University of Arkansas

Luna Innovations Inc.

Yongcheng Liu

Yanbin Li

Shufang Luo

Jennifer L Elster

Artur Sucheta

The present invention is directed to satisfying the need to detect microbial contamination of food products. The described bioseparator/bioreactor coupled with an optical/electrochemical biosensor was able to specifically detectO157:H7 from 8.8&#xd7;10to 8.8&#xd7;10CFU/ml in 2.5 hours without any enrichment. Using this invention, concentrations of S. Typhimurium ranging from 8.6&#xd7;10to 8.6&#xd7;10CFU/ml in pure culture were detected in 2 hours without any enrichment. The invention may also be used for the detection of S. Seftenberg, which has the same sensitivity as S. Typhimurium. Other pathogens such asand S. Heidleberg did not interfere with the detection. The optimum inner diameter of the 25 cm long column for the detection ofO157:H7 is 250 &#x3bc;m. The detection limit for other microbial pathogens may be controlled by changing the length of capillary columns, using higher concentration of the labeled antibodies, altering the flow rate and concentration of the substrate, and increasing the reaction temperature to 37&#xb0; C.

Capillary-column-based bioseparator/bioreactor with an optical/electrochemical detector for detection of microbial pathogens

Various exemplary embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for sensing moisture are disclosed, including at least one moisture sensor that comprises an optical fiber, a long period grating formed in at least a portion of the optical fiber, and a layer of PEI bonded to the long period grating. One exemplary embodiment comprises a system for measuring humidity, the system comprising an optical fiber moisture sensor having a mono-layer of PEI covalently-bonded to an outer surface of said optical fiber, a processor coupled to said optical fiber moisture sensor, and a moisture indicator coupled to said processor.

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Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

Yongcheng Liu