confined microchannels. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 36, 075008. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6439/ae8555.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6439/ae8555
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Maja Pakula Lundheim, Author ID 60761525900. Scopus.
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=60761525900
- Crossref. (2026). Metadata and publication information for Process windows for oxygen plasma activation of PDMS in confined microchannels.
- Global Nano Awards. (n.d.). Official award website and recognition information.
https://globalnanoawards.com/
- ORCID. (n.d.). Maja Pakula Lundheim – researcher identifier and scholarly profile.
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5862-7577
- Laboratoire de Physique de l’École Normale Supérieure. (2026). Research publications listing the PDMS microchannel plasma activation study.