University of Florence researchers use Henniker’s HPT-100 to develop a microfluidic biosensor for non-invasive Parkinson’s disease drug monitoring.
Cells migrate in response to environmental gradients as part of development, immune response, wound healing, and disease progression. For decades, the prevailing understanding has been that cell migration towards stiffer substrates (a process called durotaxis) depends critically on focal adhesions. These molecular anchors sense substrate stiffness and transmit forces that guide directed cell motion. However, recent research reveals a fundamentally different migration mechanism that operates without focal adhesions entirely.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are essential components in modern healthcare diagnostics, plasmonic sensing, catalysis, and nanomaterial design. Their performance depends critically on surface chemistry — how ligands, ions, and trace species interact at the nanoscale interface. Even subtle changes in the interfacial environment can reshape morphology, alter molecular binding, and ultimately determine material functionality. Understanding these dynamic surface processes is therefore fundamental to designing better sensors, catalysts, and nanomaterials.
The Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), based in Scotland, acts as a strategic partner for SMEs, university spinouts, and researchers seeking to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and commercial success.
Since its launch in 2020, MDMC has worked with over 170 companies and entrepreneurs, guiding them through prototyping, small-batch production, and the full regulatory landscape (UKCA and CE marking) that governs the path to market for medical devices.
Retinal organoids are tiny 3D models of retinal tissue used in medical and life-science research and are changing how scientists explore eye disease, develop therapies, and evaluate new drugs. However, one persistent challenge has been their unreliable interaction with biomaterial surfaces. Poor attachment or inconsistent cell development limits experimental accuracy and slows progress in regenerative medicine.
November 2025 – Henniker, UK.
Henniker Plasma, the UK’s leading manufacturer of plasma treatment systems, has announced the launch of Nova, a new advanced benchtop plasma system that brings industrial-grade process control to the research and development environment.
January 2026 – Henniker, UK.
Henniker Plasma announces the launch of CoatX®, an advanced plasma-coating technology designed to deliver permanent, nano-scale functional coatings that transform surface performance without altering the underlying material.
In a recent article published in the journal iScience, researchers at UCLA have found that cells can repair themselves in seconds after being gently squeezed to let in genetic material. This researchcould help make future gene therapies safer, more efficient, and more economical.
The article “Development of Antibacterial Cotton-Black Viscose and Cotton-Polyester Blended-Knit Fabric Using Ag Doped ZnO Nanocomposite”, published in Advanced Materials Interfaces by the research group of Professor Tanu Arefin, explores how plasma treatment enhances the development of antibacterial knit fabrics using silver-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites. The research focuses on cotton–polyester and cotton–black viscose blends, aiming to improve hygiene, comfort and durability without compromising the natural softness of the textiles.
We’re excited to announce that Henniker Plasma will be exhibiting at the Microscopy Conference 2025 (MC2025) in Karlsruhe, taking place from 31st August – 4th September 2025.
A recent study by researchers at The University of Virginia, in collaboration with Ceramic Tubular Products LLC, has demonstrated thatoxygen plasma activation, performed using the Henniker HPT-100 plasma cleaner, can significantly improve the joining ofsilicon carbide (SiC) components. By modifying the SiC surface prior to pressure-less brazing with a silica–alumina–magnesia (SAMg) glass filler, researchers achieved stronger, fully hermetic joints - with over150% higher strength than untreated samples.
In this interesting work, researchers from the University of Twenteutilise Henniker’sHPT-200 plasma system inthe development of a Tesla Valve-based pumpless flow system [1]. Pumpless perfusion is a method of moving fluids through a microfluidic or Organ-on-Chip system without using external pumps like syringe or peristaltic pumps.
Defects inside molecular crystals called dislocations can affect how materials perform in electronics, pharmaceuticals, or coatings. Until now, imaging these defects has been hard because the microscopes needed too much electron energy, which damages fragile organic crystals.
Delivering genetic material such as RNA or DNA into human cells is a central challenge in the development of next-generation medicines - from gene therapy to RNA-based vaccines. In the search for safer, more stable delivery platforms, researchers are increasingly turning to polymer brushes: nanoscale coatings made of densely packed, hair-like polymer chains tethered to a surface.
July 2025 – Henniker, UK — Henniker Plasma, a leading manufacturer of plasma treatment systems, announces the launch of itsStratus Plasma Manufacturing Cell range — a fully integrated, turnkey solution that combines advanced atmospheric plasma surface preparation with robotic automation.
2D materials, are crystalline solids consisting of a single layer of atoms. These materials have unique properties due to their thickness being limited in one dimension, which makes them ideal for various applications including optoelectronics, energy generation, and high-performance composites. As an example, the most widely studied 2D material, graphene, has exceptional conductivity and is stronger than steel.
A recent preprint published on bioRxiv explores the structural organisation and selective packaging mechanisms of the influenza A virus genome using a high-throughput DNA-PAINT approach. Researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick analysed more than 10,000 individual virus particles, gaining insights into how influenza genome segments interact and assemble during viral replication.
A recent study from Loughborough University demonstrates the impact of organosilane surface modifications on cardiovascular implants. The research focuses on modifying surfaces with various silane groups such as amine, methyl, and thiol to selectively enhance endothelial cell growth while suppressing smooth muscle cell proliferation. This dual effect helps address two critical issues in cardiovascular implants: improving endothelialization and preventing thrombosis.
For a limited time only, Henniker Plasma is offering incredible upgrades when you purchase from our range of HPT plasma systems. Take advantage of these exclusive offers, valid until the end of 2024!
Recent advancements in memristor technology highlight the potential of monolayer graphene electrodes in electronic devices. A recent study has successfully demonstrated the fabrication of a memristor featuring a monolayer graphene electrode directly deposited onto sapphire substrates using a commercially available metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) system. The incorporation of theHenniker HPT-100 plasma system in the fabrication process allows for batch production, accommodating up to 37 wafers simultaneously, showcasing a scalable approach to device manufacturing.