|
Fatty acids have long been molecules of environmental, biomedical, agricultural, and industrial importance. The analysis or identification of bacteria based on the ability to differentiate one type of microorganism from another by using fatty acid content and distribution is well known.
Fatty acid analysis using Gas Chromatography (GC) has been a challenge because of their high molecular weight and low volatility. The conversion of the fatty acid to the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is performed to increase volatility: A method of extracting, methylating, and analyzing fatty acid content has been available for some years using a bench top commercial GC. The advantages of a miniaturized GC system with microfabricated device elements over a traditional GC are low power requirements, low cost, hand-held, and lightweight.
For more information, select from the following categories below or download the brochure (pdf):
Categories:
Sandia's Goal and Results:
Utilize unique microfabrication facitlities / skills to reduce size, weight, power of existing concepts for improvements in field portability and performance.
A prototype system incorporating the µ-pyrolyzer, µ-GC column, and miniature IMS has been assembled. |
Laptop PC |
SNL system
‹ 0.8 W pyro
‹ 6 W running (ramp 60-130°C est.)
8 lbs. (incl. laptop, not power source)
Non-regulated RAD source (20µCi) |
Please address comments or questions to BioNano@sandia.gov.
|
