SensoChip Research Program

The SensorChip research activity focuses on the field of nanobioelectronic which is a rapidly developing field aimed at integrating nano- and biomaterials with electronic transducers.

Current research projects:   

Analyst-Hot Paper! 

The issue of how to couple a microchip to the macroworld is on of the biggest challenges in Microsystems technology. We recently developed a "Fast and Simple Introduction for Capillary-Electrophoresis Microsystems".

Sensors: are small devices that provide real-time, on-site detection and analysis and often eliminate the need for sample collection, preparation and  laboratory analysis.  Such devices rely on the judicious and intimate coupling of a chemical or biological recognition layer and a physical transducer (e.g. electrode, fiber optic).  The goal is to convert the selective chemical or biological recognition event into a useful electrical signal.  The development of advanced chemical sensors and biosensors thus requires proper attention to both the recognition layer and the physical transducer, as well as to the coupling of these recognition and transduction events.  We are exploring the fundamental aspects of the recognition and transduction events, developing and characterizing new coating materials and electrode transducers, designing new microfluidic chips and microsensors for clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring or industrial process control, and build compact instruments for field measurement.

Microchips: The development of microscale (chip-based) separation devices, particularly micromachined capillary electrophoresis (CE) chips, have witnessed an explosive growth in recent years. Such miniaturized devices represent the ability to shrink conventional "bench-top" separation systems with major advantages of speed, cost, portability, and solvent/sample consumption. As the field of chip-based separation microsystems continues its rapid growth, there are urgent needs for developing compatible detection modes. Much of the work on CE microchips uses laser-fluorescnce detection. Yet, such detection requires a large and expensive supporting optical system, and is limited to analytes that fluoresce or amenable to derivatization with a fluorophore. Electrochemistry offers  a considerable promise for detection in micromachined CE chips. Such detection offers remarkable sensitivity (comparable to that of fluorescence), tunable selectivity, and low-volume requirements. Particularly attractive for on-chip applications is the inherent miniaturization of electrochemical  devices (and of the control instrumentation), their low-power requirements, extremely low cost, and high compatibility with advanced micromachining and microfabrication technologies.

Figure 1

An underwater vehicle for tracking explosives
Figure 2 Various configurations of disposable enzyme electrodes fabricated in NMSU
Figure 3 Illustration of the new electrical and microparticle based assays for DNA
Figure 4 DNA-Linked particle assembly of electroactive beads for u 
DNA hybridization detection
Figure 5 Novel Biomaterials: Nucleic-acid doped conducting polymers. 
QCM Characterization.
Figure 6 NMSU Glucose Biosensor
Figure 7

Lab-on-a-chip:
Integration of Multiple Functional Elements to Obtain Complete Assay
Figure 8

On-Chip Microanalytical System
Figure 9

NMSU "Lab-on-a-Chip" System
Figure 10 Microchip Response to a Mixture of Amino Acids
Figure 11 'Anti-terrorist' Microchip Detection of Organic Explosives
Figure 12 On-chip integration of enzymatic and immunoassays
Figure 13 Hard-working students and post doc in the microchip lab

Figure 1. An underwater vehicle for tracking explosives

Figure 2. Various configurations of disposable enzyme electrodes fabricated in NMSU

Figures 3. Illustration of the new electrical and microparticle based assays for DNA

Figure 4. DNA-Linked particle assembly of electroactive beads for u 
DNA hybridization detection

Figure 5. Novel Biomaterials: Nucleic-acid doped conducting polymers. 
QCM Characterization.

Figure 6. NMSU Glucose Biosensor

Figure 7. Lab-on-a-chip:
Integration of Multiple Functional Elements to Obtain Complete Assay

Figure 8. On-Chip Microanalytical System

Figure 9. NMSU "Lab-on-a-Chip" System.

Figure 10. Microchip Response to a Mixture of Amino Acids

COUNTER-TERRORISM DETECTION

Figure 11. 'Anti-terrorist' Microchip Detection of Organic Explosives

Figure 12. On-chip integration of enzymatic and immunoassays

Figure 13. Hard-working students and post doc in the microchip lab

The research has been supported by numerous grants from various federal agencies (NSF, NIH, CDC, EPA, DOE, NASA, Army, Navy, Sandia, USDA, ONR, Battelle, Dept. of Interior, Dept. of Justice) and industrial sponsors (Kodak, Dow, Dupont, Lifescan, IL, Cygness, Novo Nordisk, Pioneer, Medisense, ETG) and other organizations (ACS-PRF, American Heart Association).

Collaboration:
We are interested in collaborating with industrial or governmental partners for the development of solutions to practical, analytical and sensor problems.  Our thick-film microfabrication facility also provides a  tailor-made preparation of screen-printed electrodes.

Our research is constantly resulting in new patented technology which can be licensed.  Please contact us for more details of how you can access our patents.

For Further Information:
Please contact:
    Prof. Joseph Wang
    Phone: (505) 646-2140
    Fax: (505) 646-6033
    E-mail: joewang@nmsu.edu

 

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