| WARF: P02097US |  |
| Method and Apparatus for Measuring the Environment within a Microfluidic Device |
| INVENTORS | • | David Beebe, Jaisree Moorthy |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a simple and inexpensive apparatus for monitoring the environment within a microfluidic device.
OVERVIEW
Microfluidic systems are used for an increasing number of applications, including the evaluation of water purity and determination of the pH range of fluid samples. Several methods have been developed to detect and monitor the environment inside these micron-sized devices; however, they generally require complex instrumentation, are difficult to fabricate, need large power sources and are not portable.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive apparatus for monitoring the environment within a microfluidic device. The apparatus displays a positive/negative type of readout and is directly fabricated within the microchannel. The readout structure, which consists of dyes imbedded within a hydrogel matrix, functions as both a sensor and a display unit. When specific agents are present, the hydrogel structure swells and releases the dye molecules. Both the size and color of the readout structure change in response to the presence of a predetermined amount of a specific chemical or agent.
APPLICATIONS
- Rapid screening of large numbers of compounds
KEY BENEFITS
- Rapid – much faster than current methods
- Inexpensive – no need for expensive equipment, such as a spectrometer, for detection
- Easily fabricated
- Portable – no batteries or other power sources required
- Simple – no need for complex instrumentation
- Color change can be seen by the unaided human eye.
- A combinatorial readout sensitive to more than one agent can be fabricated.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Intellectual Property Status
Tech Fields
Micro & Nanotech - Microfluidics
Analytical Instrumentation - Microfluidics
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
