ID: 2013-083 A new and improved way to sense the contents in chemicals.
Principal Investigator: Brian Iverson
This invention uses a sensor and new nano-technology to recognize the moleclues when a fluid passes through it. For example, it allows the detection of gluose levels in bodily fluids. The glucose is sensed by the device as it binds to a functionalized surface, releases electrons in the process and creates a measurable detection signal in the form of a current. This could be a break through in the way that people manage their diabetes.
The high surface area to volume ratio structures employed in this work provide intimate contact between the analyte suspension and the sensing surface in a flowing environment. The high surface area to volume ratio and intimate contact between fluid and sensing surface increases sensor sensitivity.
About the Market:
One application of sensors is found in the monitoring of glucose levels in the body as a mechanism to manage diabetes or provide continuous flow detection during hospitalization. Approximately 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes, or just over 8% of the total population. It is estimated that another 79 million people have prediabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. This metabolic disorder is a result blood glucose concentrations outside of the normal range of 4.4-6.6 mM. As hydrogen peroxide can be formed in the process of glucose detection, the sensor can also be used to detect or decompose hydrogen peroxide. This may be used by chemical processing plants. Further, in separation technologies where a specific analyte needs to be removed from the fluid, the scaffold could act as a filter for chemical or biological separation.
For more information, contact 801-422-6266
Links and Resources