Technology Description
This technology is a lab-on-chip sensor incorporating aspects of both thin film chromatography and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy as well as microchannel architecture to provide extremely high sensitivity detection of compounds in a mixed sample. A diatomite biosilica material functions as both the stationary phase for thin layer chromatography (TLC) and also provides Raman enhancement. Formed into discrete microchannels, this sensor can separate compounds in a mixed sample and achieve detection sensitivity on the order of 1 part per billion (ppb).
Features & Benefits
Applications
Background of Invention
There is an increasing demand for accurate and rapid on-site detection and identification of a variety of chemical and biological targets in many applications. For example, ultra-sensitive detection of toxins and contaminants is important for health care, food safety, and security. Although techniques like high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are accurate and reliable, they are also expensive, time consuming, require skilled personnel, and are typically performed on a laboratory bench. Coupled with a separation technique, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has gained considerable interest as a highly sensitive detection method, able to offer detection and identification comparable to or superior to alternative techniques, at a lower cost.
Status
Available for development and licensing opportunities