Microsphere-Based Spectroscopic Instruments

Project Information

Principal Investigator	Bruce Cumming
Institution	Nomadics, Inc.
Project URL	View
Relevance to Implications	Marginal
Class of Nanomaterial	Generic
Impact Sector	Human Health
Broad Research Categories	Hazard
NNI identifier

Funding Information

Country	USA
Anticipated Total Funding	$1,948,484.00
Annual Funding	$649,494.67
Funding Source	NIST/ATP
Funding Mechanism	Extramural
Funding Sector	Government
Start Year	2004
Anticipated End Year	2007

Abstract/Summary

Absorbance spectroscopy - identification of a substance based on its pattern of absorbing certain wavelengths of light - has long been used for chemical analyses, from blood tests to manufacturing process control. However, the technique’s sensitivity and utility are limited by the need for a relatively long light path through a sample (to ensure a detectable amount of absorbance), requiring a relatively large device and sample size. Nomadics plans a two-year project to develop and demonstrate an unusually sensitive spectroscopic detection system for use in micro- and nanofluidics devices capable of analyzing biomolecules. Nomadics has demonstrated the use of microspheres for long-pathlength absorbance spectroscopy of liquids and proposes to extend the approach by performing such measurements within a microfluidic chip system. Achieving repeatable and stable operation of the integrated system will be a principal challenge. The combined system would enable microscale colorimetric assays and direct detection of proteins that would be faster and cheaper than conventional methods. ATP funding is necessary because of the early stage of the technology development and its dissimilarity to currently employed approaches. ATP support will accelerate the project by at least two years, and if successful the project could boost efficiency in a variety of analytical systems, including “lab on a chip” devices, which have a growing world market expected to exceed $3 billion this year. A 100-fold increase in the efficiency of systems used to screen potential pharmaceuticals could save an estimated $1 billion annually now spent on development failures as well as reduce drug development costs by 25 percent (or $200 million per drug). Other applications of the technology include point-of-care testing, environmental analyses, and industrial process monitoring.