Publications

Abstract not provided.

This report describes the continued development of a low-power, portable detector for the rapid identification of pathogens such as B. anthracis and smallpox. Based on our successful demonstration of the continuous filter/concentrator inlet, we believe strongly that the inlet section will enable differentiation between viable and non-viable populations, between types of cells, and between pathogens and background contamination. Selective, continuous focusing of particles in a microstream enables highly selective and sensitive identification using fluorescently labeled antibodies and other receptors such as peptides, aptamers, or small ligands to minimize false positives. Processes such as mixing and lysing will also benefit from the highly localized particle streams. The concentrator is based on faceted prisms to contract microfluidic flows while maintaining uniform flowfields. The resulting interfaces, capable of high throughput, serve as high-, low-, and band-pass filters to direct selected bioparticles to a rapid, affinity-based detection system. The proposed device is superior to existing array-based detectors as antibody-pathogen binding can be accomplished in seconds rather than tens of minutes or even hours. The system is being designed to interface with aerosol collectors under development by the National Laboratories or commercial systems. The focused stream is designed to be interrogated using diode lasers to differentiate pathogens by light scattering. Identification of particles is done using fluorescently labeled antibodies to tag the particles, followed by multiplexed laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection (achieved by labeling each antibody with a different dye).

Flow patterns with both recirculating and unidirectional characteristics are useful for controlled mixing and pumping within microfluidic devices. We have developed a fabrication process that converts injection-molded polymer chips into devices that demonstrate induced-charge electroosmosis (ICEO) effects (1,2) in AC fields. Polymeric insulating posts are coated with metal to produce a nonuniform zeta potential under an applied electric field. Induced flows are analyzed by particle image velocimetry. Stable, recirculating flow patterns are discussed, along with their potential to produce well-characterized and reversible streamlines for on-chip mixing in chemical separation and synthesis devices. Asymmetric conductive features can bias the flow direction, generating unidirectional pumping in an AC field. This pumping approach will be discussed in comparison with DC electrokinetic pumps we have studied.

Abstract not provided.