University of Notre Dame Du Lac

Zachary Gagnon

Hsueh-Chia Chang

Satyajyoti Senapati

Sagnik Basuray

Siddharth Maheshwari

Satyajyoti Senpati

Leslie Yeo

Jason Gordon

Shau-Chun (Paul) Wang

Dmitri Lastochkin

Disclosed are example methods and devices for detecting one or more targets. An example method includes placing a sample including a first target with in a microfluidic device and hybridizing a plurality of copies of the first target with a plurality of nanostructures. The example method includes applying an electric current to the plurality of nanostructures and using an electric field created by the electric current to move the plurality of nanostructures. In addition, the plurality of nanostructures are sorted and evaluated to determine at least one of a presence, an absence, or a quantity of the first target.

Microfluidic platforms for multi-target detection

The present invention provides an electrospray device using a high frequency alternating current (AC) above 10 kHz to generate fine micron sized drops. The apparatus generally functions by applying a high frequency alternating current electric field across one or more micro-needles and one or more conducting elements. The present invention may be used to generate aerosol drops for respiratory drug delivery or as a microencapsulation technique for the encapsulation of drugs, DNA, protein, osteogenic or dermatological growth factors, bacteria, viruses, immobilized enzyme receptors and fluorescent particles for controlled release drug delivery, tissue or bone engineering, clinical or environmental field testing and as biosensors for clinical or drug monitoring. In addition, the present invention may be used to synthesize biodegradable fibers as bioscaffolds for tissue engineering, surgical sutures or medical gauze that enhance blood coagulation, and further may be encapsulated by other agents.

Method and apparatus for AC electrospray

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for use in rapid particle transportation, separation, focusing, characterization, and release. Dielectrophoresis and electro-osmotic driven fluid convection are used independently or in tandem as the driving forces for particle manipulation and on occasion characterization. Although dielectrophoresis has been acknowledged for decades as a powerful technique for particle manipulation and characterization, long processing times and measurement inaccuracies that emerge from using disjointed electrodes have limited its usefulness in diagnostic kits. The present invention provides for a continuous wire that enables fluid flow patterns and dielectrophoretic forces with optimal configurations for rapid and sensitive particle manipulation and characterization.

Method and apparatus for rapid particle manipulation and characterization

Growing community of inventors

Notre Dame, IN, United States of America

Zachary Gagnon