CEO Mission: To improve human life by helping scientists succeed.

Nicoya was founded in 2012 when nanotechnology graduate student, Ryan Denomme encountered a recurring problem – researchers don't have access to the cutting-edge technology needed to advance their discoveries. It became his goal to use nanotechnology to help reduce the cost and complexity commonly associated with scientific instruments, making them accessible to every scientist.

Ryan's vision for a low cost, personal device to provide high quality, label-free interaction analysis was realized in 2015 when his company Nicoya, created OpenSPR. OpenSPR was a first of its kind benchtop surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument that can support multiple applications and provide repeatable quality data to complete a researcher's workflow. A year later Nicoya launched a fully automated version called OpenSPR-XT.

Alto: The world's first digital high-throughput benchtop SPR system

Last year Nicoya was ready to take their research platform to a new level with Alto- the world's first digital microfluidics system. Alto is a fully-automated benchtop surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system, that measures the interactions between molecules in real-time without the use of labels. It does this by integrating digital microfluidics, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology.

While Nicoya's first two products have been very successful, the Nicoya team was aware that the form factor usability and workflow could be a more intuitive experience so they decided to partner with a professional design firm. Nicoya selected DDSTUDIO, a human centered design firm known for commercializing meaningful new technology, as their chosen Design partner. DDSTUDIO was a perfect fit for Nicoya's product needs and collaborative company culture. The Nicoya team was committed to the design process and passionate to achieve an iconic design that represented their brand values.

They wanted the visual aesthetic to reflect the cutting edge digital microfluidic technology and the user experience to deliver a radically improved workflow. The form factor needed to be thoughtfully compact and designed to be manufactured at an affordable price point-all in less than three months!

Alto was launched January 2020, and has received rave reviews. Alto's sleek benchtop design represents the futuristic technology. It does not include traditional SPR accessories like pumps, valves or tubing to complicate researcher workflow. Alto expedites the research journey by providing protein interaction data in real time empowering biotechnology/biopharma companies and academic labs to discover the solutions to global diseases faster. "The device significantly reduces the hands-on time scientists go through to get high-quality SPR data," said Nicoya CTO Arjun Sudarsan. "The future of drug discovery is digital and Alto is very well positioned to lead the way," he added."

DDSTUDIO is thrilled to have partnered with the Nicoya team to design the Alto physical device, and excited to now explore the digital touchpoints as part of a holistic experience.

Together we designed an instrument that empowers science to succeed.

Design Intent-Empathy

Alto users are lab researchers working hard every day to better understand human diseases and discover drugs to improve human life. They have an analytical mindset, and they focus on the technical details of their research. Nicoya wanted their product to remind them of their passion and purpose - to connect with our users on an emotional level by exuding positivity, inspiration, drive, trust.

We want the product to integrate into, and become part of the overall scientific research experience. Researchers will often adopt a device like this for personal use, multiple times during the day. This becomes more personal than another visited lab instrument.
We augmented existing workflows and emotional behavior to build a logical journey that informs an immediately understandable interaction.
Although we wanted a striking and appropriate image, we also wanted the product to recede when in use, so the researcher can focus completely on the task in hand and maintain flow - accentuating Defining Moments and Peak activities (relationships of displayed information to a successful procedure, loading and confirmation).
It is also very important to establish Brand equity with products that people want to call their own. This will often be the only Nicoya touch point outside of their web site. The instrument image establishes a feeling of confidence and sophistication. The product interaction generates further attraction with an intuitive UI, substantial overall feel and smooth door transport (slides inside the machine). This device is appropriate from beginner to expert user.

Design Process: Opportunity Space

Research: observation

We work very closely with our clients and their users. There was an existing 'prototype' machine, so we were able to observe it in use in its environment:
Pipetting – keeping this Stable with no spillage
Cartridge Access – we could see that this needs to be as open as possible
Door interaction – there is a perception that this should not be manual, but part of an automatic sequence
Display placement – It was on a PC, there was a massive advantage directly relating the display to the cartridge
Privacy and Data collection – this should still be done privately on a PC.
Research: Lab interviews / feedback
Reviewed the Interviews. Deeper dive into cleaning, size, weight.
Discussed the entire workflow. Pre-Experiment to post (see workflow previous page).
Component Layouts discussed. Can we challenge components around / repackage? Depends. Airflow is a big factor.
Display – all concepts leaning to having display towards top, and maybe front.

Research: Product, Competitors
We also observed other negative implications (opportunities for improvement):
USB port access in front/back, power buttons (USB must be in front – power can be on the top edge)
Instrument noise and other implications (a series of internal baffles was evaluated)
Air flow considerations (we moved this front-to-back and added as a decorative element to the simple appearance)

Design Process: Opportunity Space

Use Cases and Workflow:

Pre-Experiment
PC's are the preference for pre-data work.
Suggestions are templates, (competitors use wizards) and ways to use former experiments to begin a new experiment.
Have presets and then adjust a desired setting.
In-Experiment
Cartridge Preparation is focal. Do in stable location.
Guide the user or track the user's decisions with the cartridge.
Instruction Videos on display would be beneficial.
The benefit of a touch display is user guidance.
Access concerns on spillage, proper technique.
Hard to present real-time information in-progress. (Do scientists want this?)
Wireless connection to the fuller workflow (pre / post) is important to perceive Alto as simple.
Provide multiple ways to connect to PC.
Post-Experiment
PCs are the preference for post data work.
Discussed savings your experiment for future use.
Suggestions are templates, (competitors use wizards) and ways to use former experiments to begin a new experiment.
Have presets and then adjust a desired setting

Design Process: Innovation Space

Innovation, Usability and image:

Following a one-day workshop with all stakeholders, we were able to tighten the development brief and align on a general direction. We proceeded, as usual, through numerous mock-ups and sketches, presenting and discussing as needed. One of the ah-ha moments was opening up the idea of the plate cover sliding inside the machine above the plate for loading, then swapping places with the plate as it is transported inside the machine. This made for an elegant solution to what could have been a clunky manual hinged door.

Simplicity, truth to materials together with contrasting architectural forms became the agreed direction. This visually breaks down the depth of the instrument while giving a 'display support' backdrop to frame and emphasize the main interaction area.

Innovation, Materials exploration:

The use of a machined, etched and anodized 'sample plate' surface set the scene for the complete instrument. The front cover is laser-cut aluminum with the same finishes. The rear is a mix of sheet metal (for flat side surfaces), and moldings for display bezel and rear cover. Overall finishes are matched for texture and color.

Implementation: Working with CM

Nicoya has an established CM in Singapore, with a bias towards precision instrumentation. It was important to set an early rapport with the appropriate team members as this was a fast-track development. We helped establish all production processes and sequence of assembly (so we could have precision joints at all user facing component interfaces) and no visible fasteners. The Deck is assembled first to orient and tolerance the Deck, Door, Transport and tolerance plate positioning inside the instrument. The front covers are then added with internal fasteners. The final piece is a rear molding through which fine adjustments can be made.

Summary:

All stakeholders were solidly behind the ID / image backed by usability. The work-platform is an accessible height and the touch display is set at a convenient angle behind the work area for interaction and information presentation.
We envisioned a striking iconic look with the high contrast of a dark display column set against a CNC machined aluminum work area. There is a feeling of purpose and upward movement. The fit and finish are highly detailed. The precise 'instrument look' supports the idea of exact research a step at a time.